Autor(es):
Martins, A., 
; Cunha, P., ; Rosina, P., . ; Oosterbeek, L. ; Cura, S., ; Gomes, J., ; Grimaldi, S., ; Buylaert, J., ; Murray, A., ; Matos, J
Data: 2010
Identificador Persistente: http://hdl.handle.net/10174/4008
Origem: Repositório Científico da Universidade de Évora
Assunto(s): Palaeolithic Pleistocene Luminescence dating Terraces Tejo River Iberia
Descrição
This paper aims to provide insight into human occupation and landscape change during the Pleistocene
in a central area of the Lower Tejo basin (Portugal). Detailed geomorphological mapping, coupled with
lithostratigraphy, sedimentology and luminescence dating, supports the identification of a complete
terrace staircase sequence. It consists of six gravely terraces located below the culminant (Pliocene)
basin unit. A chronological framework for the sedimentary sequences and associated human industries
is proposed and correlated with marine oxygen isotope stages (MIS): T1 terrace, not dated; T2, not dated;
T3, >300 ka; T4, 300–160 ka (MIS8, MIS7 and MIS6); T5, 136–75 ka (MIS5); T6, 62–30 ka (MIS3);
colluviumand aeolian sands, 30–14 ka (MIS2); valley fill deposits, 14 ka to present (MIS1). The oldest
artefacts were found at the base of the T4 terrace, with the local stratigraphic level dated to 175 6 ka
(Middle Pleistocene). The lithic assemblages collected from distinct stratigraphic levels (T4, T5 top, T6
terraces and colluvium) are characterized by the predominance of opportunistic technological choices, a
feature that can be attributed partly to the preferential exploitation of the available raw material, dominated
by local-sourced quartzites and quartz pebbles. The adaptation to local raw material (texture and volume),
together with subsistence patterns and behaviours, could explain the rarity of Acheulian types (handaxes and
cleavers) and picks in the T4 terraces of the Tejo tributaries; this is in contrast to the same terrace of the Tejo
valley, in which these types are found. Interpretation of the environmental conditions (controlled by climate
and glacio-eustatic sea-level changes) affecting the hunter-gatherer human groups is also presented
