Archaeology Chapter 9: Early Hominins in Europe

European Hominin Sites:

Orce, Spain

Barranco Leon

1 hominin tooth.

also simple Oldowan stone tools

1.4 mya and dated by various
methods:

small mammal Biochronology

Paleomagnetism (more on this below)

oldest evidence for hominins in Europe

Atapuerca, Spain

Atapuerca Hills Cave Locations

Gran Dolina

Sima Del Elefante

oldest evidence for hominins in Europe

Dating methods:

Absolute, chronometric, or radiometric dating

Biochronology

Paleomagnetism

Study of ancient magnetic fields.

How can we use this to date sites?

particles align with whichever pole
(North or South) is positive at the time

Compacted sediments = partice orientation is locked in.

Sediments oriented north = relatively recent, sediments oriented south = at least 780,000 years old.

Homo Heidelbergensis

Acheulian handaxe technology :

Mauer, Germany

"Type fossil" of H. Heidelbergensis.

Brought with H. Heidelbergensis from Africa (or re - invented in Europe).

massive lower jaw with moderately-sized teeth

~ 600,000 years ago.

Petralona, Greece

cranial capacity = 1230 cc

650 - 250,000 years ago.

Postcrania

H. Heidelbergensis = similar muscles and stature to humans. BUT, H. Heidelbergensis = more robust and muscular than humans.

Any evidence of injuries?

Some bones had pre-mortem fractures – these occurred some time before death and had time to heal.