Earliest evidence of human occupations and technological complexity above the 45th North parallel in Western Europe. The site of Lunery-Rosieres la-Terre-des-Sablons (France, 1.1 Ma)

Abstract

The site of LuneryRosieres la-Terre-des-Sablons (Lunery, Cher, France) comprises early evidence of human occupation in mid-latitudes in Western Europe. It demonstrates hominin presence in the Loire River Basin during the Early Pleistocene at the transition between an interglacial stage and the beginning of the following glacial stage. Three archaeological levels sandwiched and associated with two diamicton levels deposited on the downcutting river floor indicate repeated temporary occupations. Lithic material yields evidence of simple and more complex core technologies on local Jurassic siliceous rocks and Oligocene millstone. Hominins availed of natural stone morphologies to produce flakes with limited preparation. Some cores show centripetal management and a partially prepared striking platform. The mean ESR age of 1175 ka ± 98 ka obtained on fluvial sediments overlying the archaeological levels could correspond to the transition between marine isotopic stages (MIS) 37 and 36, during the normal Cobb Mountain subchron, and in particular at the beginning of MIS 36. The Lunery site shows that hominins were capable of adapting to early glacial environmental conditions and adopting appropriate strategies for settling in mid-latitude zones. These areas cannot be considered as inhospitable at that time as Lunery lies at some distance from the forming ice cap.

Keywords: Early hominin occupations; Early pleistocene; Lunery; Raw materials; Technology; Western Europe.

Figure 1

Map of the main sites dated to around 1 Ma in Western and Southern Europe.

Figure 2

(A) Location map of Berry Province in the Centre-Val de Loire region. (B) Map of natural regions of Berry and location of the Lunery-Rosières site: PA = Plateau d’Aigurande; BS = Southern Boischaut; CB = Champagne Berrichonne; BN = Northern Boischaut; SO = Sologne; TO = Touraine. Black squares: sites excavated under the base of a fluvial formation dated by ESR: 1. Pont-de-Lavaud, Eguzon-Chantôme, Indre (1055 ± 55 ka); 2. Préjolais, Pouligny-Notre-Dame, Indre (740 ± 160 ka); 3. Lunery-Rosières, Terre-des-Sablons, LRTS, Cher (1175 ± 98 ka); 4. La Noira, Brinay, Cher (665 ± 55 ka). (C) Geologic and structural map of the Cher valley in the Lunery-Rosières area. (D) Location of the palaeontological site of Rosières-Usine (star) in the karst developed along the Rosières fault and location of three archaeological levels (triangles) of LRTS on faulting limestone blocks (after^,, modified).

Figure 3

Stratigraphic logs of the three sandy formations stacked at Lunery-Rosières la-Terre-des-Sablons site and ESR data. (B) Section of diamictons in the excavated area with coarse layers (C2 & C1 = Layers 1 & 2,) and limestone scree (C0 = Layer) in Unit a, under the fluvial Formation 3 (Unit b). (C) View of Formation 3 with location of the three archaeological levels 1, 2 & 3 (after^,).

Figure 4

Chronological data on the sites in Western Europe from the earliest evidence of occupation to the Brunhes/Matuyama transition. Ages of the two sites at Atapuerca (Gran Dolina and Sima del Elefante) are into the same chronological span and are associated. Ages of Orce sites (Fuente Nueva 3 and Barranco Leon) are into the same chronological span and are associated.

Figure 5

Lunery. Cores on Jurassic silicifications (“chailles”) with one flaking face and a cortical platform.

Figure 6

Lunery. “chailles” (n°1-2) and millstone (n°3) cores with peripheral and opposite flaking faces.

Figure 7

Lunery. Evidence of complexity in core technology. “Chailles” cores with opposite flaking faces and a partially prepared platform, bifacial flaking and centripetal removals.

Figure 8

Lunery. ”Chailles” and millstone flakes from levels 3 and 2. N°2 is retouched by abrupt and denticulate retouches.

Figure 9

Lunery level 3. Partial bifacial piece on a “chailles” flake.