Researchers have made important archaeological discoveries in the province of Tarragona. The Barranc de la Boella (La Canonja) is proving to be a true breeding ground for prehistoric advanced technology. About 900,000 years ago, the Hominini (hominids, bipedal primates with an upright posture) who inhabited this region began to develop the first advanced stone tools in Europe.
Their capacity for innovation has surprised researchers at the Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social (IPHES-CERCA). The Hominini not only developed stone tools, but they also managed raw materials, devised more advanced chisel strategies, and transported the tools.
Result of several migration waves
According to the experts, these creations would be the result of several groups of Hominini who came from Africa. They suspect that there was an early spread of Achelian technology (the first lithic culture with stones worked on two sides) from Africa about 1.4 million years ago.
Milestone and new perspective
The stone tools that these Hominini made between 900,000 and 780,000 years ago have shown that these tools not only represent an evolutionary milestone but also offer a new perspective on the arrival of several waves of migration to Europe during the Middle Pleistocene.
Tools to make a living
The team of researchers, led by Diego Lombao, has documented that these human ancestors, who lived in the area around Tarragona, developed large tools such as axes and pickaxes, using local raw materials. They worked with a high level of planning and efficiency.
These tools were made with bifacial cutting techniques and were used for various activities related to livelihood. “These behaviours show a huge advance compared to the technologies present in Europe at the time, known as mode 1 or Olduvai. One of these advances is the selection and preparation of raw materials, with differentiated management of their resources,” the researchers add.
Slate and flint
Flint was mainly used to make smaller tools, while slate was reserved for the production of large tools. The early stages of the manufacturing process of these large tools would have taken place at the site, according to the experts. After that, they would have been transported to the places where they were needed.
This points not only to technological sophistication, but also to a high cognitive capacity of the Hominini of this period. “The production of the handy tools was also accompanied by sophisticated planning and a more efficient use of resources,” explains Diego Lombao.
The Hominini who inhabited the area of La Canonja, Tarragona, exhibited advanced and flexible technological behaviour, they used different woodcarving strategies. They also looked beyond the production of the tools. This was further reflected in the transport of tools and the use of templates to facilitate the acquisition of the desired shapes.
Exchange between residents of Europe, Asia, and Africa
The Barranc de la Boella shows that Europe was not isolated but through an exchange and technological evolution in constant contact with Africa and the Near East. This marked a turning point in the continent’s technological history.
The archaeological finds in Tarragona, the specialists conclude, not only narrow the chronological gap between Europe, Asia, and Africa but also show that European human populations already shared technological elements with African populations almost a million years ago.
Bones found indicate interaction with predators
Barranc de la Boella, known as one of the oldest Achiano sites in Europe, consists of multiple sites. In addition to stones, research has also revealed many animal bones. This makes it possible to reconstruct the daily activities and living habits of the first human inhabitants. For example, indications of interactions with hyenas and other felines have been found. But also the mammoth seems to have been put to work.