Acheulean technocomplex in Portugal: review of the evidence

Abstract

The increase of data available for the study of the Middle Pleistocene in the Iberian Peninsula, has favoured the understanding of the technological and chronological trends of the Iberian Acheulean techno complex. In this context, this work aims to provide an updated overview that discusses the study of this technocomplex in Portugal. Despite some chronological uncertainty, the Acheulean in the portuguese territory seems to have developed during the second half of the Middle Pleistocene, in a similar way to the reality observed in other areas of the Iberian Peninsula. Overall, the Iberian Acheulean has strong African affinities, contrary to the documented reality beyond the Pyrenees. Current data displays strong regional differences in the settlement dynamics of the European continent and reinforces the importance of the Iberian Peninsula to expand our knowledge of these processes.