The discoveries made by Policarpo Sánchez, researcher at the University of Valladolid, in the Millan Cave of Hortiguela, Burgoshave transformed the understanding of origin of the Upper Paleolithic in the Iberian Peninsula. In a recently published work, Sánchez’s team presents a new cultural tradition, known as “Arlanziense”, considered the starting point of this era in the region. Sánchez emphasizes that the transition between the Middle and Upper Paleolithicr, which took place between 50,000 and 40,000 years ago, is crucial to understanding the biological and cultural evolution of human beings. During this period, Neanderthals were gradually replaced by Homo Sapiens, giving way to the first cultures of the Upper Paleolithic.
Until now, the beginning of this stage was based on the remains of the Aurignacian and Châtelperronian cultures. However, with the identification of the Arlanzian, this period is redefined, which Sánchez considers a “step” comparable to the discovery of the Arlanzian. hominid remains in Atapuerca. In Cueva Millán, a small site of only two square meters, the the oldest evidence of the Upper Paleolithic on the peninsuladated between 45,000 and 43,000 years ago. One of the most important aspects of this culture is the production of small stone projectiles used for huntingalthough we still do not know whether these objects were made by Neanderthals or by Homo Sapiens.
The surprising discovery in a cave in Burgos
Cueva Millán, a rock shelter located in a small side valley of the Arlanza Canyonrevolutionized the understanding of human settlement in the Iberian Peninsula. A research team, led by Policarpo Sánchez Yustos from the University of Valladolid, found in this site, close to the municipality of Hortigüela (Burgos) and located in the Sabinares del Arlanza-La Yecla Natural Parkthe oldest evidence of the Upper Paleolithic on the peninsula. This discovery, which dates back to between 45,000 and 43,000 years ago, reveals a little-known culture called “Arlanzian”, characterized by its standardized production of small stone projectiles used for hunting.
The discovery of this new culture is of great importance, as it provides crucial information on the transition from the Middle Paleolithic to the Upper Paleolithic, a key period in the cultural and biological evolution of human beings. Until the arrival of the Arlanzian, the start of the Upper Paleolithic in the Iberian Peninsula had been placed between 43,000 and 40,000 years ago, based on other sites containing Arlanzian remains. Aurignacian and Châtelperronian cultures. However, the Arlanzian disputes this account, placing the interior of the peninsula as the region with the oldest evidence from this period, implying a significant adjustment in the chronology of Iberian prehistory.
Arlanziense
The Arlanzian, as a new cultural paradigm, replaces the Aurignacian and the Châtelperronian in the classification of first evidence from the Upper Paleolithic. Through excavations of just two square meters, around 2,500 pieces of lithic industry were discovered, providing a solid basis for better understanding the evolution of techniques and tools used at the time. This discovery not only redefines the origin of this period on the peninsula, but also raises intriguing questions about the originators of this culture.
Researchers wonder if the creators of Arlanziense were the last Neanderthals or the first Homo Sapiensand whether this culture comes from a migratory phenomenon, from interaction between human groups, or from independent local evolution. The coexistence of Arlanzian groups with neighboring Neanderthals, who still preserved Middle Paleolithic traditions, opens new avenues for the study of cultural interactions in prehistory.
“The definition of a new cultural tradition is a truly exceptional and real fact, since the last time a cultural tradition linked to this period was defined was 20 years ago. For a prehistorian, discovering a new culture is like discovering a new species for a paleoanthropologist,” explains Policarpo Sánchez, head of the research, according to Burgos Log in.
This discovery, published in the journal Scientific reportsis considered a significant advance in the understanding of one of the most important chapters of human evolution. The research is the result of the collaboration of scientists from various institutions, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach that offers a holistic view of archaeology. With this new discovery, the Arlanza Valley It stands out as a key territory for the study of the transition from the Middle Paleolithic to the Upper Paleolithic in the Iberian Peninsula.
The work is signed by 17 researchers awarded to 14 ten national institutions (Higher Council for Scientific Research, Institute of Evolution in Africa, University of Alcalá, University of Burgos, University of Cantabria, National University of Distance Education, University of Valladolid, University of Zaragoza and the IES Martín Vázquez de Arce, Sigüenza) and 4 foreigners (University of Montpellier, France; University of Adelaide, Australia; University of Koblenz, Germany; and University of Manchester, England).
