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[EN] The Aïn Beni Mathar – Guefaït (ABM-GFT) region in Eastern Morocco is the object of an archaeological, palaeontological, geological and geochronological research project, led by an international team since 2006. The research in this former fluvio-lacustrine basin, roughly 2000 km2, has revealed a significant number of Pleistocene and Holocene sites. Here we introduce the research project, that we conduct in the region, the main issues it aims to address, and the results already obtained., [FR] Depuis 2006, la région de Aïn Beni Mathar – Guefaït (ABM-GFT) au Maroc Oriental, fait l’objet d’un projet de recherche en archéologie, paléontologie, géologie et géochronologie, mené par une équipe internationale. Ces recherches ont permis la découverte d’un nombre significatif de gisements d’âge Pléistocène et Holocène, dans un ancien bassin fluvio-lacustre, qui s’étend sur une surface de 2000 km2. Notre objectif ici est de présenter le projet de recherche, que nous entamons dans la région, la problématique qu’il traite et les premiers résultats déjà obtenus.

Ambrona is located in a karst landscape, and occupies a key geographic position, a transit area with natural routes connecting the three main drainage basins in the interior of the Iberian Peninsula. The site dates from the middle of MIS 11 and consists of fluvial-lacustrine deposits. Investigation of Ambrona, traditionally linked to that of Torralba (both sites are in the province of Soria, in Spain), has played a significant role in increasing our knowledge of the Acheulean in Europe, especially in the debate on hunting versus scavenging. Over the course of a century, more than 3400 m2 have been excavated at Ambrona by four teams, led respectively by the Marquis of Cerralbo (1914e1916), C. Howell (1961e1963), C. Howell and L.G. Freeman (1980e1983), and M. Santonja and A. Pérez-González (1993e2000). In this paper we present, in their stratigraphic context, the results of our technological analysis of complete lithic series found during the excavations of the Lower Stratigraphic Member at Ambrona carried out from 1993 to 2000. During this period we excavated 685 m2. Only in Level AS3 was a large part of the lithic industry found in primary position, whereas the assemblages in the other levels had been greatly influenced by sedimentary processes. The whole lithic assemblage comprises 728 items. We shall analyze the chaînes opératoires evidenced in each of the five identified levels, according to the raw materials used. Tools made on flake include very specialized types, but retouching is usually not intense; tool-maintenance processes are barely documented. The knapping methods used were mainly discoidal, bifacial and multipolar. Except for a few local limestone items, the knapped stones found at Ambrona (quartz, quartzite and limestone) were brought to the site, sometimes from dozens of kilometers away. The study of this collection confirms its attribution to the Acheulean techno-complex, with its characteristic handaxes and cleavers., Depto. de Prehistoria, Historia Antigua y Arqueología, Fac. de Geografía e Historia, TRUE, pub

El estudio geológico de la zona de Peñacerrada (Alava) pone de manifiesto la existencia de diversas silicificaciones en el Dogger (Jurásico) y en el Thanetiense (Paleoceno). Se han levantado columnas estratigráficas en tres localidades: Montoria, Arroyo de Santiama (Peñacerrada) y Loza, habiéndose realizado una recogida de muestras sistemáticas tanto de la "roca caja" como de las silicificaciones, para poder establecer las posibles relaciones existentes entre las mismas. La fuente de la sílice probablemente sea biogénica debido a la presencia de espículas de esponjas. El ambiente de depósito de los sedimentos carbonatados del Dogger se debió producir en una plataforma de mar abierto (nerítica), mientras que los del Thanetiense lo hicieron en un "lagoon" de circulación restringuida. En este último ambiente los vaivenes de la línea de costa crearon secuencias de somerización hacia arriba "shallowing upward" donde la mezcla de aguas continentales y marinas jugaron un papel importante tanto para la formación de las silicificaciones como para la dolomitización observada en la localidad de Loza. Se han diferenciado cuatro tipos generales de silicificaciones: cuarzos autigénicos, silicificaciones en nódulos, silicificaciones irregulares y silicificaciones en bancos lenticulares. El estudio de la Cristalografía-Mineralogía de los sílex de las tres localidades confirma en líneas generales la dependencia existente entre los valores de cristalinidad (I.C.G.) en el sentido de que a mayor volumen de celda le corresponde una disminución de la cristalinidad. Esto se observa siempre que los datos obtenidos se comparen con valores de otros sílex de la Cuenca, ya que la misma naturaleza de los sílex aquí estudiados (microcuarzo) hace que las diferencias en cuanto al volumen de Celda e I.C.G. de los mismos no sean muy significativas, The geological study of the Peñacerrada (Alava) area shows the existence of different types of silicification in the Dogger (Jurassic) Age and in the Thanetian (Paleocene) Age. We have drawn stratigraphic sections in three places: Montoria, Arroyo de Santiama (Peñacerrada) and Loza, with relations between them. The silica soruce may be biogenci, because a big number of siliceous sponge spicules included in the nodular chert ara appreciated. The Dogger carbonate sediments were deposited in an open platform (neritic) while the Thanetian sediments were in a lagoon environment. The movements of the shoreface generated sequences of "shallowing upward" where the mixing continental and marine waters played an important role for silicification and dolomitization processes observed in Loza. We have differentiated foru types of general silicification: Äutigenic quartzs, nodular chert, irregular silidifications and lenticular chert bands. The Crystallographic and Mineralogic study of the cherts show the general relation between the Crystalinity index values of the cherts and the limestone or dolomitic replacement. The values obtained for the crystallinity and unit cell volume allows us to corfirm the inverse relation existing between them

We present the first rock magnetic study of archeologically-relevant chert samples from the Basque-Cantabrian basin (BCB) and surrounding regions, which was conducted in order to test the usefulness of non-destructive magnetic properties for assessing chert quality, distinguishing source areas, and identifying heated samples in the archeological record. Our results indicate that the studied BCB cherts are diamagnetic and have very low amounts of magnetic minerals. The only exception is the chert of Artxilondo, which has a median positive magnetic susceptibility associated with larger concentrations of magnetic minerals. But even in this case, the magnetic susceptibility is within the lower range of other archeologically-relevant cherts elsewhere, which indicates that the studied BCB cherts can be considered as flint. The similar median values for all magnetic properties, along with their associated large interquartile ranges, indicates that rock magnetic methods are of limited use for sourcing different types of flint except in some specific contexts involving the Artxilondo flint. With regards to the identification of chert heating in the archeological record, our results indicate only a minor magnetic enhancement of BCB natural flint samples upon heating, which we attribute to the low amount of non-silica impurities. In any case, the diamagnetic behavior of most BCB natural flints, along with the local use only of the Artxilondo type, suggests that any flint tool within the core of the BCB with positive magnetic susceptibility values is likely to have been subjected to heating for improving its knapping properties. Further studies are necessary to better identify the type, origin and grain size of magnetic minerals in BCB natural flints, and to apply non-destructive magnetic properties to flint tools in order to identify the use of heat treatment in the BCB archeological record.

We present the first rock magnetic study of archeologically-relevant chert samples from the Basque-Cantabrian basin (BCB) and surrounding regions, which was conducted in order to test the usefulness of non-destructive magnetic properties for assessing chert quality, distinguishing source areas, and identifying heated samples in the archeological record. Our results indicate that the studied BCB cherts are diamagnetic and have very low amounts of magnetic minerals. The only exception is the chert of Artxilondo, which has a median positive magnetic susceptibility associated with larger concentrations of magnetic minerals. But even in this case, the magnetic susceptibility is within the lower range of other archeologically-relevant cherts elsewhere, which indicates that the studied BCB cherts can be considered as flint. The similar median values for all magnetic properties, along with their associated large interquartile ranges, indicates that rock magnetic methods are of limited use for sourcing different types of flint except in some specific contexts involving the Artxilondo flint. With regards to the identification of chert heating in the archeological record, our results indicate only a minor magnetic enhancement of BCB natural flint samples upon heating, which we attribute to the low amount of non-silica impurities. In any case, the diamagnetic behavior of most BCB natural flints, along with the local use only of the Artxilondo type, suggests that any flint tool within the core of the BCB with positive magnetic susceptibility values is likely to have been subjected to heating for improving its knapping properties. Further studies are necessary to better identify the type, origin and grain size of magnetic minerals in BCB natural flints, and to apply non-destructive magnetic properties to flint tools in order to identify the use of heat treatment in the BCB archeological record.

El presente trabajo constituye una aportación más al estudio global de la tecnología cerámica en la Protohistoria de Euskal Herria. En él se recogen los resultados obtenidos de la aplicación de técnicas petrográfico-mineralógicas y geoquímicas en cerámicas de la Protohistoria de Navarra. Se han reconocido cerámicas de varios yacimientos arqueológicos, diferenciando tres etapas Prehistóricas: Bronce Medio-tardío,Bronce Final y I Edad del Hierro, cada una de ellas con unas características propias tanto en las tecnologías de fabricación como en la naturaleza de las materias prima elegidas en la confección de las masas cerámicas., Aurkezturiko lan hau, Euskal Herriko Protohistoriaren keramika-teknologiaren ikasketari beste ekarpena da. Bertan, Nafar Prohistoriaren keramiketan eginiko petrografia-mineralogia eta geokimika tekniken aplikaziotik eratorriko emaitzak jaso ditugu. Arkeologi aztarnategi ezberdinen keramikak ikustatu eta Historiaurreko hiru etapa desberdindu dira: Brontze Ertaina berantiarra, Brontze Amaiera eta Burdinaro Lehenengoa. Garai bakoitzak berezko ezaugarriak ditu, bai fabrikatze-tekniketarako bai Keramikagintzarako aukeratutako lehengaien izaerarako., Ce travail constitue une apport a l'étude globale de la technologie du fabrication des céramiques à la protohistoire du Pais Basque. Ici on montre les résultats au travers de l'aplication des techniques minéralogiques, pétrographiques et géochimiques sur céramiques protohistoriques de Navarre. Les céramiques des divers gisements archéologiques étudiés permettent différencier trois périodes préhistoriques: Bronze Moyen-Tardif, Bronze Final et IèreAge du Fer. Chaque étape est caractérisé par présenter pâttes céramiques de nature différente aussi que des technologies de élaboration particulières., This is another contribution to the global study of the ceramic technology in Basque Protohistory. In this work,we takes the conclusions obtained by the application of petrology-mineralogy and geochemistry techniques on Navarra Protohistory ceramics. It have been recognized ceramics of some archeological beds and differentiated three prehistoric stages: Middle-Late Bronze, Final Bronze and the Ist Iron Age, each stage has its own characteristics, as well as the manufacture technology as the raw material nature chosen to make ceramics.

En el presente trabajo se presentan los resultados del estudio petrográfico realizado a partir de 45 fragmentos de cerámicas representativas de diferentes poblados de la Edad del Hierro, situados en Guipúzcoa; así como algunos resultados significativos del estudio de petrográfico de ladrillos realizados a partir de muestras geológicas recogidas en las proximidades de los poblados. Las conclusiones más significativas de este estudio es la cuidada selección de las arcillas, preferentemente Triásicas cuando existe afloramiento en las proximidades,y una tecnología similar mediante adicción de calcitas trituradas a las arcillas., Lan honetan, Guipuzkoako Burdin Aroko 45 zeramiken analisi petrografikoak eta 12 buztindegien analisiak aurkezten ditugu. Burdin Aroko aztarnategiekin zuten hurbiltasunagatik eta bere ezaugarri petrografikoengatik aukeratu ditugu. Behin-behineko konklusio gisa, dudarik gabe buztina ondo aukeratzen zutela esan dezakegu, Triasikoko fazies Keuper deituriko buztinak ahal zutenean. Gainera hiriska guztien zeramika-teknologia antzekoa zen, buztin hauei kaltzitazko harri txikituak nahasiaz eratzen zena., Dans ce travail on présente les résultats des analyses pétrographiques de 45 pièces céramiques de Age du Fer et différents gisements de l'argile de Guipúzcoa. Les gisements de l'argile ont été sélectionnes par sa proximité aux sites archéologiques et par ses caractéristiques pétrographiques. Comment conclusion provisionnelle, nous pouvons dire qu'il y a une soigneuse sélection du matériel en utilisant des argiles du Faciès Keuper, quand elles sont a l'aise. On a connu aussi que la technologie céramique des sites étudiés était semblable, par la mixture de la calcite triturée à l'argile pour modeler les vases analyses., On this work we present the main results of petrographic study of 45 pottery pieces and several outcrops of clay-mud materials near of archaeological sites from Guipuzkoa. The main conclusions of this study are: (i) The raw materials are be carefully selected, where mud from facies Keuper of Triassic period are mainly chosen as raw materials, coming from proximal areas of archaeological sites. (ii) The manufacture technology is similar for most of sites including a mixture of grind-calcite and mud as raw materials in pottery making.

El presente trabajo representa una aportación más al estudio global de la tecnología cerámica en la Protohistoria del País Vasco, recogiéndose en él los resultados obtenidos de la aplicación de técnicas petrográficas en cerámicas de la Protohistoria de Álava. Se han estudiado cerámicas de tres yacimientos arqueológicos representativos, Castillo de Henayo, Peñas de Oro y La Hoya, emitiéndose diversas observaciones en cuanto a las tecnologías de fabricación así como en cuanto a la naturaleza de las materias prima elegidas en la confección de las cerámicas., Aurkezturiko lan hau, Euskal Herriko Protohistoriaren keramika-teknologiaren ikasketari beste ekarpen bat da. Bertan, Arabar Protohistoriaren keramiketan eginiko petrografia tekniken aplikaziotik eratorriko emaitzak jasotzen dira. Hiru arkeologi aztarnategi ezberdinen keramikak aztertu dira: Castillo de Henayo, Peñas de Oro eta La Hoya. Keramika bakoitzen berezitasunak, bai fabrikatze tekniketan, bai keramikagintzan, adierazten dira., Cet travail constitue une apport a l'étude globale de la technologie du fabrication des céramiques à la Protohistoire du Pais Basque. Ici on montre les résultats au travers de l'aplication des techniques pétrographiques sur céramiques protohistoriques d'Alava. On a etudié des céramiques de trois gisements répresentatifs: Castillo de Henayo, Peñas de Oro et La Hoya, avec caractéristiques technologiques aussi que pâttes céramiques des natures particulières., This is another contribution to the global study of the ceramic technologyin the Basque Country Protohistory. In this work we takes the conclusions obtained by the aplication of petrology techniques on Alava Protohistory ceramics. It have been reognized ceramics of Castillo de Henayo, Peñas de Oro and La Hoya, each archeologic bed has its own characteristics, as well the manufacture technology as the raw material nature chosen to make ceramics.