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Portus was the main port of imperial Rome from the 2nd century AD to the 5th century AD, with an inner, hexagonal port (Trajan basin) and an outer port (Claudius basin) linked by a channel bounded by quays. Six sedimentary facies have been differentiated in the geological analysis of a core extracted in this channel, basically composed of poorly classified bioclastic muds typical of restricted environments, accumulations of Posidonia oceanica (Linnaeus) Delile, 1813 and a final anthropic fill. The subfossil record of bivalves, foraminifera and ostracods is characteristic of Mediterranean brackish environments (lagoons, estuaries, deltas) with significant environmental stress, due to changes in the physical-chemical parameters and probably the periodic dredging of this seaway during a period of about 300 years. The presence of “Neptune balls” points to the development of probable stormy periods that deposit these unique structures in the internal areas of this historic port.

The malacological analysis of the Cañada Honda shell midden (Tinto-Odiel estuary, SW Spain) has allowed an approximation of the palaeo biodiversity of this sector during the Mesolithic. During this period, the progressive marine transgression caused the flooding of this estuary, coinciding with an initial intensive capture of the bivalves Lutraria and Ruditapes decussatus in the northern and southern sector of this site, respectively. In a second phase, Ruditapes decussatus was the main collected species in all sectors. This last period coincided with some diversification in catches, still dominated by Ruditapes decussatus but with significant proportions of Cerastoderma edule. This stage witnessed a progressive sedimentary filling of the estuary and the creation of marshes and barrier islands. The almost total fragmentation of the specimens would imply that the surface of this shell midden was exposed for a long time while in use. In addition, an occasional charring of some molluscs has been detected. The main molluscs of this site are also the most abundant in other later shell middens (∼cal 5.2–4 kyr BP), indicating an important perpetuation of the collecting and/or eating habits in this environment. All the species determined in them are also currently found in this estuary and its surroundings, where they are also captured.

This paper studies the malacofauna of four sediment cores collected in an old cove of the Tinto-Odiel estuary (SW Spain) to establish the chronology and spatial extent of MIS-1 transgression in this area. The paleoenvironmental interpretation based on facies analysis and the malacological record point to an evolution from a Miocene marine substrate to a final anthropic filling. During the late Pleistocene?-lower Holocene, this substrate was eroded by the fluvial network and alluvial sediments were deposited. During the maximum of the MIS-1 transgression (~ ca 6.5–5.4 kyr BP), this area was flooded and malacofauna is revealed as an excellent proxy of this transgression. Mesolittoral paleoenvironments dominated by the gastropod Peringia ulvae characterized the inner zones of the cove, while phanerogam meadows with abundant specimens of the gastropod Bittium reticulatum developed in the outermost areas. During the last 5400 years, this cove was progressively covered by marshes, although some mesolittoral paleoenvironments persisted until 4000 years BP.

Multivariate analyses have been applied to the REE contents of three cores collected in the Tinto estuary, SW Spain, an extremely polluted area. Results indicate an extremely correlation between all REE, which behave as a single variable. A slight natural pollution peak and three anthropogenic pollution peaks are identified, related with the first mining activities, the Roman period and a recent intensive mining accompanied by a heavy industrial pollution. In all these peaks, the increase of Cu is parallel to that of MREE, which are configured as the best indicators of pollution among REE. Statistical analyses clearly differentiate four groups, each consisting of samples from different environments. Although grain size and this strong pollution alter the study of REE as environmental indicators, it is possible to recognise groups of samples with a common origin or to identify the surface extent of a given pollution peak.

espanolEste trabajo analiza la evolucion vertical de facies y el contenido en Ag y Bi de un testigo continuo extraido en el estuario medio del rio Tinto (S.O. Espana). El analisis sedimentologico y paleontologico permite definir cuatro facies sedimentarias, caracteristicas de depositos aluviales (F1: 6,5-6,2 ka BP), la presencia de facies estuarinas durante la inundacion marina del sector coincidente con el maximo transgresivo holoceno y el periodo inmediatamente posterior (F2: 6,2-5,2 ka BP), el transito a marismas (F3: 5,2 ka BP-siglo XIX) y un relleno antropico de finales del siglo XX. Los contenidos de Ag y Bi permiten precisar tres periodos principales de contaminacion historica: i) inicio de las actividades mineras y explotacion de Ag durante la edad de Bronce (~4,5-3,2 ka BP); ii) periodo de maxima intensidad de la explotacion minera romana (siglos I-II DC); y iii) mineria intensiva reciente (desde 1870). EnglishThis paper analyzes the vertical evolution of facies and the Ag and Bi contents of a continuous core extracted in the middle estuary of the Tinto river (S.O. Spain). The sedimentological and paleontological analysis allows to define four sedimentary facies, characteristics of alluvial deposits (F1: 6.5-6.2 ka BP), the marine flooding of the sector during the maximum of the Holocene transgression and the period immediately after (F2: 6.2 -5.2 ka BP), the transition to marshes (F3: 5.2-19th century) and an anthropic landfill since the end of the 20th century. The concentrations of Ag and Bi make it possible to specify three main periods of historical contamination: i) the start of mining activities and the exploitation of Ag during the Bronze Age (~ 4.5-3.2 ka BP); ii) the period of maximum intensity of Roman mining (1st-2nd centuries DC); and iii) recent intensive mining (since 1870).

The multidisciplinary analysis (dating, texture, total mineralogy) of two deep cores collected in the Donana National Park (SW Spain) allows to distinguish the main features of three tsunami deposits found in three different paleoenvironmental scenarios (TSU-1: inner area of an open lagoon; TSU-2: inner area of a restricted lagoon; TSU- 3: outer area of a restricted lagoon). The main textural feature of the inner lagoonal tsunami deposits is the increase in bioclastic sands, while the outer TSU-3 is composed almost entirely of medium and fine sands without bioclasts. The mineralogical analysis of TSU-1 and TSU-2 reveals a decrease in phyllosilicates in the basal layers of these tsunami deposits and a parallel increase of quartz, feldspars, dolomite and sometimes calcite. Silica is the main component of TSU-3, whose mineralogical composition changes progressively due to the action of tidal currents in the inlet lagoon on which it is deposited. This rich- SiO2 outer tsunami deposit is derived from the erosion of the adjacent aeolian systems, while the inner TSU-1 and TSU-2 were generated by the transport of bioclastic sands from the outermost parts through the lagoon (TSU-1), or through a nearby tidal channel (TSU-2).

Las caráceas constituyen un grupo importante de macrófitos acuáticos en el Parque Nacional de Doñana. En este artículo, se estudia la distribución de sus girogonitos en diversos medios de este espacio protegido (lagunas temporales, surgencias, caños, márgenes del río Guadalquivir, etc), relacionándola tanto con las variables físico-químicas como con la textura y mineralogía del sedimento. Se efectúa una revisión del registro geológico de este grupo en diversos testigos compuestos por sedimentos pleistocenos y holocenos.

Well-preserved tracks of the wild boar Sus scrofa are described from the Matalascañas Trampled Surface (MTS) in the upper Pleistocene aeolian basal unit of the El Asperillo Cliff, Huelva (southwestern Spain). These are the first published tracks of suid pigs in the fossil record, here formally described as Suidichnus galani igen. and isp. nov. A revision of valid artiodactyl ichnogenera is provided for comparison. The large size of wild boar found in the Late Pleistocene of Spain contradicts the general trend towards smaller size known for the evolution of the species and the Bergmann's ecogeographical rule for the extant subspecies. In the present case, the remarkable large size that can be reached by these tracks is discussed as an ecomorphological adaptation of wild boars to either resource bonanza, and/or predation pressure during the Last Interglacial. The large S. scrofa scrofa identified in MTS corresponds to some of the earliest evidences known to this subspecies in Iberia.

In his short joint ventures across the world of vertebrate tracks, Richard Bromley recognized the aeolian sands as unsuitable soft substrates for their preservation. Only after his work in the Bale...

The Doñana National Park is a Biosphere Reserve located within the estuary of the Guadalquivir River (SW Spain). It is mainly composed of extensive fluvio-tidal marshes partially protected by an elongated sandy spit. Three phases have been distinguished in the late Holocene evolution of this spit based on textural, geochemical, palaeontological and, chronological data recorded in a long core (31 m). Phase 1 (890 BCE-218 BCE) is characterized by the alternation of lagoonal silty sediments and slightly polluted marsh deposits, the latter with contamination from thousand-year-old mining. Phase 2 (218 BCE-90 CE) is characterized by several historical tsunamis, which caused the erosion of previous dune systems and the deposit of these sandy sediments on the adjacent bottom of the lagoon. Phase 3 (90 CE-Present) includes a regressive sequence (lagoonal bottom-marsh-dune system), with the pollution of lagoonal sediments due to Roman mining activities.

In the Iberian Peninsula the fossil record of artiodactyls spans over 53 million years. During the Pleistocene, wild cattle species such as Bison and especially Bos became common. In Late Pleistocene, the aurochs (Bos primigenius) was widespread and the only bovine living along the large river valleys of southern Iberia. Although commonly found in fossil sites and especially in cave bone assemblages, the trace fossil record of aurochs was known worldwide only from the Holocene. Large bovine and roe deer/caprine tracks were found in at least five horizons of the early Late Pleistocene (MIS 5) beach and eolian deposits of Cape Trafalgar (Cadiz Province, South of Spain). The large bovine tracks are formally described as Bovinichnus uripeda igen. et isp. nov. and compared with the record of aurochs tracks, large red deer tracks and steppe bison biogeographical distribution in Iberia. Aurochs were the most likely producers of the newly described Trafalgar Trampled Surface (TTS) and some of the large artiodactyl tracks in the Matalascañas Trampled Surface, representing the oldest aurochs track record known. This new evidence, together with comparisons with the record of possible aurochs tracks in the Mid-Late Pleistocene coastal deposits from the Asperillo cliff section in Matalascañas (Huelva Province, SW Spain) and bone assemblages known in Gibraltar, point to a recurrent use of the coastal habitat by these large artiodactyls in SW Iberia., Fieldwork was partially supported by the Research Groups RNM-293, University of Huelva & Junta de Andalucía and Naturtejo, E.I.M., to CNC. Research work of SF is supported by the FCT (Science and Technology Foundation), through projects UID/Multi/00073/2020 Geosciences Center-Coimbra University. N. Moreira (ICT) is financed by FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., under the programmatic project Ref. UIDB/04683/2020. We acknowledge the contributions of the Editor and the two reviewers that greatly improved the text.

This paper analyzes the first systematic faunal record of the 1755 Lisbon tsunami in the Mediterranean. On the basis of sedimentological and paleontological features, the sedimentary record of a core collected in Gibraltar was divided into six sedimentary facies, with a paleoenvironmental evolution from a shallow marine paleoenviroment to an increasingly restricted lagoon. This record includes a bioclastic layer deposited by the 1755 Lisbon tsunami and characterized by an erosive base, presence of basal rip-up clasts and abundant shell debris composed by marine and brackish molluscs. The paleoenvironmental reconstruction derived from the foraminiferal analysis is congruent with that inferred from the sedimentary and the macrofaunal reconstructions, with the introduction of brackish species into the innermost, intertidal areas of a confined lagoon. This paleontological record is the first faunal evidence of the 1755 Lisbon tsunami in the Mediterranean., We thank the Gibraltar National Museum and its Director, Dr. Clive Finlayson, for the efforts made to conserve and acquire the BH borehole core. In addition, we thank the review of Dr. Akihisa Kitamura and Dr. Briony Mamo, whose suggestions greatly improved the manuscript, and the associate-editor of Geobios, Dr. Frédéric Quillévéré, for his kind help and comments during the revision process. This research was supported by two postdoctoral fellows of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation Government (Subprograma JDCMICINN, JCI-2010-06160) and the Huelva University (PP2010 P-01). Furthermore, this work is carried out through DGYCIT project CTM2006-06722/MAR, DGYCIT project CGL2006-01412, FEDER 2014-2020 project UHU-126029, PID2021- 127268NB-I00 project funded by MCIN/ AEI /10.13039/50110 0011033/ and by FEDER, and AYUDA PUENTE 2021 project M2615 of the Rey Juan Carlos University. Other funds have come from the Andalusian Government (groups RNM-238, RNM-293 and RNM-349) and Autonomous University of Madrid (GPG-418 Research Group). It is a contribution to the Research Center in Historical, Cultural and Natural Heritage (CIPHCN) of the University of Huelva.

The Tinto and Odiel rivers (SW Spain) drain from a vast sulfide mining district and join at a 20-km-long estuary that enters the Atlantic Ocean. In this work, the contents of rare earth elements (REE) and fractionation in Neogene–Holocene sediment cores from La Fontanilla cove (Tinto estuary) were studied. The sediments were collected from a depth of 18 m at different distances from the recent river flow and were analyzed for new information on the temporal development of the REE load in the sediment column. Results show that the å REE is higher in the finer sediments and during periods of mining activity from prehistoric to recent times. Marine influence appears to increase the light REE (LREE) relative to the heavy REE (HREE). The REE patterns of these estuarine sediments show convex curvatures in the MREE relative to the LREE and HREE, indicating the presence of acid-mixing processes between the fluvial waters affected by acid mine drainage (AMD) and seawater, as well as the precipitation of poorly crystalline mineral phases. Significant positive Eu anomalies were found in ebb-tide channels and marsh deposits, which can reflect the mineralogical composition and/or a strong localized salinity gradient combined with organic matter degradation. Sedimentological characteristics of the deposits appear to play the main role in accumulation and fractionation of the REE, Funds came from the Andalusian Government (groups RNM-238 and RNM-293), the town hall of Palos de la Frontera, and the FEDER 2014–2020 project UHU-1260298, which is a contribution to the Research Center in Historical, Cultural, and Natural Heritage (CIPHCN) of the University of Huelva. The C2TN/IST authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the FCT (the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation) through the UIDB/04349/2020 project and the post-doctoral grant SFRH/BPD/114986/2016

The southwestern Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula presents an important Roman heritage that includes numerous fish-salting workshops, with an industrial activity that went on for almost a millennium (1st century BC-7th century AD). Nevertheless, a future broad research is still necessary to determine the geologic substratum on which they are based, their palaeoenvironmental evolution, their main economic objectives and the byproducts derived from their activities. This paper is focused on the geology, dating and the archaeological record of La Cascajera, a new site located in the Tinto-Odiel estuary (SW Spain). This new cetaria occupied the northwestern end of La Cascajera ridge (Saltés Island), constituted by sandy, bioclastic deposits of previous washover fans (1st-2th centuries AD). During the main period of activity (middle of 4th century AD-5th century AD), the existence of a certain typology of amphorae as well as the documentation of a shell deposit formed mostly by Glycymeris suggest that this factory was oriented to the production of mixed fish sauces and the handling of edible bivalves. The main features of this deposit (texture, paleontology, taphonomy) could be used to differentiate middens from natural shelly ridges, La costa suratlántica de la Península Ibérica posee un importante legado romano que incluye numerosos talleres halieúticos, con una actividad que se desarrolló durante casi un milenio (siglo I a.C.-siglo VII d.C.). Sin embargo, se precisan nuevas investigaciones que determinen el contexto geológico en el que se desarrollaron, su evolución paleoambiental, sus principales objetivos económicos y los subproductos derivados de sus actividades. Este trabajo se centra en la geología, datación y registro arqueológico de La Cascajera, un nuevo yacimiento localizado en el estuario de los ríos Tinto y Odiel (S.O. de España). Esta nueva cetaria ocupaba el extremo noroccidental de la cresta de La Cascajera (Isla de Saltés), constituida por depósitos bioclásticos arenosos de abanicos de derrame previos (siglos I-II d.C.). Durante su principal periodo de actividad (mitad del siglo IV d.C.-siglo V d.C.), la existencia de una cierta tipología de ánforas así como la existencia de un conchero formado principalmente por Glycymeris sugieren que esta factoría estaba dedicada a la producción de salsas mixtas de pescado y la extracción de bivalvos comestibles. Las principales características de este conchero (textura, paleontología, tafonomía) podrían ser usadas para diferenciar concheros de acumulaciones naturales de conchas, This work has been carried out through the project ́From the Atlantic to the Tyrrhenian. The hispanic ports and their commercial relations with Ostia Antica. DEATLANTIR II - HAR2017-89154-P - (Plan Nacional de I+D+i). Other funds have come from Andalusian Gouvernement (groups HUM-132, RNM-238 and RNM-293). It is a contribution to the Research Center in Historical, Cultural and Natural Heritage (CIPHCN) of the University of HuelvaThis work has been carried out through the project ´From the Atlantic to the Tyrrhenian. The hispanic ports and their commercial relations with Ostia Antica. DEATLANTIR II - HAR2017-89154-P - (Plan Nacional de I+D+i). Other funds have come from Andalusian Gouvernement (groups HUM-132, RNM-238 and RNM-293). It is a contribution to the Research Center in Historical, Cultural and Natural Heritage (CIPHCN) of the University of Huelva

A multidisciplinar analysis of sediments collected in diferent environments of the Doñana National Park (Guadalquivir estuary, SW Spain) provides an overview of the textural, mineralogical and physico-chemical parameters that control the distribution of benthic foraminiferal tests in this Biosphere Reserve. These microorganisms are absent in the fne quartzitic sands that constitute the substrate of temporary ponds with brief hydroperiods located in the dune systems and spits, as well as in other ponds with low conductivities or hypersaline conditions located in the inner marshlands or near the Guadalquivir river banks. Dead benthic foraminifera are mainly found on phyllosilicate-rich, silty-clayey substrates. The taphonomic analysis of the main species (Ammonia tepida, Haynesina germanica, Trochammina infata, Entzia macrescens) points to its deposit in situ. Cluster analysis permits to delimitate six foraminiferal assemblages. Cluster II (A. tepida+H. germanica) is the dominant assemblage in the central ponds and the margins of the main channels, while cluster IV (T. infata+E. macrescens) is restricted to some ponds located on the high marsh and cluster VI (Ammonia beccarii+Quinqueloculina spp.) is abundant on external beaches. Tidal fuxes cause the transport of these last marine benthic species and some plaktonic forms both to the inner areas of the estuary and to these beaches. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Valencina (Seville, Spain) is one of the most important megalithic sites of the third millennium BCE in Western Europe. Among its most celebrated monuments are the tholoi of Montelirio, La Pastora, Matarrubilla, and Structure 10.042-10.049. Although sharing the same architectural tradition, these monuments were raised at different times of Valencina’s history and present important formal differences. In particular, the tholoi of La Pastora and Matarrubilla contrast with that of Montelirio in that they are devoid of artistic ornamentation such as paintings and engravings, showing instead an inordinate number of natural geological features. This study, focusing on La Pastora and Matarrubilla, offers an innovative approach to the notion of “megalithic art.” Firstly, these elements are characterized and classified and their natural origin established. Thus, the calcareous sandstone blocks dated from the Tertiary reveal structures on their surfaces generated by biological (bioturbation) and physical (by currents) processes during the Neogene. The surfaces of certain slabs of identical lithology at La Pastora experienced more recent intense marine bioerosion and bioconstructions in the form of Ostrea preserved to this date. Secondly, we emphasize the choice of different rock types following a certain pattern or serving to highlight a particular constructive element. In sum, all the natural elements bear highly aesthetic qualities and appear to have been deliberately chosen to highlight specific decorative or symbolic aspects. As a result, we suggest that future research on “megalithic art” should include analogous geological examinations in order to discern the origin and nature of the different elements.

In environmental age dating the 230Th/232Th activity ratio is widely used as an indicator of detrital contamination. A clear relationship between this activity ratio and the carbonate sample’s age has previously been demonstrated, whereby a detrital correction must be applied when the 230Th/232Th activity ratio of the leach drops to 20. We demonstrate that in some cases carbonate samples with 230Th/232Th well above 20 must be corrected, otherwise an overestimation of the sample’s age is obtained. Evaluation of the relationship between 230Th/234U and 230Th/232Th in the carbonate’s aliquots will enable evalua-tion of the limit at which a carbonate can be considered pure or impure. European Union (UE) EU MEDOC Programme: 2002-02-4.1-U-048

This paper investigates the paleoenvironmental evolution of a core extracted in the middle sector of the Tinto River estuary, SW Spain, one of the most polluted areas in the world due to mining over thousands of years (>4 kyr BP) and recent industrial discharges. This evolution includes alluvial sands (>6.4 cal kyr BP), bioclastic sands and silts deposited in subtidal and intertidal channels during and after the Holocene transgression maximum (6.4-4.3 cal kyr BP), the sedimentation of clayey-sandy silts in low and high marshes during the last 2.4 kyr BP and a final anthropic filling. Three sharp peaks of pollution have been detected, representing a) a natural origin during the Holocene transgression; b) the impact of the first mining activities (~4.5 cal kyr BP); and c) the effect of industrial discharge and a new period of mining activity throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Foraminifera, ostracods and molluscs disappeared during these last two peaks., Este trabajo investiga la evolución paleoambiental inferida a partir del estudio de un testigo extraído en el sector medio del estuario del río Tinto (SO de España), una de las zonas más contaminadas del mundo por actividades mineras milenarias (>4 kyr BP) y descargas industriales recientes. Esta evolución incluye arenas aluviales (>6.4 cal kyr BP), arenas bioclásticas y limos depositados en canales submareales e intermareales durante y después del máximo transgresivo holoceno (6.4-4.3 cal kyr BP), la sedimentación de limos arcillosos-arenosos marismeños durante los últimos 2.4 kyr BP y un relleno antrópico final. Se han detectado tres picos de contaminación, que proceden de: a) un origen natural durante el máximo transgresivo holoceno; b) el impacto de las primeras actividades mineras (~ 4.5 kyr BP); y c) el efecto conjunto de los vertidos industriales y un nuevo período de actividad minera durante los siglos XIX y XX. Los foraminíferos, ostrácodos y moluscos desaparecieron durante estos dos últimos picos.

Tracks and trackways of newborns, calves and juveniles attributed to straight-tusked elephants were found in the MIS 5 site (Upper Pleistocene) known as the Matalascañas Trampled Surface (MTS) at Huelva, SW Spain. Evidence of a snapshot of social behaviour, especially parental care, can be determined from the concentration of elephant tracks and trackways, and especially from apparently contemporaneous converging trackways, of small juvenile and larger, presumably young adult female tracks. The size frequency of the tracks enabled us to infer body mass and age distribution of the animals that crossed the MTS. Comparisons of the MTS demographic frequency with the morphology of the fore- and hind limbs of extant and fossil proboscideans shed light into the reproductive ecology of the straight-tusked elephant, Palaeloxodon antiquus. The interdune pond habitat appeared to have been an important water and food resource for matriarchal herds of straight-tusked elephants and likely functioned as a reproductive habitat, with only the rare presence of adult and older males in the MTS. The preservation of this track record in across a paleosol surface, although heavily trampled by different animals, including Neanderthals, over a short time frame, permitted an exceptional view into short-term intraspecific trophic interactions occurring in the Last Interglacial coastal habitat. Therefore, it is hypothesized that Neanderthals visited MTS for hunting or scavenging on weakened or dead elephants, and more likely calves. Research was possible thanks to the Delegaciones territoriales de Huelva, Consejería de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Desarrollo Sostenible and Consejería de Cultura (Junta de Andalucía), Servicio de Geodiversidad y Bio-diversidad (Dirección General de Medio Natural, Biodiversidad y Espacios Protegidos) and The National Park of Doñana. Thanks to Juan Jose Negro for several photos provided and Ramón López Romero during fieldwork. This work has been supported by the Research Groups RNM-293 and RNM-238, University of Huelva & Junta de Andalucía, and by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, (with FEDER and COMPETE 2020 funds) under the project UIDB/MAR/04292/2020 (MARE — Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre). CNC would like to thank the financial support from the Câmara Municipal de Odemira. This work also received institutional support from the Naturtejo, E.I.M. (Naturtejo UNESCO Global Geopark). We would like to thank to all the colleagues who have collaborated in the field campaigns. The authors extend their warm appreciation to the Editorial Board member Matteo Belvedere and the reviewers Lara Sciscio and an anonymous that helped to significantly improve the present paper.

Trabajo científico sobre unas cuentas de collar halladas en el monumento prehistórico del tholos de La Pastora. Estas cuentas son conchas de una especie de Balanus (Chthamalus montagui), siendo la primera vez que se documenta este uso en este tipo de organismos litorales. En el trabajo se extraen conclusiones paleoambientales, del medio del que se extranjeron y cronológicas absolutas del uso del tholos., The study of a set of marine arthropod shells from an archaeological excavation carried out in 1991–1992 in the tholos of La Pastora (Cooper Age Mega-site of Valencina-Castilleja, S Spain), has highlighted the environmental implications and ornamental use as beads not cited so far for this purpose. It is the barnacle species Chthamalus montagui Southward, 1976, of which are preserved 71 complete specimens. In this study a taxonomic analysis of these organisms is carried out, determining their classification and their physical and ecological characteristics, which make them especially suitable for this use. The interpretation is made regarding the environment in which these organisms were collected during the 3rd millennium BCE. Thus, it points towards a protected coastal area, but with a predominant marine influence, such as the wide marine bay that formed the mouth of the Guadalquivir River in those times. Finally, a radiocarbon analysis of one of these beads and two specimens of another species of barnacle collected in the rocks of the monument, provide a time range of 2760–2200 yr BCE. This range is consistent with the period of activity in the monument estimated by other authors., Ayuntamiento de Valencina de la Concepción "Projecto de Investigación Geoarqueológica en el área de el tholos de La Pastora". -EPIT-2020 de la Universidad de Huelva (Proyectos IP Noveles 636). -Grupo de Investigación RNM 293 "Geomorfología Ambiental y Recursos Hídricos", Universidad de Huelva.

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Vanguard Cave is an archaeological site located on the shoreline of the Rock of Gibraltar at the south-western extreme of the Iberian Peninsula. It is part of a limestone cave system facing the adjacent Governor's Beach on the south-eastern coast of Gibraltar and has been filled to the roof with more than 17 m of sedimentary deposits. Due to its long stratified sequence, comprising rich palaeoenvironmental and faunal records as well as multiple Palaeolithic occupation layers, Vanguard Cave provides valuable information for our understanding of human behaviour and dispersal across south-eastern Iberia in general and particularly about the strategic role of the promontory of Gibraltar for past human populations. The development of a reliable absolute chronology for the sedimentary sequence at Vanguard Cave is therefore of great importance in this context. In this study, we applied optically-stimulated luminescence dating to sand-sized quartz grains from the uppermost ∼4 m of the Vanguard Cave deposits, as well as from the Hyaena Cave sediments – a small niche adjacent to the main cave chamber. We use single-grain and multiple-grain dating to clarify the depositional history of the sedimentary sequence, as well as to assess the reliability of the two dating approaches and their potential for future chronological studies at the site. The single-grain and multi-grain ages are consistent with one another and indicate no partial bleaching or post-depositional mixing of the sediments. Our results suggest that Vanguard Cave experienced continuous sediment accumulation probably since the last sea-level highstand in MIS 5, and was completely filled by ∼43 ka (MIS 3). The eastern side of the Rock of Gibraltar faced an exposed coastal shelf covered with savannah and an active coastal dune system during MIS 3. Our results indicate that similar environmental conditions are likely to have persisted also during MIS 4 and large parts of MIS 5.

This paper presents pollen analyses on hyaena coprolites from Vanguard Cave, Gibraltar, with the aim of depicting the vegetation landscapes of the southern Iberian Neanderthals during the MIS 3. The Palaeolithic vegetation in the surroundings included pine, oak, juniper, Pistacia, and mixed woodlands, savannahs, riverine forest patches, heliophytic matorrals, rocky scrub with chamaephytes and hemicryptophytes, grasslands with heaths, shrubby grasslands, steppe-like saltmarshes, and littoral vegetation. We compare our results to those of previous palaeobotanical study in the adjacent Gorham's Cave providing data for the MIS 3 and MIS 2. Placing the palaeobotanical records of Vanguard and Gorham's Caves in European context, the southern coasts of Iberia emerge as the most thermic refugium of the Late Quaternary, which has important implications for existing arguments about the long survival of Neanderthals in the Iberian Peninsula. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.

The great site of Valencina de la Concepción, near Seville in the lower Guadalquivir valley of south-west Spain, is presented in the context of debate about the nature of Copper Age society in southern Iberia as a whole. Many aspects of the layout, use, character and development of Valencina remain unclear, just as there are major unresolved questions about the kind of society represented there and in southern Iberia, from the late fourth to the late third millennia cal BC. This paper discusses 178 radiocarbon dates, from 17 excavated sectors within the 450ha site, making it the best dated in later Iberian prehistory as a whole. Dates are formally modelled in a Bayesian statistical framework. The bulk of samples were chosen from the varied mortuary contexts, from pits and artificial caves to megalithic tholos tombs, which constitute a major part of the archaeology of Copper Age Valencina. The resulting formal date estimates provide the basis for both a new epistemological approach to the site as well as a much more detailed narrative of its development than previously available. Beginning in the 32nd century cal BC, a long-lasting tradition of simple, mainly collective and often successive burial was established at the site. There is plenty of evidence for a wide range of other activity, but no clear sign of permanent, large-scale residence or public buildings or spaces. Probably by the 30th or 29th century cal BC, a new form of mortuary practice had emerged alongside older traditions, in the shape of the distinctive megalithic tholos tombs, some of which contained exotic and abundant goods accompanying the dead. Though the models lack precision, this phase of showy funerals and social display, perhaps aimed at establishing new forms of descent and social hierarchisation partly based on the manipulation of the past, may not have lasted much beyond the 28th century cal BC. It is possible that activity as a whole had declined before the middle of the third millennium cal BC, and around 2500 cal BC, dated sectors indicate further changes in mortuary practice, with possible single events, containing in one instance signs of defleshing (perhaps associated with violence); by this date, Bell Beaker pottery was present on the site. Major monuments, such as La Pastora and Matarrubilla were probably also late constructions. At least some of the ditches known at the site probably also belong late in the sequence. Overall, a pattern is indicated of initial establishment and consolidation of mortuary tradition, followed by the emergence of the more elaborate tholos architecture and the sometimes exotic contents. Funerary activity probably declined in intensity in the second quarter of the third millennium cal BC but was followed by a resurgence including the construction of the grand tholos of La Pastora in the generations around 2500 cal BC. This resurgence was relatively brief and the intensive funerary activity probably ended during the 24th century cal BC. Results in general support a model of increasingly competitive but ultimately unstable social relations.

The work in the inner area of Gorham’s Cave, Gibraltar, has added to the Palaeolithic art located in the cave. Although work continues on the surveying and the study of the evidence found up to now, we present here a preview consisting of a representation of a red deer, and also a hand stencil, alongside numerous marks which have been found scattered throughout the inner cave. In this paper we present new data on the Upper Palaeolithic rock art in Gorham’s Cave (Gibraltar) including direct dating of a hand stencil. Situating this dating in the archaeological context of the stencil, we conclude that it is associated with the Solutrean technocomplexe. This is particularly significant in the light of recent reviews which put European hand stencils in the context of the Early or Initial Upper Palaeolithic. In this context, the Gorham data opens the discussion on the systematic chronological correlation of all hands in negatives of European Palaeolithic rock art.

The elemental content&mdash, mainly trace elements&mdash, of samples from two boreholes (PLN, CM) with evidence of tsunamiites, located in the Do&ntilde, ana National Park (SW Spain), were studied. The geochemical variations of the REE, LILE, HFSE, and other elements (Al, Ti, S, Na, Br, Sc, Co, Cr) were interpreted according to the mineralogy present in the samples. The results obtained show the geochemical complexity of the estuarine paleoenvironments, in this case with the existence of three Holocene-age tsunamigenic deposits (around 4.25, 3.56 and 2.2&ndash, 2 kyr BP). The statistical analysis of the samples&rsquo, geochemistry, by means of linear correlation and factor analysis, made it possible to differentiate two associations. The first is representative of an inherited mineralogy (REE-Y-Rb-Sr-Cs-Th-U-Hf-Al-Ti-Co-Cr-Sc), the second includes elements (Br-Na) linked to mineral formation under evaporite conditions (halite). The trace element geochemistry of sediments thus becomes an excellent tool to identify tsunamiites in the studied zone, especially those elements that are clear proxies for marine incursions (Na, Br, Sr) and high energy events (Hf, Ti). The parent area of the provenance of the materials is mainly of felsic composition.

S. Fernández, J.S. Carrión, J. Ochando, P. González-Sampériz, M. Munuera, G. Amorós, J.M. Postigo-Mijarra, C. Morales-Molino, P. García-Murillo, G. Jiménez-Moreno, J.A. López-Sáez, F. Jiménez-Espejo, L.M. Cáceres, J. Rodríguez-Vidal, G. Finlayson, S. Finlayson, C. Finlayson Erratum to “New palynological data from the Late Pleistocene glacial refugium of South-West Iberia: The case of Doñana” [Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology (2021) PALBO 104431] Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, Volume 296, January 2022, Pages 104566, The Doñana area in southern Iberia is one of the most renowned protected areas of Europe, mostly due to the diversity and value of its wetland ecosystems. The large biogeographical significance of this territory and the outstanding availability of sedimentary archives have made this region a hotspot of paleobotanical research in the Iberian Peninsula. Specifically, the organic deposits on El Asperillo Cliff have been studied during the past few decades from the geomorphological and paleobotanical (pollen, macrofossils) points of view. However, large uncertainties remain concerning the chronology of certain sections of the exposed profile and the paleobotanical potential of this site has not been fully exploited yet. In this study, we revisited El Asperillo with the aims of completing the paleobotanical record and refining the chronology of this site. The age of the studied deposits ranges from ca. 22,000 to 30,900 cal. yr BP according to the radiocarbon dates obtained, thus embracing the particularly cold and dry Heinrich Event 2 and the Last Glacial Maximum. Our palynological results allow inferring the presence of a coastal marshland system. Additionally, the new pollen records highlight the relevance and diversity of pines (Pinus nigra-sylvestris type, P. pinaster, P. halepensis-pinea type) in the Late Pleistocene landscape of Doñana, reinforcing the native status of pines. Last but not least, the results stress the persistence of a highly diverse woody flora in Doñana during the harshest periods of the last glacial cycle, highlighting the importance of this enclave in postglacial vegetation recolonization of the Iberian Peninsula., The development of this work was supported by Projects FEDER/Ministry of Science and Innovation, Agencia Estatal de Investigación CGL-BOS2015-68604-P and PID2019-1049449GB-I00), 261-2011 Organismo Autónomo de Parques Nacionales and Fundación Séneca grant 20788/PI/18

Here we report the discovery of ceramic fragments that form part of a Gorgoneion, a ceramic image representation of the Gorgon Medusa. The fragments were found in a deep part of Gorham’s Cave, well known to ancient mariners as a natural shrine, between the 8th and 2nd century BCE. We discuss the context of this discovery, both within the inner topography of the cave itself, and also the broader geographical context. The discovery is situated at the extreme western end of the Mediterranean Sea, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. The location was known to ancient mariners as the northern Pillar of Herakles, which marked the end of the known world. We relate the discovery, and its geographical and chronological context, to Greek legends that situated the lair of the Gorgon sisters at a location which coin- cides with the physical attributes and geographical position of Gorham’s Cave. We thus pro- vide, uniquely, a geographical and archaeological context to the myth of Perseus and the slaying of the Gorgon Medusa.

On August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus departed from the port of Palos de la Frontera, located in a small cove in southwestern Spain, and returned to this same port on March 15, 1493. On the basis of sedimentology, geochemistry, paleontology and dating of a long core (18 m) collected in this cove, thirteen facies are distinguished in the Neogene-Holocene evolution of its sedimentary infilling, with a transition from Miocene marine environments to Late Holocene marshes, going through an intermediate period that includes fluvial gravels, alluvial sediments and shallow coastal deposits that characterize the maximum of the Fladrian transgression in this area (~6.5 cal kyr BP). These data and others contributed by historical sources allow an approximate reconstruction of this cove at the end of the 15th century.

We compare the Middle Palaeolithic sites of Gibraltar and Zafarraya in southern Iberia. We use birds as indicators of environmental quality and demonstrate huge differences between coastal and inland, mountain, sites separated by less than 150 km. We conclude that the Gibraltar sites represented locations of repeated occupation by Neanderthals over tens of millennia whereas Zafarraya represents a site of sporadic visits for particular prey. This is in response to very different climatic conditions. Our results show how important ecological quality is in understanding Palaeolithic sites and metapopulations and how birds are particularly informative in our understanding of the ecology of such sites.

The March 2015 extraordinary hydrometeorological event in the Andes cordillera caused severe floods in the southern Atacama Desert. One of the most affected cities was Copiapo (northern Chile) located downstream of the junction between the Copiapo river and its ephemeral tributary Quebrada Paipote. This work analyses the features of this catastrophic flood and relates them with the identified impacts. A large volume of water mixed with fine sediments overflowed the tributary channel generating a flood that affected 72% of the urban area. The rheological (velocity, density and flow regime) and sedimentary features of the flow reveal the occurrence of massive mudflows that infilled the space available inside the buildings, buried the streets with a sandy mud deposit of more than 30 cm medium thickness and collapsed the sewer network. The post-event survey carried out by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MINVU) was used for the development of fragility curves that allows modelling the probability of damage. Results indicate that the greatest probability of building damage is generated by the accumulation of sediments instead of by the flow depth. On the other hand, once the very fine grain sediments of the top of the deposit dried up, it increased the concentration of post-event suspension particulate matter, causing a health issue. This work highlights the need to understand mudflow processes and their consequences in arid environments to improve urban planning and mitigate future damages since their impacts strongly affect infrastructures and communities.

In 2015 an extraordinary hydrometeorological event occurred in the southern Atacama Desert (northern Chile) that resulted in a catastrophic flood in the city of Copiapo. A large volume of detrital sediments was transported downstream, provoking an economic and environmental disaster in the Copiapo Valley, a region dominated by mining activity. Loads of sediment and residues were moved by the flow and deposited throughout the urban area of Copiapo. The current study explores the geochemical features and associated pollution risks of metal(loid)s in sediments collected in different points of the city after the flood event. Results revealed that, despite the high natural concentration of elements due to geogenic chemical composition of the area, geoaccumulation of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb showed moderate contamination when compared to the background concentrations of the area. Furthermore, Hg, originating from legacy mining practices, constituted the main environmental risk associated with the flood sediments. Finally, data from this study were compared to other flood events and mining spills; some contaminants in the 2015 flood sediments in Copiapo were higher than some historical mining disasters. This work highlights the potential intersection between anthropogenic activities (mining) and extreme hydrometeorological events (floods) in arid environmental degraded areas.

In recent decades, numerous studies have focused on the paleoenvironmental reconstruction of coastal areas, with special emphasis on the detection of tsunami layers. These multidisciplinary investigations usually do not study the mineralogy of the environment as well as the underlying or overlying layers.This paper analyzes the whole-rock mineralogy and clay minerals contained in seven short cores obtained in the Donana National Park (SW Spain) and deposited during the 5.000–1.500 cal. yr BP interval.The main purpose is to deduce the paleoenvironments from which the sedimentary facies present in them were formed and an approximation to the transport mechanisms involved in their formation. Results of X-ray diffraction analysis indicate that the main minerals are phyllosilicates, quartz and calcite, with smectites and illite being the most abundant phyllosilicates. According to the whole-rock mineralogy and additional statistical procedures (correlation, cluster analysis), the main source of quartz is the erosion of Donana spit, while the Guadalquivir river, its tributaries and the old lagoon have contributed mainly with smectite-rich phyllosilicates. On the contrary, waves, tides and high-energy events introduced illite and bioclasts in an old lagoon from the nearby shallow marine sectors. Consequently, the mineralogical analysis is revealed as an interesting tool for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction in this area, since it varies between different sedimentary environments. In addition, the combined study of whole-rock and clay mineralogy detects the tsunami layers and the provenance of their sediments in the studied cores.

This paper presents pollen analyses and radiocarbon dating on Crocuta coprolites from Las Ventanas (LV) and Carihuela (Car) Caves in southern Spain (Granada), with the aim of reconstructing the environmental conditions of these hominin sites. The LV coprolites are radiocarbon dated from c. 37,890 to 6980 cal yr BP, and the Car coprolites from c. 31,063 to 7861 cal yr BP. Overall, the palaeoecological scenario inferred from both coprolite series display similar patterns, with Pinus, Poaceae, and Artemisia as dominant during the full Pleistocene, and an important contribution of Quercus in the most recently dated coprolite samples. While the palynology is consistent with results of former investigations on the past environments in the region as obtained from other deposits (peat bogs, cave infills), the Late Glacial and Holocene chronology of several coprolites in both sites is in conflict with the generally accepted timing of extinction of Crocuta in western Europe. A discussion on the taphonomical processes and potential sources of carbon contamination of the radiocarbon samples is provided. The correlation between pollen from coprolites and from sedimentary records, and the paucity of the fossil bone record suggests nevertheless, that a late survival of Crocuta in southern Spain should not be categorically discarded.