Archaeological Site of Atapuerca in Spain yielded over 1,000 Oldowan-style stone tools dated 1.4-1.2 million years ago. Archaeologists refitted flakes to reconstruct removal sequences. Butchered elephants, rhinos, deer, horses, hyenas, and hippos raise debate over hunting versus scavenging. Notably, no fire evidence was found at the site. 🪨
1.4–1.2 million-year-old Oldowan tools and fauna at Archaeological Site of Atapuerca
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Key facts
- More than 1,000 stone tools found at Archaeological Site of Atapuerca in Spain, dated between 1.4 and 1.2 million years old
- Tools are Oldowan-style: simple flakes removed from cores and hammerstones, similar to tools used since 3 million years ago
- Archaeologists refitted some tools to reconstruct flake removal sequences
- Butchered animal remains include elephants, rhinoceroses, deer, horses, hyenas, and hippopotamuses
- Debate over whether hominins hunted or scavenged these large animals, or bullied carnivores off kills
- No evidence of fire use at the site
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