A study has identified evidence of advanced technological behaviour in stone tools made by hominids between 900,000 and 780,000 years ago at the site of Barranc de la Boella (La Canonja, Tarragona, Catalonia). The study was carried out by specialists from the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES, which is one of the CERCA institutions of the Generalitat of Catalonia), as well as from the University of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia and the National Museum of Natural Sciences ( MNCN) of the superior Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), in Spain.
The research used advanced analytical techniques to study hominid resource production and management strategies. The results showed that these tools not only represent an evolutionary milestone, but also open a new perspective on the arrival of new human populations in Europe.
This is the main conclusion of the study, conducted by Diego Lombao, researcher at the University of Santiago de Compostela and associated researcher at IPHES, in which Juan Ignacio Morales, Marina Mosquera, Andreu Ollé and Palmira Saladi, from IPHES, also participated. as well as Josep Vallverdú from IPHES and MNCN.
The research team documented that the hominins who occupied the Barranc de la Boella developed tools of large proportions, typical of mode 2 or Acheulean, such as axes and pickaxes, using local raw materials with a high level of planning and efficiency. These tools, made with double-sided carving techniques, were used for various activities related to subsistence.
According to the team, the technological behaviors identified represent a notable advance compared to the technologies then present in Europe, known as Mode 1 or Oldowan. Among these advances, the selection and readiness of raw materials stands out, with differential management of their resources.Flint was mainly used to make smaller tools, while shale was reserved for the production of large tools. It was also established that the early stages of the manufacturing process of these large tools may have occurred outside of the excavated sites and that they would have been systematically transported to the locations where they were needed.
The hominids inhabiting the barranc de la Boella demonstrated advanced and flexible technological behaviors, including the use of various carving strategies. these technological practices reflect a significant capacity for anticipation, visible in the transportation of already prepared tools and in the selection of initial morphologies to facilitate obtaining the desired shapes.
These practices not only reflect technological sophistication, but also a high cognitive capacity of hominids of this period. “The Barranc de la Boella is a unique testimony to the technological change of the hominids of Europe in an era when tools were not only utilitarian, but also involved complex planning and more efficient use of resources,” says Diego Lombao, lead author of the study. “This site shows us that technological innovation was not linear or a completely sudden leap,but the result of multiple waves of population dispersal and the gradual arrival of new technological behaviors from Africa in Europe,” he concludes.
The conclusion of the new study is that, as far as is known, the first advanced stone tools in Europe were made at the site of Barranc de la Boella more than 900,000 years ago. (Photo: IPHES)
“The Barranc de la Boella is a key testimony to the first dispersals of Mode 2 in Europe, marking a turning point in the technological history of the continent,” says Diego Lombao. Similarities with other sites,such as Ubeidiya in the Levant,strengthen the hypothesis that these innovations were introduced to Europe through multiple migrations and cultural exchanges from Africa. This discovery not only narrows the chronological gap between Europe, Asia and Africa, but also demonstrates that European human populations already shared technological elements with african populations almost a million years ago.
The research highlighted that these sites could represent an early Acheulean dispersal, followed by several subsequent waves of migration during the Middle Pleistocene, which contributed to the technological diversity observed in Europe in this period and which highlights the uniqueness of the technological behavior identified in the Barranc de la Boella.
“The Barranc de la Boella shows us that the European continent was not an isolated scenario, but rather a space of exchange and technological evolution in constant contact with Africa and the Middle East”, concludes Lombao. This discovery reinforces the key role of the site in understanding the first chapters of the technological evolution of hominins on the European continent.
The Barranc de la Boella, composed of several places such as La Mina, El Forn and Cala 1, is recognized as one of the oldest Mode 2 or Acheulean sites in Europe. The investigations conducted in Unit II have highlighted a large number of stone and animal bone tools that allow us to reconstruct the daily activities and subsistence habits of these early human groups.
Level II.2 of the Cala 1 site, for example, has been interpreted as a place where a mammoth (Mammuthus meridionalis) was exploited and slaughtered, while at La Mina evidence of interaction with other predators, such as hyenas and large animals. been found. These data indicate a great ability of adaptation of hominids to environmental changes,to the competition derived from the presence of large carnivores and to the management of available resources.
The study is entitled “Beyond Large‐Shaped Tools: technological Innovations and Continuities at the late Early Pleistocene Assemblage of El Barranc de la Boella (Tarragona, Spain)”. And it was published in the academic journal Journal of Paleolitic Archaeology.(Source: IPHES)
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Interview between Time.news Editor and diego Lombao, Researcher at the University of Santiago de Compostela
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good day, Diego! Thank you for joining us. Your recent study shedding light on the advanced technological behavior of hominids at the Barranc de la Boella site is fascinating! Could you start by summarizing the significance of your findings?
Diego Lombao (DL): Absolutely, and thank you for having me! Our study reveals that hominids living approximately 900,000 to 780,000 years ago were not just capable toolmakers, but their approach to tool production indicates a profound level of sophistication. The tools we examined—specifically large Acheulean implements—demonstrate not only skill in crafting but also strategic planning in resource management. This pushes back the timeline of technological innovation in human prehistory.
TNE: That’s a remarkable insight.what specific evidence did you find that showcases this advanced behavior?
DL: We conducted extensive analysis on the stone tools unearthed at the site, focusing especially on their size, function, and the raw materials used. We found that the hominids exhibited a clear preference for different materials—flint for smaller tools and shale for larger axes and pickaxes. This selective use implies an intricate understanding of material properties. Additionally, we discovered that the manufacturing processes for these larger tools might have started away from the excavation sites, signaling an organized approach to tool transport and usage.
TNE: It’s fascinating that these ancient people demonstrated such planning. Can you elaborate on the implications of these findings for our understanding of early human populations in Europe?
DL: Certainly! The evidence we present challenges earlier assumptions about the technological abilities of hominids in Europe during this period.Previously, much of the control over tools was viewed through the lens of the older Oldowan technology. Our findings suggest that the arrival of these more advanced hominins could have substantially influenced the socio-cultural and technological evolution of populations in Europe, indicating a more dynamic interaction and migration pattern than previously understood.
TNE: You mentioned the cognitive capacities indicated by their practices. can you explain what this reveals about the mental capabilities of these hominids?
DL: Yes, the flexibility in their technological practices points to a significant cognitive ability. The hominids exhibited anticipation in tool creation, selecting morphologies conducive to the desired finished forms.This action reflects forward-thinking and problem-solving skills—traits we often associate with modern human behavior. It reshapes our understanding of hominid intelligence and adaptability during a formative period in human evolution.
TNE: It’s remarkable how much this research contributes to our historical narrative.What do you hope comes next from this study?
DL: I hope our work stimulates further research into related archaeological sites. The complexity of tool use and the cognitive capacities of early hominids merit a deeper exploration. Understanding these behaviors can significantly enhance our grasp of human evolution as well as influence contemporary views on the progress of technology and society.
TNE: Diego,thank you for sharing your insights. It’s clear that your research opens up exciting avenues for understanding our past. We look forward to following your future work!
DL: Thank you for having me—it was a pleasure discussing this vital research!