La industria lítica del yacimiento Achelense de Torralba (Soria, España). Colecciones marqués de Cerralbo y Howell

Abstract

Torralba is a Middle Pleistocene site, with absolute dates that place it in MIS 7. Its lithic industry comes from fuvial levels and is situated in a secondary position. The raw materials were brought to the site from sources located several tens kilometers away. The techno-economic study of the industrial series obtained in the excavations conducted by Marquis of Cerralbo (1909-1913) and Clark Howell (1961-1963), confirms the Acheulean identity of this industry. Production, configuration and maintenance of the industry were all carried out at the site, although at least some macro-tools were introduced already elaborated. We have identified unusual technological aspects in the context of the European Acheulean, for example the frequent use of fint in developing cleavers.