A new Lower Pleistocene archeological site in Europe (Vallparadís, Barcelona, Spain)

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0913856107
• Publication Date: 2010-03-16T03:59:34Z
• Authors: Kenneth Martínez; Joan Garcia; Eudald Carbonell; Jordi Agustí; Jean-Jaques Bahain; Hugues-Alexandre ...; Francesc Burjachs; Isabel Cáceres; Mathieu Duval; Christophe Falguères; Manuel Gómez; Rosa Huguet
• Keywords: Early Pleistocene; Assemblage (archaeology); Sequence (biology)

Here we report the discovery of a new late Lower Pleistocene site named Vallparadís (Barcelona, Spain) that produced rich archeological and paleontological sequence dated from upper boundary Jaramillo subchron to early Middle Pleistocene. This deposit contained main layer with numerous artifacts macromammalian assemblage, some which bore cut marks, could indicate hominins had access carcasses. Paleomagnetic analysis, electron spin resonance-uranium series (ESR-US), biostratigraphic chronological position macro- micromammal lithic assemblages this reinforce proposal inhabited Europe during The provides key information on successful adaptation European preceded well-known fossil population Atapuerca succeeded finds Orce basin. Hence, enables us close major gap in prehistory Iberia. According paper available data these other sites, propose Mediterranean Western was repeatedly perhaps continuously occupied Matuyama chron.