Site formation and chronology of the New Paleolithic Site Sima de Las Palomas de Teba, Southern Spain

Abstract

The newly identified Paleolithic site Sima de Las Palomas de Teba hosts an almost seven-m-thick sediment profile investigated here to elucidate the rock shelter's chronostratigraphy and formation processes. At its base, the sediment sequence contains rich archeological deposits recording intensive occupation by Neanderthals. Luminescence provides a terminus ante quem of 39.4 ± 2.6 ka or 44.9 ± 4.1 ka (OSL) and 51.4 ± 8.4 ka (TL). This occupation ended with a rockfall event followed by accumulation of archeologically sterile sediments. These were covered by sediments containing few Middle Paleolithic artifacts, which either indicate ephemeral occupation by Neanderthals or reworking as suggested by micromorphological features. Above this unit, scattered lithic artifacts of undiagnostic character may represent undefined Paleolithic occupations. Sediment burial ages between about 23.0 ± 1.5 ka (OSL) and 40.5 ± 3.4 ka (pIRIR) provide an Upper Paleolithic chronology for sediments deposited above the rockfall. Finally, a dung-bearing Holocene layer in the uppermost part of the sequence contains a fragment of a human mandible dated to 4032 ± 39 14 C yr BP. Overall, the sequence represents an important new site for studying the end of Neanderthal occupation in southern Spain.

Precise dating of the Middle-to-Upper Paleolithic transition in Murcia (Spain) supports late Neandertal persistence in Iberia

“…Due to the unconsolidated nature of trench walls, it was decided not to drive metal cylinders into the sediment; instead, the samples were extracted with a knife, in complete darkness. Coarse grain quartz (100–150 μm) and potassium feldspar (100–200 μm) were extracted using conventional sample preparation techniques ( Kehl et al, 2016 ). All measurements were carried out on an automated Risø TL/OSL DA 20 reader equipped with a calibrated 90 Sr beta source and an EMI 9235 photomultiplier.…”

Ocupaciones de la Cueva de Ardales y Sima de las Palomas de Teba por sociedades neandertales

“…Las dataciones por radiocarbono y por OSL del nivel 10 establecen una horquilla temporal entre los 50-60 Ka. BP (Kehl et al, 2016).…”

“…Calcolítico, Neolítico, Paleolítico Superior-Modo 4 y Paleolítico Medio-Modo 3 (Weniger y Ramos, Eds., 2014;Kehl et al, 2013Kehl et al, , 2016. En el perfil estratigráfico documentado en los trabajos realizados entre 2011 y 2014, en los niveles, 9 y 10, la tecnología lítica es muy clara, formada por BN1G-Núcleos centrípetos, BP-Lascas levallois y BN2G-Raederas y puntas variadas, junto a muescas y denticulados.…”

Cultural contact over the Strait of Gibraltar during the Middle Palaeolithic? Evaluating the visibility of cultural exchange

“…It originates from distances of 20 up to 50 km and points into Southern directions towards the catchment basin of Wadi Bouregreg Campmas et al, 2016). Sánchez, 2007;Jennings et al, 2009;Jennings et al, 2011;Shipton et al, 2013;Kehl et al, 2016). However, at some sites the spectrum of represented raw material indicates transport over regional and supra-regional distances (Jennings et al, 2009, Shipton et al, 2013.…”

“…Chert and flint of high quality are present in the vicinity of many sites in Andalusia (Simón Vallejo & Cortés Sánchez, 2007;Shipton et al, 2013;Kehl et al, 2016). The spectrum of used raw material comprises different varieties of chert, flint, radiolarite, limestone, and quartzite (Simón Vallejo & Cortés Sánchez, 2007;Jennings et al, 2009;Shipton et al, 2013;Kehl et al, 2016).…”