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New magnetostratigraphic evidence for the age of Acheulean tools at the archaeo-palaeontological site "Solana del Zamborino" (Guadix - Baza Basin, S Spain).

ABSTRACT: The sedimentary record in the Guadix-Baza Basin (southern Spain) has proved to be a great source of information for the Miocene through the Pleistocene periods, due to the abundant faunal remains preserved, in some cases associated with lithic tools. The Solana del Zamborino (SZ) section has been the subject of controversy ever since a magnetostratigraphic analysis resulted in an age of 750-770?Kyr for Acheulean tools, a chronology significantly older than the ~600?Kyr established chronology for the first Acheulean record in Europe. Although recent findings at the "Barranc de la Boella" site (north-east of the Iberian Peninsula) seem to indicate that an earlier introduction of such technique in Europe around 0.96-0.781?Ma is possible, the precise age of the classical site at SZ is still controversial. The aim of this paper is to constrain the chronology of the site by developing a longer magnetostratigraphic record. For this purpose, we carried out an exhaustive sampling in a new succession at SZ. Our results provide a ~65?m magnetostratigraphic record in which 4 magnetozones of normal polarity are found. Our new magnetostratigraphic data suggest an age range between 300-480?Kyr for the lithic tools, closer to the age of traditional Acheulean sites in Europe.

SUBMITTER: Alvarez-Posada C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5647401 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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New magnetostratigraphic evidence for the age of Acheulean tools at the archaeo-palaeontological site "Solana del Zamborino" (Guadix - Baza Basin, S Spain).

Álvarez-Posada C C Parés J M JM Sala R R Viseras C C Pla-Pueyo S S

Scientific reports 20171018 1

The sedimentary record in the Guadix-Baza Basin (southern Spain) has proved to be a great source of information for the Miocene through the Pleistocene periods, due to the abundant faunal remains preserved, in some cases associated with lithic tools. The Solana del Zamborino (SZ) section has been the subject of controversy ever since a magnetostratigraphic analysis resulted in an age of 750-770 Kyr for Acheulean tools, a chronology significantly older than the ~600 Kyr established chronology for ...[more]

PMID: 29044215

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Project description:Zooarchaeological analyses of the skeletal remains of 52 animals unearthed in the courtyard of an Iron Age Tartessian building known as Casas del Turuñuelo (Badajoz, Spain) shed light on a massive sacrifice forming part of a series of rituals linked to the site's last period of activity and final abandonment. The rites took place towards the end of the 5th century BCE when both the building (intentionally destroyed) and the sacrificed animals were intentionally buried under a tumulus 90 m in diameter and 6 m high. The main objective of the zooarchaeological and microstratigraphic analyses was to determine the phasing of the sacrificial depositions. Evidence gathered from taphonomic assessments and a series of radiocarbon datings indicate that the sacrifices fall into three consecutive phases spanning several years. The findings of the zooarchaeological analyses clearly point to a selection of equid and cattle males. Adult equids predominate (MNI = 41) followed by adult and sub-adult cattle (MNI = 6). Pigs, in turn, are only represented by a few adults and sub-adult females (MNI = 4). Among the animals is a single dog of undetermined sex between 3 and 4 years of age. The fact that the animals are mostly adults discards the likelihood that they died from natural causes or an epidemic. In addition, the scenographic deposition of certain equids in pairs, as well as evidence of the burning of plant offerings, suggest an intentional ritualistic sacrifice. Nine of the initial depositions of Phase 1 in the SE quadrant were scattered and certain of their bones bear marks characteristic of both prolonged open air exposure and scavengers. Another 31 animals from Phases 1 and 2 are represented by almost complete, articulated skeletons, indicating they were promptly covered. Phase 3, by contrast, reveals both almost complete and partial animals bearing clear signs of processing for human consumption. This study thus sheds light on both the sequence of the animal sacrifices and the protocols linked to rites accompanied by the celebration of banquets. Certain features associated with the sealing of this building under a tumulus offer evidence of the decline of the Tartessian Culture. This study thus advances notions serving to contextualize ritual animal sacrifices in the framework of practice observed at other Iron Age sites in the Iberian Peninsula and elsewhere throughout Europe.

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Dataset Information

New magnetostratigraphic evidence for the age of Acheulean tools at the archaeo-palaeontological site "Solana del Zamborino" (Guadix - Baza Basin, S Spain).

Publications

New magnetostratigraphic evidence for the age of Acheulean tools at the archaeo-palaeontological site "Solana del Zamborino" (Guadix - Baza Basin, S Spain).

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