The earliest occupation of North-Africa : the Moroccan perspective
Language
en
Article de revue
This item was published in
Quaternary International, Quaternary International. 2001, vol. 75, n° 1, p. 65-75
Elsevier
English Abstract
The long sequence at Casablanca covers the last 5.5 Ma. The oldest lithic assemblages are found in Late Lower Pleistocene deposits, circa 1 Ma, in unit L of Thomas Quarry 1, and consist of Acheulian artefacts made from ...Read more >
The long sequence at Casablanca covers the last 5.5 Ma. The oldest lithic assemblages are found in Late Lower Pleistocene deposits, circa 1 Ma, in unit L of Thomas Quarry 1, and consist of Acheulian artefacts made from quartzite and flint. The first human remains discovered in this area were found in younger Middle Pleistocene deposits and cover an important period of human evolution between Homo erectus and modern Homo. They are associated with Acheulian artefacts and rich faunas in caves (Littorines Cave at Sidi Abderrahmane, caves at Thomas Quarries 1 and 3). The variability of Acheulian assemblages is well documented following recent excavations in various sites around the well known locality of Sidi Abderrahmane (Bears Cave, Cap Chatelier, Unit L and Hominid Cave at Thomas Quarry 1, Rhino Cave at Oulad Hamida Quarry 1, Sidi Abderrahmane Extension and Sidi Al Khadir open-air sites). The Casablanca sequence offers useful data for comparison with those from other African areas where hominids appeared and developed and should be considered in the debate on the earliest occupation of Europe.Read less <
English Keywords
North-Africa
Morocco
Casablanca
Plio-Pleistocene
Large Mammals fauna
Micro-fauna
Acheulean
Palaeo-shorelines
Caves
Open-air sites
Startigraphy
Chronology
Biostratigraphy
Quartzites technology
Origin
Hal importedCollections