We performed detailed geological and geomorphological analyses on a well-exposed series of marine terrace deposits located along a coastal area from the city of Taranta to the Bradano River in the northern Gulf of Taranta (southern Italy). Absolute dating was performed by applying amino acid racemisation (AAR) to ostracod shells and isoleucine epimerisation (D-aile/L-Ile) to Glycymeris sp. shells. The combination of field geological surveys, remate sensing, digital terrain model analysis, and absolute dating allowed us to study a large number of stratigraphic sections as well as recognise and map three terrace deposits in the Apulian sector of the Gulf of Taran to that date to MIS 7 .3, MIS 7 .1 and MIS 5. A peculiar feature of the MIS 7 .1 terrace deposit is the presence ofbiohermal and biostromal limestones rich in Cladocora caespitosa, calcareous algae and bryozoans; this feature contrasts with general context of the prevailing siliciclastic deposits. Based on currently available data, we propase two hypotheses regarding the MIS 5 terrace deposit: 1) the MIS 5 terrace formed entirelyduring MIS 5.5; and2) the MIS 5 terrace is a set ofterraces that correlates to MIS 5.5, 5.3 and 5.1, in which the scarps and abrasion platforms have been partially masked by the superimposition of the so-calledgivoni, ridges that are elongated sub-parallel to the coastline. Our data, combined with an extensive critical review of age dates in the literature, allow us to exclude the presence of an emerged marine terrace deposit of MIS 3. We calculate the uplift rates of the MIS 7.3, 7.1, 5.5 and 5.3 palaeoshorelines. In the west sector, the mean uplift rates calculated for the recognised inner edges are MIS 7.3 = 0.65 mm/a, MIS 5.5 = 0.39 mm/a, MIS 5.3 = 0.31 mm/a; in the central sector the rates are MIS 7.3 = 0.485 mm/a, MIS 7.1 = 0.37 mm/a, MIS 5.5 = 0.35 mm/a, MIS 5.3 = 0.26 mm/a; in the east sector the rates are MIS 7.3 = 0.39 mm/a, MIS 5.5 = 0.25 mm/a, MIS 5.3 = 0.21 mm/a. These uplift rates show a uniform decreasing trend in time and space, proceeding from the western to the eastern sector, which allows us to hypothesise a slowing of the uplift phase characterising the foredeep, which began in the middle Pleistocene.

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The inter-and intra-crystalline fractions of Patella vulgata limpets recovered from archaeological sites in Northern Spain (covering Neolithic, Mesolithic, Magdalenian, Solutrean, and Aurignacian periods) were examined for amino acid composition and racemisation over time. The calcitic apex and rim areas of the shells were found to probably be composed of similar proteins, as the D/L values and amino acids were comparable and varied in the same way with increasing age; however, the mineral structures present in these areas differed. The aragonitic intermediate part of the shell showed a distinctly different amino acid composition and mineral structure. The main protein leaching from the inter-crystalline fraction occurred within the first 6000 yr after the death of the organismo In contrast, the intra-crystalline fraction -comprised of a different protein composition than the inter-crystalline fraction -appeared to behave as a closed system for at least 34 ka, as reflected by the lack of a significant decrease in the amino acid content; however, changes in the amino acid percentages occurred during this periodo The concentration of aspartic acid remained almost constant with age both in inter-and intra-crystalline proteins, and its contribution to the total amino acid content increased with age at the expense of other amino acids such as glutamic acid, serine, glycine and alanine. Temperature is thought to playa key role in the amino acid racemisation of P. vulgata and could explain why in the localities belonging to the Gravettian and Solutrean period, which formed during relatively cold conditions, D/L values were similar to those detected in shells from sites formed during the Magdalenian.

Here, we sought to reconstruct the Pleistocene and Holocene evolution of Cartagena Bay. Therefore, 16 borehole cores were analysed with the following aims: (1) to define a chronological framework; (2) to obtain data on the palaeoenvironment; and (3) to establish the relationship with human activities, especially focused on the reconstruction of the Carthago Nova (also known as Qart Hadasht) conquest. A total of 147 samples were recovered for amino acid racemisation (AAR) dating; 32 for radiocarbon dating (14C); and 159 for sedimentological, palaeontological, and biomarker determination. These approaches allowed us to elucidate the evolutionary phases of the palaeolandscape in Cartagena. The simultaneous use of AAR and 14C dating allowed the discrimination of spurious ages and the establishment of a chronological scale. During the Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 7 and 5, the sea level (SL) in Cartagena Bay was almost the same as today. An alluvial plain developed in the northern area, and a delta was formed by an ephemeral river. In contrast, during MIS4, after a fall in SL, a wide sandy coastal plain emerged, leading to the accumulation of colluvial and aeolian deposits. The Holocene transgression was reflected in the hinterland in a late and temporarily floodable marsh fed by alluvial fans and creeks, producing a salinity gradient from freshwater to brackish and saline waters. Along the sea front, the marine influence was evident but not dominant, grading up and landwards to saline and freshwater marshes. Therefore, at the time of Scipio’s conquest, the geography of Carthago Nova was quite different from that described by Polybius. The Roman’s sudden attack seized Qart Hadasht from the south-west, avoiding the marshy area and not crossing a fast and deep ebb stream as it never existed on the Mediterranean Iberian coast.

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