Shedding light on the Early Pleistocene of TD6 (Gran Dolina, Atapuerca, Spain): The technological sequence and occupational inferences

A comprehensive analysis of the lithic assemblage from TD6 at Gran Dolina, Atapuerca, reveals two distinct stages of hominin occupation during the Early Pleistocene. The study, which includes previously unstudied subunits TD6.3 and TD6.1 alongside the better-known TD6.2, demonstrates a shift from light, limited occupation in the oldest subunit to a rich, varied assemblage suggesting the cave's establishment as a significant landmark. Despite these occupational differences, the technological sequence remains remarkably homogeneous throughout, indicating consistent hominin strategies. The discovery of 12 lithic refit groups and the in situ nature of the assemblage challenges previous interpretations that suggested an ex situ origin, highlighting the high preservation potential at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mosquera, M., Ollé, A., Rodríguez-Álvarez, X. P., & Carbonell, E. (2018). Shedding light on the Early Pleistocene of TD6 (Gran Dolina, Atapuerca, Spain): The technological sequence and occupational inferences. Plos One, 13(1), e0190889. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0190889