1.4–1.2 million-year-old Oldowan tools and fauna at Sierra de Atapuerca. More than 1,000 stone tools found at Sierra de 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
Sierra de 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. 🪨
Key Facts
- More than 1,000 stone tools found at Sierra de 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
Related site: Archaeological Site of Atapuerca — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: The First Humans To Venture North by Stefan Milo