The earliest evidence of the Levallois technology in Central Europe: New data from Biśnik Cave, Poland

This paper presents a new distribution model for Levallois technology, which was crucial during the late Middle Pleistocene in Central Europe. Previous studies have indicated that the earliest site (>MIS 8/7) and source of diffusion may have been located in western Europe (west of the Rhine). In this article, we present a series of new studies on the lower stratigraphic sequence of Biśnik Cave in southern Poland (Central Europe), dating to the late Middle Pleistocene and characterised by the presence of Levallois artefacts. These studies included radiometric dating of sediments using post-IRSL feldspar and SAR quartz methods, indicating the greater reliability of the former. The radiometric data were integrated with microstratigraphic analyses of the sediments, which revealed that the oldest layers may contain an admixture of older material from external sources, potentially resulting in artificially increased age estimates. New radiometric dating results, critically evaluating previous attempts, indicate the presence of Levallois elements at this site at least since MIS 8, but due to presence of residual material and uncertainty about incomplete resetting of luminescence signal, the end of MIS 10 or MIS 9 cannot be excluded. The presence of Levallois continued in consequent strata deposited during MIS 7 and MIS 6. This constitutes the earliest evidence of Levallois technology in this part of Europe. Biostratigraphic studies revealed the presence of faunal remains characteristic of the late Middle Pleistocene, including elements predating MIS 7. A thorough review of archaeological data on artefacts from the lower sediment series showed that, in addition to elements of the Levallois system, there are clear traces of a discoidal reduction strategy. However, the Levallois elements dated to the earliest phase are characterised by technological maturity. Considering that Levallois technology in Central Europe has no equivalents in the Lower Palaeolithic lithic assemblages of this region, it can be suggested that the appearance of the earliest Levallois elements was the result of the transmission of patterns from outside (e.g. from southern or western Europe) rather than the result of endemic development.