Active percussion tools from the Oldowan site of Barranco León (Orce, Andalusia, Spain): The fundamental role of pounding activities in hominin lifeways

摘要: Abstract Dated to 1.4 Mya, the Barranco Leon site (Orce, Andalusia, Spain) is currently oldest and richest late Lower Pleistocene stone tool assemblage discovered so far in Europe. Archeological paleontological remains are found clearly associated lacustrine deposits traversed by a small channel. This paper provides new data about lithic from level D, focusing on abundant active percussion implements that form part of highly divers set limestone macro-tools unique this assemblage. Morpho-technological experimental analysis these tools allows us hypothesize kinds activities might have been carried out hominins at site. Experimental work define percussive trace morphologies identify types collection, beyond those classical, ellipsoidal morphology. Analysis surfaces used for demonstrates that, while some could knapping, other hammer not well adapted kind activity. The morphology type damage displayed their provide criteria with which widen activity range them. study instruments contributes essential buttress growing interest macro component Oldowan toolkits African Eurasian sites possible uses.