Level TE9c of Sima del Elefante (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain): A comprehensive approach

摘要: Level TE9c of the Sima del Elefante site (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain) is one oldest sites with evidence human occupation in western Europe. We began excavating level 2003, and work there continues today. The studies archaeology, palaeontology geology from this locality have provided an indispensable dataset which to capture a picture scenario origin humans Based on these data, we raise discuss several topics, such as possible lineage first hominins that inhabited Europe; their capacity active hunting or scavenging abilities; whether subsistence strategies were successful; what environment habitats where hominin groups settled was like. aim paper present results discussions obtained research team establish primary features early occupations southwestern Tentatively, may conclude, based events recorded at TE9c, Iberian peninsula around 1.2 Ma they used caves Sierra Atapuerca shelters probably during activities; cavities surrounded by Mediterranean forest, rivers water ponds, varied suggested rich diverse assemblage fossils vertebrates (fish, amphibians reptiles, birds, large small mammals); possibly caught found surroundings.