1. Sediment sequence and site formation processes at the Arbreda Cave, NE Iberian Peninsula, and implications on human occupation and climate change during the Last Glacial.
- Author
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Kehl, M., Eckmeier, E., Franz, S. O., Lehmkuhl, F., Soler, J., Soler, N., Reicherter, K., and Weniger, G.-C.
- Subjects
SEDIMENTOLOGY ,GEOLOGICAL formations ,LAST Glacial Maximum ,PALEOCLIMATOLOGY ,ANALYTICAL geochemistry ,SOIL micromorphology - Abstract
The Arbreda Cave provides a detailed archaeolog-ical record of the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic and is a key site for studying human occupation and cultural transitions in NE Iberia. Recently, studies of lake archives and archaeolog-ical sites presented new evidence on climate changes in NE Iberia correlating with Heinrich events. It, therefore, needs to be determined whether climate signals can be identified in the cave sequence of Arbreda, and if so, whether these sig-nals can be correlated with stratigraphic indicators suggest-ing the continuity or discontinuity of human occupation. We conducted a high-resolution sedimentological and geochemical study, including micromorphological investiga-tions, to shed light on stratigraphy, processes of sediment ac-cumulation and post-depositional alteration in the cave. Seven major sediment units were distinguished which partly correlate with archaeological levels. The lower part of the sequence including Mousterian levels J and K consists of fluvial deposits truncated by a sharp erosional disconfor-mity between Mousterian levels J and I. Strong enrichment with phosphorus and strontium reflect zoogenic inputs. The transition from Mousterian to Archaic Aurignacian in levels I and H, respectively, is reflected by more gradual changes in colour, grain size and geochemical composition. However, a peak in potentially wind-blown particles (40-125 pm in di- ameter) reflects higher aeolian input, and banded microstruc- ture suggests reworking of sediments at the interface. Both properties correlate with low density of finds suggesting low intensity of human occupation related to a dry spell. More arid conditions than during the Holocene are indicated for the Gravettian to Solutrean levels. These findings are in agree-ment with previous palaeoclimatic interpretations as based on palaeontological proxies. The detailed multi-proxy analyses of the sequence adds to our understanding on sediment accumulation and alteration in the Arbreda Cave. The transition from the Middle to Up-per Palaeolithic probably includes a gap in human occupa-tion. Assessing the significance and duration of this gap and correlating the climate signal requires three-dimensional re-constructions of find densities and more reliable geochrono-logical control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
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