Taphonomy of the Batallones-3 y Batallones-10 (Late Vallesian, Madrid, Spain)

Tesis inédita de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Facultad de Ciencias Geológicas, leída el 17-12-2021El complejo paleontológico del Cerro de los Batallones está situado a 30 km al sur de Madrid (España). El cerro contiene un total de nueve yacimientos paleontológicos vallesienses (Mioceno Superior), hospedados en unas cavidades con una apertura en la zona superior formadas por procesos de piping. Las partes inferiores de estas cavidades están dominadas por restos fósiles de carnívoros, mientras que las superiores contienen asociaciones más típicas, dominadas por restos de herbívoros. Batallones-3 corresponde a la parte inferior, dominada por carnívoros. En cambio, Batallones-10 corresponde a la parte superior de la cavidad, dominada por restos de herbívoros.Batallones-3 fue excavado entre 2001 y 2017. La excavación de Batallones-10 empezó en 2007 y sigue en proceso a día de hoy. Los yacimientos han sido excavados siguiendo protocolos estándar de excavación y documentando en detalle la extracción de restos. Los datos recogidos en campo incluyen, entre otros, la identificación taxonómica y anatómica del resto, los datos espaciales (coordenadas x, y y z) y la dirección y el buzamiento de restos alargados...The Cerro de los Batallones (Batallones Butte) complex is located 30 km south of Madrid (Spain). The butte hosts a total of nine Vallesian (Late Miocene) palaeontological sites, found in cavities with an upper opening formed due to soil piping processes. The lower part of the cavities is overwhelmingly dominated by carnivoran remains, whereas the upper part hosts more common mammalian herbivore-dominated assemblages. Batallones-3 corresponds to the carnivoran-rich lower part of the structure. In turn, Batallones-10 corresponds to the herbivore-rich upper part of the cavity. Batallones-3 has been systematically excavated between the years 2001 and 2017, whereas excavations at Batallones-10 started in 2007 and are ongoing. Standard vertebrate excavation protocols have been followed in both sites, and the extraction of fossils has been exhaustively documented on-site. Data recovered includes taxonomical and anatomical identification, spatial data (x, y and z coordinates) and trend and plunge of elongated remains, among others...Fac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEunpu

La Piquera in central Iberian Peninsula : A new key vertebrate locality for the Early Pliocene of western Europe

Altres ajuts: CERCA Programme/Generalitat de CatalunyaWe introduce the new vertebrate site of La Piquera (Duero Basin, central Iberian Peninsula), provide a detailed description of the lithostratigraphy and present a preliminary faunal list. The fossil vertebrate association includes amphibians (with representatives of the families Salamandridae, Alytidae, Pelodytidae, and Bufonidae), squamate reptiles (with members of the families Agamidae, Lacertidae, Anguidae, Scincidae, Blanidae, ?Erycidae, and Colubridae/Psammophiidae), and mammals (with representatives of the families Soricidae, Erinaceidae, Muridae, Cricetidae, Gerbillidae, Gliridae, Sciuridae, Vespertilionidae, Rhinolophidae, Miniopteridae, Megadermatidae, Leporidae, Prolagidae, and Bovidae). The association indicates an intermediate biostratigraphic position between the southern Iberian sites of Sifón-413 (at about 5.33-5.23 Ma) and Botardo-D (between 4.79 and 4.63 Ma), the new locality being correlated with the earliest Ruscinian (lower part of the MN14 unit). The ecological affinities of the identified small vertebrates suggest the presence of a landscape dominated by open herbaceous meadows in the surroundings of the fossil-site during the earliest Pliocene, with the occasional presence of woodland patches and stable water bodies under relatively dry and warm environmental conditions. La Piquera therefore enhances our knowledge on the vertebrate community recorded in central Iberian Peninsula during the earliest Pliocene. With more than 1200 remains, La Piquera becomes a key locality for the Early Pliocene of southwestern Europe, central Spain, where this time-span is poorly represented

A step back to move forward: a geological re-evaluation of the El Castillo Cave Middle Palaeolithic lithostratigraphic units (Cantabria, northern Iberia)

El Castillo Cave is one of the most important sites for understanding the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic in Europe. Despite its importance, the absence of a widely used stratigraphic section with detailed lithostratigraphic descriptions and correlations between the different geological and archaeological interpretations has led to confusion in the correct identification of lithostratigraphic units in the lowermost, Middle Palaeolithic sequence. This study establishes a new lithostratigraphic framework for the site, which can be accurately correlated to previous geological and archaeological studies and generates a solid working basis for framing the Mousterian of El Castillo Cave in the Cantabrian region and southwestern Europe. The geological re-evaluation of Unit XX (‘Mousterian Alpha’) has expanded its chronology, now ranging from 49 130–43 260 cal bp to 70 400 ± 9600 bp. Unit XXII (‘Mousterian Bet’) would consequently yield an age older than 70 400 ± 9600 bp and younger than the underlying speleothem (Unit XXIIIb), dated to 89 000 +11 000/-10 000 bp

DigApp and TaphonomApp: Two new open-access palaeontological and archaeological mobile apps

Two new paleontological and archaeological Android applications, DigApp and TaphonomApp, are presented in this manuscript. DigApp is intended to aid data collection, storage and management in archaeological and palaeontological excavations. DigApp allows easily recording of common field information such as spatial data and fossil identification data. Online and offline versions of DigApp were developed to fit all needs, and they can be modified according to the excavation particularities. TaphonomApp was created in order to assist taphonomists while carrying out detailed taphonomical evaluations both in the field and in the laboratory, making data collection quicker, homogeneous and overall, more efficient. DigApp and TaphonomApp are free, open-access and flexible software, that can be easily modified by any user (without the need of expertise in computing or coding) as explained in this paper. An in-depth guide on how to modify the apps is provided within this paper. DigApp and TaphonomApp have been used during palaeontological excavations carried out at one of the Batallones Butte vertebrate sites (Batallones-10, Middle Miocene) in the Madrid basin (Spain)

Flint and Quartzite: Distinguishing Raw Material Through Bone Cut Marks

Since the 1980s, several experimental analyses have been able to differentiate some lithic tool types and some of their raw materials according to the morphology of cut marks imprinted by such tools when used for butchering activities. Thus, metal tool use has been differentiated in contexts with an abundance of lithic tools, or even the use of hand axes has been documented in carcass processing, in contrast with simple unretouched or retouched flakes. As important as this information is, there are still other important aspects to be analysed. Can cut marks produced with different lithic raw material types be differentiated? Can cut marks made with different types of the same raw material type be characterized and differentiated? The objective of this study is to evaluate if cut marks resulting from the use of different flints and different quartzites are distinguishable from each other. In the present work, an experimental analysis of hundreds of cut marks produced by five types of flint and five varieties of quartzite was carried out. Microphotogrammetry and geometric–morphometric techniques were applied to analyse these cut marks. The results show that flint cut marks and quartzite cut marks can be characterized at the assemblage level. Different types of flint produced cut marks that were not significantly different from each other. Cut marks made with Olduvai Gorge quartzite were significantly different from those produced with a set comprising several other types of quartzites. Crystal size, which is larger in Olduvai Gorge quartzites (0.5 mm) than Spanish quartzites (177–250 μm), is discussed as being the main reason for these statistically significant differences. This documented intra-sample and inter-sample variance does not hinder the resolution of the approach to differentiate between these two generic raw material types and opens the door for the application of this method in archaeological contexts

Universal design for learning and multisensory materials in the activities of Geodivulgar with the association Science without Barriers

Se muestran las actividades realizadas por el equipo multidisciplinar del Proyecto Geodivulgar: Geología y Sociedad con la asociación Ciencia sin Barreras entre el 2013 y la actualidad. Se describen las actividades en dos grandes líneas de trabajo, aquellas dirigidas a la divulgación y las que están pensadas para la autoformación, la difusión o la visibilización de nuestras actividades. Se destacan especialmente los aspectos relacionados con la preparación de materiales didácticos multisensoriales y con un diseño universal, ya que gran parte de la labor desarrollada por estos proyectos está destinada a público con diversidad funcional. La trayectoria del equipo permite ver que hay una demanda creciente en las actividades ofertadas y un reconocimiento de esta labor en forma de premios y menciones a nivel nacional e internacional.Activities carried out by the multidisciplinary team of “Geodivulgar: Geología y Sociedad” project with Science without Barriers Association since 2013 are shown. Activities are described as two main working lines: those aimed towards scientific outreach, and those planned for self-training and to disseminate our work, helping to make it more visible. Since most of the performed activities are targeted to people with functional diversity, aspects related to the tailoring of multi-sensory teaching materials with a universal design are highlighted. The team´s trajectory shows an increasing demand for the offered activities. Several international prizes have been awarded in recognition of our work.Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEUniversidad Complutense de MadridThe Jeremy Willson Charitable TrustGeological Society of Londonpu

En busca del primer Homo: gestión de la investigación arqueológica en la Garganta de Olduvai (Tanzania)

[EN] The sites at Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania) constitute a unique venue for the study of the first members of the genus Homo. The large amount of fossils recovered and the good state of preservation of these sites have boosted archaeological research in the Gorge throughout the years. The Olduvai Paleoanthropology and Paleoecology Project (TOPPP) research team, present at the Gorge since 2006, launched the construction of the Aguirre-Mturi Scientific Station within the limits of the Ngorongoro National Park with the aim of improving the working conditions and provide a safe working space. The safeguard of the archaeological materials was also one of the cornerstones during the design process and building of the station. The laboratory allows almost immediate cleaning, analysis and restoration of the materials recovered during field work. Meanwhile, in Spain, the Institute of Evolution in Africa (IDEA), current headquarters of the TOPPP team, was founded with the aim of promoting the study of African paleoanthropology and the origins of humankind in Africa. Along with the research work, TOPPP strives to bring the scientific knowledge to the general public in several ways, including the management of temporary and permanent exhibitions in Spain and Tanzania.[ES] Los yacimientos de la Garganta de Olduvai (Tanzania) constituyen un enclave único para el estudio de los primeros representantes del género Homo. La buena preservación de estos yacimientos y la cantidad de fósiles hallados en ellos posibilita que se sigan desarrollando excavaciones arqueológicas en este lugar. El equipo de investigación The Olduvai Paleoanthropology and Paleoecology Project (TOPPP), que trabaja en estos yacimientos desde 2006, promovió la construcción de la Estación Científica Aguirre-Mturi con el propósito de mejorar las condiciones laborales del personal investigador y de hacer del campamento un lugar seguro de trabajo. Durante el proceso de creación y construcción se tuvo en cuenta la salvaguarda de los materiales arqueológicos, y gracias a la existencia de un laboratorio en el campamento, es posible realizar tareas como la limpieza, el análisis y la restauración del material recuperado. En España, la creación del Instituto de Evolución en África (IDEA), sede actual del equipo TOPPP, nace con el objetivo de promover el estudio de la paleoantropología africana y el origen del ser humano en África. Junto a los trabajos de investigación, TOPPP realiza una intensa actividad divulgativa donde destaca la creación de exposiciones temporales y permanentes en España y Tanzania.A la Comisión para la Ciencia y la Tecnología (COSTECH), a la Autoridad del Área de Conservación del Ngorongoro (NCAA) y al Departamento de Antigüedades y al Ministerio de Turismo y Recursos Naturales en Tanzania por el permiso para investigar en la Garganta de Olduvai. Al Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades por el proyecto concedido (HAR2017-82463-C4-1-P) y por la financiación para los contratos predoctorales de Formación de Profesorado Universitario (FPU) de MVR y JA; al Ministerio de Cultura a través del Instituto de Patrimonio Cultural de España por las ayudadas concedidas para Proyectos Arqueológicos en el Exterior, y a la Fundación Palarq por las ayudas para apoyar las Misiones de Arqueología y Paleontología Españolas en el en el extranjero.Peer reviewe

Neo-taphonomic analysis of the Misiam leopard lair from Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania): understanding leopard–hyena interactions in open settings

Misiam is a modern wildebeest-dominated accumulation situated in a steep ravine covered with dense vegetation at Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania). It is interpreted here as a leopard lair to which carcasses have been transported for several years. Felid-specific bone damage patterns, felid-typical skeletal part profiles, taxonomic specialization and the physical presence of leopards observed by the authors show that leopards at Misiam can be specialized medium-sized carcass accumulators. Hyenas also intervened at intervals in the modification of the retrieved faunal assemblage. This makes Misiam a carnivore palimpsest. Here, we additionally show that leopards only transport and accumulate carcasses on occasions, that they can seem highly specialized despite being dietary generalists, and that such a behaviour may be prompted by seasonal competition or during the breeding season or both. Misiam is the first open-air leopard lair with a dense bone accumulation reported. There, leopards engaged in intensive accumulation of carcasses during the wet season, when the southern Serengeti short-grass plains undergo the effect of the famous wildebeest migration and this migratory species reaches the gorge. The ecological importance of this behaviour and its relevance as a proxy for reconstructing prehistoric carnivore behaviours are discussed