A matter of choice: Raw material specialisation at the Middle Pleistocene kill-butchering site of Gran Dolina TD10.2 (Atapuerca, Spain)

Abstract

The Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain) offers a rich diversity and abundance of abiotic resources which, coupled with its strategic location as a natural transit route and ecological crossroads, has contributed to the high concentration of archaeological sites in the area. The Pleistocene archaeological deposits of Atapuerca exhibit a relatively uniform raw material procurement pattern, primarily focused on the exploitation of local chert from the summit and slopes of the ridge, and quartzite, sandstone, and quartz from the surrounding fluvial terraces. The TD10.2-BB sublevel of Gran Dolina is, however, an exception. Interpreted as a monospecific bison kill-butchering site, this deposit reveals an almost exclusive reliance on chert, indicating a raw material selection strategy unparalleled in other Atapuerca contexts. This study revisits traditional hypotheses regarding lithic procurement to explore the factors underlying this distinctive pattern. Our analysis suggests that the predominance of chert in TD10.2-BB reflects a targeted adaptation in the use of resources, with raw material procurement shifting from fluvial terraces to the Sierra's uplands. We propose that this strategy is closely linked to the site's functional role as a specialised kill-butchery location and the distribution of bison herds during hunting events. Ultimately, this case illustrates the complex interplay between lithic resource management, technological choices, and social organisation. The raw material specialisation observed in TD10.2-BB exemplifies the adaptive strategies of the group occupying this Middle Pleistocene site, tying their resource procurement dynamics and technological decisions to the functional requirements of subsistence tasks and the prevailing ecological and environmental conditions.