Comparing depositional modes of cave sediments using magnetic anisotropy

J. M. Parés*, I. Campaña, M. Duval, M. J. Sier, A. I. Ortega, G. I. López, J. Rosell

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Deciphering the origin and depositional history of archaeological and paleontological deposits is fundamental to evaluate artifact and fossil contextualization. We present new rock magnetic data based on the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) that allow the fabric analysis and characterization of depositional modes in cave sediments. This approach was tested on both fossiliferous and sterile deposits for Gran Dolina and Galeria localities from the Atapuerca karstic complex (Spain). Our AMS approach has allowed to determine paleoenvironmental conditions in both sites, as well as to establish where a given sedimentary unit preserves primary depositional fabrics or has possible post-depositional perturbation. In this sense, it is worth emphasizing that even the sampled horizons that have hominid remains Gran Dolina show no signs of fabric disruption or evidence for massive transport of the sedimentary particles.

Original languageEnglish
Article number105241
JournalJournal of Archaeological Science
Volume123
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2020
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Funding

Access and permission to collect samples in Atapuerca was granted by Junta de Castilla y León. The authors are deeply indebted to M. A. Martín (Grupo Espeleológico Edelweiss), for fruitful discussions concerning the development of the Atapuerca cave system. We also thank the Fundación Atapuerca for continuous support of this research. Financial support for this work was also obtained from Junta de Castilla y León and from MICINN Grants CGL2017-89603-R , and PGC2018-093925-B-C31-C32 . M. Duval's research has been supported by the Australian Research Council Future Fellowship grant FT150100215, and is currently funded by the Spanish Ramón y Cajal Grant RYC2018-025221-I, MINCIU. M.J. Sier's research is currently funded by the Spanish Juan de la Cierva post-doctoral Grant IJCI2017-34126, MINCIU. We are grateful for comments by Josh Feinberg and an anonymous reviewer that have improved the final version of the manuscript. Access and permission to collect samples in Atapuerca was granted by Junta de Castilla y León. The authors are deeply indebted to M. A. Martín (Grupo Espeleológico Edelweiss), for fruitful discussions concerning the development of the Atapuerca cave system. We also thank the Fundación Atapuerca for continuous support of this research. Financial support for this work was also obtained from Junta de Castilla y León and from MICINN Grants CGL2017-89603-R, and PGC2018-093925-B-C31-C32. M. Duval's research has been supported by the Australian Research Council Future Fellowship grant FT150100215, and is currently funded by the Spanish Ramón y Cajal Grant RYC2018-025221-I, MINCIU. M.J. Sier's research is currently funded by the Spanish Juan de la Cierva post-doctoral Grant IJCI2017-34126, MINCIU. We are grateful for comments by Josh Feinberg and an anonymous reviewer that have improved the final version of the manuscript.

FundersFunder number
Josh Feinberg
MINCIU
Spanish Juan de la CiervaIJCI2017-34126
Spanish Ramón y Cajal
Australian Research CouncilRYC2018-025221-I, FT150100215
Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovaciónPGC2018-093925-B-C31-C32, CGL2017-89603-R
Consejería de Educación, Junta de Castilla y León
Junta de Castilla y León

    Keywords

    • Archaeology
    • Cave sediments
    • Fabric analysis
    • Karst
    • Preferred grain orientation
    • Quaternary

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