2016/03/01 by Martin Kehl, Christoph Burow, Pedro Cantalejo +11 · 1 voice
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Social Sciences · #Archaeology and ancient environmental studies #Geology and Paleoclimatology Research #Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.yqres.2016.01.007
openalex publication_date 2016/03/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02
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.