Depositional and anthropic processes in the Holocene record of the Can Sadurní cave (Begues, Barcelona, Spain): microstratigraphic contributions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin.129.1.010Keywords:
coluvión, Holoceno, karst, micromorfología, redilesAbstract
The geoarchaeological and microstratigraphic study of the Can Sadurní cave sequence (Begues, Barcelona) reveals the presence of detrital and anthropogenic depositional processes, alternating at certain stages. These influenced the location of the diagenetic processes. The cultural sequence of the site ranges from Epipaleolithic to Late Roman Empire, with some chronocultural interruptions. During the Epipaleolithic and Mesolithic, solifluction processes were responsible for sedimentation. From the Neolithic, mass wasting and colluvial processes were dominant. Dense flows are distinguished mainly during the Cardial Early Neolithic and Early Postcardial. This type of contribution is also present to a lesser extent during the Postcardial Middle Neolithic, Late Neolithic/Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age. Non-laminated colluvial inputs appear in the rest of the sequence. These episodes alternate with periods of stability, in which the rate of detrital sedimentation is lower or almost non-existent. This is replaced by the presence of in situ stabling areas during the Epicardial and Early Postcardial Neolithic, although evidence is detected from the Cardial Early Neolithic. Associated with these contexts, hydromorphic processes are accentuated leading to the formation of vivianite -an iron phosphate mineral- typical of a reducing medium with high organic matter.
Downloads
References
Angelucci, D.E., Boschian, G., Fontanals, M., Pedrotti, A. and Vergés, J.M. 2009. Shepherds and karst: the use of caves and rock-shelters in the Mediterranean region during the Neolithic. World Archaeology, 41 (2), 191-214. https://doi.org/10.1080/00438240902843659
Antolín, F. 2013. Of cereals, poppy, acorns and hazelnuts. Plant economy among early farmers (5500-2300 cal BC) in the NE of the Iberian Peninsula. An archaeobotanical approach. Dept. de Prehistoria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, http://hdl.handle.net/10803/128997.
Antolín, F., Ache, M., Bergadà, M.M., Blasco, A., Buxó, R., Edo, M., Gibaja, J.F., Mensua, C., Palomo, A., Piqué, R., Ruiz, J., Saña, M., Verdún, E. and Villalba, M.J. 2011. Aproximació interdisciplinària a l'acció del foc en les inhumacions i aixovars del Neolític antic cardial de Can Sadurní (Begues, Baix Llobregat). In: Blasco, A., Edo, M., Villalba, M.J. (eds.), La Cova de Can Sadurní i la Prehistòria de Garraf. Recull de 30 anys d'investigació, Begues, desembre 2008, EDAR, Milano, 151-158.
Antolín, F. and Jacomet, S. 2015. Wild fruit use among early farmers in the Neolithic (5400-2300 cal BC) in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula: an intensive practice? Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 24, 19-33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00334-014-0483-x
Benyarku, C.A. and Stoops G. 2005. Guidelines for preparation of rock and soil thin sections and polished sections. Department of Environment and Soil Science, University of Lleida, Lleida, 84 pp.
Bergadà, M.M. 1998. Estudio geoarqueológico de los asentamientos prehistóricos del Pleistoceno Superior y el Holoceno inicial en Catalunya. BAR International Series 742. Archaeopress, Oxford, 267 pp.
Bergadà, M.M., Cebrià, A. and Mestres, J. 2005 a. Prácticas de estabulación durante el Neolítico antiguo en Cataluña a través de la micromorfología: cueva de la Guineu (Font-Rubí, Alt Penedès, Barcelona). III Congreso del Neolítico en la Península Ibérica, Santander, 187-96.
Bergadà, M.M., Guerrero, V.M. and Ensenyat, J. 2005 b. Primeras evidencias de estabulación en el yacimiento de Son Matge (Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca) a través del registro sedimentario. Mayurqa, 30, 153-180.
Bergadà, M.M. and Cervelló, J.M. 2011. Estratigrafia, micromorfologia paleoambient de la Cova de Can Sadurní (Begues, Baix Llobregat) des dels c. 11.000 fins els 5.000 anys B.P. In: Blasco, A., Edo, M., Villalba, M.J. (eds.), La Cova de Can Sadurní i la Prehistòria de Garraf. Recull de 30 anys d'investigació. Begues, desembre 2008, EDAR, Milano, 97-108.
Bertran, P. and Coutard, J.P. 2004. Solifluxion. In: Bertran, P (ed.), Dépôt de pente continentaux dynamique et faciès. Quaternaire, (1), 80-109.
Bertran, P., Francou, B. and Texier, J.P. 2004. Éboulisation, Éboulement. In: Bertran, P (ed.), Dépôt de pente continentaux dynamique et faciès. Quaternaire, 1, 29-43.
Bertran, P. and Texier, J.P. 1999. Facies and microfacies of slope deposits. Catena, 35, 99-121. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0341-8162(98)00096-4
Blasco, A., Edo, M. and Villalba, M.J. 2005 a. Cardial, Epicardial y Postcardial en Can Sadurní (Begues, Baix Llobregat). El largo fin del Neolítico antiguo en Cataluña, III Congreso del Neolítico en la península Ibérica, Santander, 867 - 876.
Blasco, A., Edo, M. and Villalba, M.J. 2005 b.Primeros datos sobre la utilización sepulcral de la cueva de Can Sadurní (Begues, Baix Llobregat) en el Neolítico Cardial, III Congreso del Neolítico en la península Ibérica, Santander, 625-633.
Bond, G., Showers, W., Cheseby, M., Lotti, R., Almasi, P., Demenocal, P., Priore, P., Cullen, H., Hajdas, I. and Bonani, G. 1997. A pervasive millenial-scale cycle in North Atlantic Holocene and glacial climates. Science, 278, 1257-1266. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.278.5341.1257
Boschian, G. 2006. Geoarchaeology of Pupicina cave. In: Miracle, P.T. and Forenbaher, S. (eds.), Prehistoric Herders in Istria (Croatia): The Archaeology of Pupicina Cave (1). Archaeological Museum of Istria, Pula.
Boschian, G. and Miracle, P.T. 2007. Shepherds and caves in the karst of Istria (Croatia). Atti Soc. tosc. Sci. nat., Mem., Serie A, 112, 173-180.
Brochier, J.E. 1996. Feullies ou fumiers? Observations sur le rôle des opusieres sphérolitiques dans l'interprétation des dépôts archéologiques holocènes. Anthropozoologica, 24, 19-30.
Brochier, J.E. 2002. Les sédiments anthropiques: méthodes d'étude et perspectives. In: Miskovsky, J.C. (ed), Géologie de la Préhistoire: méthodes, techniques, applications, 2nd ed. Geopré., Paris, 453-477.
Bullock, P., Fedoroff, N., Jongerius, A., Stoops, G. and Tursina, T. 1985. Handbook for soil thin section description. Waine research publ., Wolverhampton, 152 pp.
Canti, M.G. 1997. An investigation of microscopic calcareous spherulites from herbivore dungs. Journal of Archaeological Science, 24, 219-231. https://doi.org/10.1006/jasc.1996.0105
Canti, M.G. 2003. Aspects of the chemical and microscopic characteristics of plant ashes found in archaeological soils. Catena, 54, 339-361. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0341-8162(03)00127-9
Courty, M.A. 2001. Microfacies analysis assisting archaeological stratigraphy. In: Goldberg, P., Holliday, V.T. and Reid Ferring, C. (ed.), Earth Sciences and Archaeology. Kluwer Academic, 205-239. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1183-0_8
Courty, M.A., Goldberg, P. and Macphail, R.I. 1989. Soils and micromorphology in archaeology. Cambridge University Press, 344 pp.
Courty, M.A., Macphail, R.I. and Wattez, J. 1991. Soil micromorphological indicators of pastoralism; with special reference to Arene Candide, Finale Ligure, Italy, Rivista di Studi Liguri, A. LVII 1-4, 127-150.
Dabrio, C.J. and Hernando, S. 2003. Estratigrafía. Colección Geociencias. Facultad de Ciencias Geológicas. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, 382 pp.
Daura J, Sanz M., Fornós J.J, Asensio A. and Julià R. 2014. Karst evolution of the Garraf Massif (Barcelona, Spain): Doline formation, chronology and archaeo-palaentological archives. Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, 76 (2), 69-87. https://doi.org/10.4311/2011ES0254
Dorronsoro, B., Aguilar, J., Dorronsoro-Díaz, C., Stoops, G., Sierra, M., Fernández, J. and Dorronsoro-Fdez, C. 2015. HydroSols. Hidromorfía en suelos. << http://www.edafologia.net/hidro/index.htm >> (Accesed 2/03/2015).
Durand, N., Curtis, H. and Canti, M.G. 2010. Calcium carbonate features. In: Stoops, G., Marcelino, V., Mees, F. (eds.), Interpretation of micromorphological features of Soils and Regoliths. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 149-194. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-53156-8.00009-X
Edo, M., Antolín, F., Martínez, P., Castellana, C., Bardera, R., Saña, M., Bergadà, M.M., Fullola, J. M., Barrio, C., Fierro, E., Castillo, T. and Fornell, E. en prensa a. Cueva de Can Sadurní (Begues, Barcelona). Hacia la definición del modelo funerario en cueva para el Neolítico Medio I del nordeste peninsular. In: Gibaja, J.F., Subirà, M.E., Martín, A., Mozota, M., Roig, J. Mirando a la Muerte. Las prácticas funerarias durante el neolítico en el noreste peninsular. E-ditArx - Publicaciones Digitales, Castellón.
Edo M; Antolín, F; Martínez, P; Villalba, M.J; Fullola, J.M: Bergadà, M.M; Saña, M; Verdún, E; Fernández- Domínguez, E; Gamba, C; Arroyo-Pardo, E; Ache, M; Gibaja, J.F; Palomo, A; Clop, X. and Manen, C, en prensa b. El episodio funerario del neolítico antiguo cardial pleno de la cueva de Can Sadurní (Begues, Barcelona). Estado actual de la cuestión. In: Gibaja, J.F., Subirà, M.E., Martín, A., Mozota, M., Roig, J. Mirando a la Muerte. Las prácticas funerarias durante el neolítico en el noreste peninsular. E-ditArx - Publicaciones Digitales, Castellón.
Edo, M., Blasco, A. and Villalba, M.J. 2011. La cova de Can Sadurní, guió sintètic de la prehistòria recent de Garraf. In: Blasco, A., Edo, M., Villalba, M.J, (eds), La Cova de Can Sadurní i la prehistòria de Garraf. Recull de 30 anys d'investigacions. EDAR. Milano, 13 - 95.
Fernández, F., Dorronsoro-Fdez, C., Aguilar, J., Dorronsoro, B., Stoops, G. and Dorronsoro Díaz, C. 2015. IlluviaSols. El proceso de iluviación de arcilla en los suelos. http://www.edafologia.net/iluv/index.htm (Accesed 7/03/2015).
Fitzpatrick, E.A. 1990. Micromorfología de suelos. Compañía editorial continental. México, 476 pp.
Fumanal, M.P. 1995. Los depósitos cuaternarios en cuevas y abrigos. Implicaciones sedimentoclimáticas. El Cuaternario del País Valenciano. Universitat de. València, Valencia, 115-124.
Goldberg, P., Miller, C.E., Schiegl, S., Ligouis, B., Berna, F., Conard, N.C. and Wadley, L. 2009. Bedding, hearths, and site maintenance in the Middle Stone Age of Sibudu Cave, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Archaeological Anthropological Sciences, 1, 95-122. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-009-0008-1
Hedges, R.E. and Millard, A. R. 1995. Bones and groundwater: towards the modelling of diagenetic processes. Journal of Archaeological Science, 22, 155-164. https://doi.org/10.1006/jasc.1995.0017
ICGC 2005. Mapa geològic comarcal. Baix Llobregat (11). 1:50.000. Mapa geològic continu. Generalitat de Catalunya.
Karkanas, P. and Goldberg, P. 2010. Phosphatic features. In: Stoops, G., Marcelino, V. and Mees, F., (eds), Interpretation of micromorphological features of soils and regoliths. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 521-541. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-53156-8.00023-4
Karkanas, P. and Goldberg P. 2013. Micromorphology of cave sediments. In: John F. Shroder (editor-in-chief), Frumkin, A. (volume Editor). Treatise on Geomorphology, Vol 6, Karst Geomorphology, Academic Press, San Diego, 286-297. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-374739-6.00120-2
Macphail, R.I., Courty, M.A., Hather, J. and Wattez, J. 1997. The soil micromorphological evidence of domestic occupation and stabling activities. Memorie dell'Instituto Italiano di Paleontologia umana, V, 53 - 86.
Macphail, R.I., Cruise, G.M., Allen, M.J., Linderholm, J. and Reynolds, J. 2004. Archaeological soil and pollen analysis of experimental floor deposits; with special reference to Butser Ancient Farm, Hampshire, UK. Journal of Archaeological Science, 31, 175-191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2003.07.005
McGowan, G. and Prangnell, J. 2006. The significance of vivianite in archaeological settings. Geoarchaeology: An International Journal, 21 (1), 93-111. https://doi.org/10.1002/gea.20090
Mentzer, S. M. 2014. Microarchaeological Approaches to the Identification and interpretation of combustion features in prehistoric archaeological sites. Journal of Archaeological Method Theory, 21, 616-668. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10816-012-9163-2
Milek, K.B. 2012. Floor formation processes and the interpretation of site activity areas: An ethnoarchaeological study of turf buildings at Thverá, northeast Iceland. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, 31, 119-137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaa.2011.11.001
Miller, C., Conard, N.J., Goldberg, P., and Berna, F. 2009. Dumping, sweeping and trampling: Experimental micromorphological analysis of anthropogenically modified combustion features. P@lethnologie, 2009, 25-37. https://doi.org/10.4000/palethnologie.8197
Mücher, H., Van Steijn, H. and Kwaad, F. 2010. Colluvial and mass wasting deposits. In: Stoops, G., Marcelino, V and Mees, F., (eds.), Interpretation of micromorphological features of soils and regoliths. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 37- 48. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-53156-8.00003-9
Nicosia, C. 2008. Micromorphology of some phosphatic inclusions and neoformations of ocurring in archaeological deposits. Frankfurter geowiss. Arbeiten, 30, 85-94.
Pagliai, M. and Stoops, G. 2010. Physical and biological surface crust and seals. In: Stoops, G., Marcelino, V. and Mees, F., (eds.), Interpretation of micromorphological features of soils and regoliths. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 419-440. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-53156-8.00019-2
Peña, J.L., Sancho, C., Rubio, V. and Longares, L.A. 2005. Aportaciones desde la geomorfología y la geoarqueología al conocimiento de los paleoambientes holocenos semiáridos del NE de España. In: APG (ed.), A Geografia ibérica no contexto europeo (X Coloquio Ibérico de Geografía, 22-24 de Setembro de 2005).Universidade de Évora.
Pérez-Lambán, F., Peña-Monné, J.L., Fanlo-Loras, J., Picazo-Millán, J. V. Badia-Villas, D, Rubio-Fernández, V., García- Giménez, R. and Sampietro-Vattuone, M. 2014. Paleoenvironmental and geoarchaeological reconstruction from late Holocene slope records (Lower Huerva Valley, Ebro Basin, NE Spain). Quaternary Research, 81 (1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yqres.2013.10.011
Polo-Díaz, A. 2010. Rediles prehistóricos y uso del espacio en abrigos bajo roca en la Cuenca Alta del Ebro: geoarqueología y procesos de formación durante el Holoceno. Tesis doctoral. Universidad del País Vasco-Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea.
Polo-Díaz, A., Martínez-Moreno, J., Benito-Calvo, A. and Mora, R. 2014. Prehistoric herding facilities: site formation and archaeological dynamics in Cova Gran de Santa Linya (Southeastern Prepyrenees, Iberia), Journal of Archaeological Science, 41, 784-800. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2013.09.013
Riera, S., Esteve, X. and Nadal, J. 2007. Systèmes d'exploitation et anthropisation du paysage méditerranéen du Néolithique ancien au premier âge du Fer: le cas de la dépression de Penedès (nord-est de la péninsule ibérique). Environnements et cultures à l'âge du Bronze en Europe Occidentale (Actes des congrès nationaux des Sociétés historiques et scientifiques 129e, Besançon, 2004). Editions du CTHS, Paris, 121-141.
Shahack-Gross, R. 2011. Herbivorous livestock dung: formation, taphonomy, methods for identification and archaeological significance. Journal of Archaeological Science, 38, 205 - 218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2010.09.019
Stoops, G. 2003. Guidelines for Analysis and Description of Soil and Regolith Thin Section. Soil Science Society of America, Ionc, Wisconsin, Madison, 184 pp.
Van Vliet-Lanoë, B. 2010. Frost action. In: Stoops, G., Marcelino, V. and Mees, F., (eds.), Interpretation of micromorphological features of soils and regoliths. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 81-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-53156-8.00006-4
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
© CSIC. Manuscripts published in both the print and online versions of this journal are the property of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, and quoting this source is a requirement for any partial or full reproduction.
All contents of this electronic edition, except where otherwise noted, are distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence. You may read the basic information and the legal text of the licence. The indication of the CC BY 4.0 licence must be expressly stated in this way when necessary.
Self-archiving in repositories, personal webpages or similar, of any version other than the final version of the work produced by the publisher, is not allowed.
Funding data
Ministerio de Educación y Ciencias
Grant numbers HAR2014-55131
Generalitat de Catalunya
Grant numbers 2014/100780