Late Middle Pleistocene Occupations and Adaptations at Almonda, Estremadura, Portugal

在国家科学基金会的支持下，安东尼·马克斯博士和合作者将在位于葡萄牙埃斯特雷马杜拉地区的Galeria Pesada考古遗址进行两个实地研究季节。Galeria是位于断层结构东南向悬崖中的许多填充洞穴之一。对一系列地下隧道的检查显示存在旧石器时代的文物，在NSF的支持下，马克斯博士在几个填充区域进行了试挖掘，试图找到原位材料。在Galeria Pesada的一个测试坑揭示了一系列的叠加地层，富含岩屑和生物成因的动物群遗骸。类型学分析以及初步的电子自旋共振测年表明，该网站可以被分配到中更新世晚期，因此记录了从旧石器时代早期到中期文化的转变。由于只有一小块区域被挖掘出来，相对较少的文物被发现，马克斯博士将在两个野外季节的过程中打开一个更大的区域。增加石制样品的数量将使他能够：对组合及其组成部分提供准确和全面的描述;测量整个组合的技术和类型连续性和变化的性质和程度;并测试不同的原材料导致石制技术差异的命题。大型和小型动物的遗骸都有代表性，通过他们的分析，马克斯博士将试图重建生存策略，并确定有目的的狩猎，而不是拾荒的程度。50万年前，尽管考古学家已经大致追踪了文化变迁的主要阶段，但在理解上仍然存在重大差距。早期的居民生产了一种工业，其中包括大型双面工作的“手斧”，类似于旧大陆其他地区的手斧。在后来的某个日期，出现了独特的基于薄片的工业，这些工业发展成为与尼安德特人有关的工业。然而，考古学家不明白这种转变是如何发生的-它是渐进的还是突然的，它是涉及替换还是原地发展。尼安德特人和他们的祖先的能力存在激烈的分歧，特别是他们狩猎大型动物的能力。佩萨达画廊的沉积物跨越了这一关键时期，马克博士的研究有可能为人类发展的这一重要时期提供新的线索。

With National Science Foundation support Dr. Anthony Marks and collaborators will conduct two field seasons of research at the archaeological site of Galeria Pesada, located in the Estremadura region of Portugal. The Galeria is one of a number of infilled cavities located in a fault structured southeast-facing cliff. Examination of a series of underground tunnels revealed the presence of Paleolithic artifacts and with NSF support Dr. Marks conducted trial excavations in several infilled areas in an attempt to locate in situ material. A test pit in the Galeria Pesada revealed a series of superimposed strata rich in both lithic and anthropogenically modified faunal remains. Typological analysis as well as preliminary electron spin resonance dating indicates that the site can be assigned to the late Middle Pleistocene and therefore documents the shift from Lower to Middle Paleolithic cultures. Because only a small area has been excavated and relatively few artifacts recovered, Dr. Marks will, over the course of two field seasons open a larger area. Increased lithic sample size will allow him to: provide an accurate and comprehensive description of the assemblages and their constituent parts; measure the nature and degree of technological and typological continuity and change throughout the assemblages; and test the proposition that different raw materials are responsible for differences in lithic manufacture techniques. Remains of both large and small animals are represented and through their analysis Dr. Marks will attempt to reconstruct subsistence strategies and determine the extent to which purposeful hunting, as opposed to scavenging was practiced.Western Europe was first inhabited by hominids (early humans) ca. 500,000 years ago and although archaeologists have traced in broad outline major stages of culture change significant gaps in understanding remain. Early inhabitants produced an industry which included large bifacially worked "hand axes" similar to those found in other regions of the Old World. At some later date distinct flake based industries appeared and these developed into the industry associated with Neanderthal peoples. Archaeologists however do not understand how this transition took place - whether it was gradual or abrupt and whether it involved replacement or in situ development. Lively disagreement exists on the capabilities of Neanderthals and their predecessors, especially their ability to hunt large animals. The deposits at the Galeria Pesada span this crucial period and Dr. Mark's research, has the potential to shed new light on this important period of human development.