- Email: [email protected]
Hunting Camps and Nucleiform end-scrapers in Cantabrian Lower Magdalenian. An analysis based on traceology
508
Abstracts / Quaternary International 279-280 (2012) 462–565
of the project are: How did the different ancient cultures manage the water resources? And how sustainable was the agricultural land use? To answer these questions, we selected (1) the (mostly) perennial Lake Stymfalia, and (2) the Prokopos Lagoon on the northern end of the Elian coast for high resolution comparative analyses. Several piston cores were recovered at both sites. Here we present the first results of multi-proxy analyses based on sedimentological, geochemical and geophysical methods. High-resolution AMS 14C dating and Bayesian age-depthmodeling is used to establish detailed time series of the climate variables. A first 15.54 m long sediment core of mainly clayey sediments was retrieved in 2010 near the ancient settlement of Stymphalos. The lowermost 14C sample (15.02 m) yields an age of 41.8-37.1 ka cal BP. A 14C sample from a black debris layer at 1.50 m depth, which we preliminarily refer to as tephra, was dated to 1608-1570 cal BC. In contrast, a transect of 3 sediment cores up to 4 in meters length serves as a basis for the environmental reconstruction of the Prokopos Lagoon. The sediments show a predominance of dark sands which is overlain by clay gyttja. Additional information about environmental changes are derived from the archeological record of the nearby Mycenaean fortress Teichos Dymaion.
MD96 2098 (25o36’S, 12o38’E), retrieved from the Lüderitz slope off the coast of Namibia. Preservation of pollen and other terrestrial microfossils is facilitated at this site by the Benguela upwelling systems and the proximity to the Orange river. We use XRF, benthic and planktonic d18O, foraminiferderived Sea Surface Temperatures (SST) and pollen analyses to reconstruct the terrestrial vegetation and climatic history of the southwestern part of Africa and offshore during the last 180 kyr. Age control is based on radiocarbon dates and d18O isotope events. Previous results on a core located further north of MD96-2098, off the coast of Angola, show that climate-driven vegetation dynamics in southwestern Africa during the Younger Dryas were decoupled from SST variations as the result of the strengthening of the upwelling. Our results shed light on the relationships between atmospheric and oceanic (Benguela upwelling and Agulhas leakage) mechanisms and vegetation variations further south during the abrupt climate changes that punctuated MIS 6 and 3.
PLEISTOCENE ICE EXTENT IN THE UPPER YBBS VALLEY IN LOWER AUSTRIA
E-mail address: [email protected]
Thomas Untersweg. Geologische Bundesanstalt, Austria E-mail address: [email protected]
Ice extent of Early Pleistocene glacial stages in the Ybbs valley remains unknown in detail. During the Mindel glacial the altitude of the valley floor was significantly higher than today. During the Riß glacial, the upper part of the Ybbs valley was part of the alpine glacier flow network with the snow line at 1000 m asl. During the Würm glacial only short glaciers could develop locally. According to current concepts, the Ybbs glacier filled the valley down to St. Georgen am Reith during the main Riß stage. Sediments at Hochau were interpreted as Hochterrasse close to the ice margin. During a late Riß stage, a renewed glacier advance reached only the area south of Göstling. Here, glacial till has been mapped but still no final extent of the glacier could be proven. New data are now leading to an advanced concept of the valley's history. Occurrences of gravel beds, previously classified as terrace sediments, new findings of glacial till and outcrops of glacially deformed varved clay underlying glacial till east of the village Hollenstein, all provide evidence for a new hypothesis of valley evolution during the Riß glacial. In addition, calcite crystals in deltaic gravel deposits could be shown as representing several generations of cementation dating from 56,000 to 115,000 2000 years BP. Calcite cements of two further samples at Hochau (gravel pit Tonibauer) were dated to 56,800 and 79,700 2000 years BP respectively. The new working hypothesis postulates that (1) maximum glacier extent during the Riß stage reached at least 8 km further westwards than previously assumed, (2) gravel beds above the level of Niederterrasse (Würm stage) situated between Göstling and Hollenstein represent melt water deposits at the margin of a glacier disintegrating into individual dead ice bodies and (3) age dates indicate pre-Würmian deposition and cementation during the Riß/Würm intergacial or during the early Würm stage. ABRUPT VEGETATION CHANGES DURING MIS 6 AND 3 IN SOUTH AFRICA Dunia H. Urrego. EPHE, UMR-CNRS 5805 EPOC - UMR-CNRS 5199 PACEA, France
DIFFERENTIAL MANGROVE RESPONSE TO SEA-LEVEL RISE AND ANTHROPOGENIC PRESSURE DURING THE LAST 400 YEARS IN THE COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN Ligia Estela Urrego. Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Colombia We compare palynological reconstructions from five different mangrove sites along the Colombian Caribbean that comprise the last 400 years of vegetation and environmental change. The response of Caribbean coastal vegetation to late Holocene climates was not homogeneous. However, all sites presented increments of mangrove pollen percentages during the last 150 years, as the response to increased riverine runoff and global sea-level rise. However, differences in geomorphologic dynamics and human disturbance regimes resulted in different mangrove species composition and pollen concentration values. These differences emphasize that mangrove pollen records should be interpreted in light of the interrelated balance among geomorphologic, climatic and anthropogenic factors. THE EBRO BASIN MAGDALENIAN
(NE
SPAIN):
A
CROSSROADS
DURING
THE
Pilar Utrilla. University of Zaragoza, Spain E-mail address: [email protected]
This synthesis shows the transformation of a traditional “research desert" (The Ebro Basin) into an occupied area with more than 30 sites from the Lower to the Upper Magdalenian. The recent excavations in the majority of these sites have furnished 116 absolute dates allow us to sketch an preliminary overview detailing the development of the human population on the south site of the Pyrenees and its relationship to the North side and the Cantabrian Magdalenian. In the case of Archaic Magdalenian (also called Badegoulian) of Cueva del Gato there is a speculation of its relationship with the Levantine cave of Parpallo, based on the greater antiquity of their dates in relation to those obtained along the Cantabrian coast. The cave of Abauntz, excavated in the totality of his surface throughout ten years, has delivered in the Late Magdalenian level (11700BP) an engraved block, which has been interpreted as a sketch or a map of the area around the cave. In the Middle Magdalenian level (13.500 BP) we propose a reconstruction of space-use based on the study of structures and a factor analysis of the lithic and osseous industrial remains. We state therefore the hypothesis of the presence of different activity zones in the cave: hide working, flintknapping, rest areas, scraping of skins.
E-mail address: [email protected]
While our understanding of millennial-scale variability and the effects of rapid climate change on the vegetation has grown during the past decades, empirical data from some climatically important periods are still lacking. Scarce data exist for instance for deep-time glacial-interglacial cycles that could provide suitable analogs for current climate-change science. Recent global-scale reconstructions of vegetation responses to rapid events during the last glacial cycle have been useful, however, these global compilations clearly show that some regions, namely the tropics and the southern hemisphere, remain understudied. Here we present preliminary results from one of the few available continental-scale vegetation records from the southern oceans. We conduct multiproxy analyses of marine core
HUNTING CAMPS AND NUCLEIFORM END-SCRAPERS IN CANTABRIAN LOWER MAGDALENIAN. AN ANALYSIS BASED ON TRACEOLOGY Pilar Utrilla. University of Zaragoza, Spain E-mail address: [email protected]
Throughout the classic Cantabrian Lower Magdalenian, according to a summary statistic of 30 deposits, core-shaped scrapers predominate in percentages above 50% and appear related to square-section sagaies and summer camps specialized in hunting (classic Lower Magdalenian, type Juyo) (Utrilla, 1994). The data given by the functional analysis from the level 4 of Rascaño cave, conducted by C. Mazo, show the use of a large
Abstracts / Quaternary International 279-280 (2012) 462–565
percentage of small nucleiform end-scrapers (or bladelets cores) compared with what has been recorded at level 5 (archaic Initial Magdalenian), moment in which they were never used. This lack of use-wear is also found at levels of post-Final Upper Magdalenian (series 2). The micropolish on the cores of the Lower Magdalenian (level 4) show that they were used for working bone and wood, but not skin, in a scraping activity. This would confirm their functionality, at least at this level and beyond, as a real scraper and not as pyramidal bladelets cores, reserving this attribution for other levels of different Magdalenian moments. We suggest, as a working hypothesis, that some nucleiform end-scrapers from the classic Lower Magdalenian (facies Juyo) have been used as a tool to repair or shape sagaies. This would justify their presence in a majority of hunting specialized sites together with the statistical association with scrapers and square-section sagaies. In this case, small scrapers, made from depleted cores, would not be the products of cutting blades, but the real tools that would be sought in the kit worn by hunters. THE ARCHAIC MAGDALENIAN OF GATO CAVE (17700BP) Pilar Utrilla. University of Zaragoza, Spain E-mail address: [email protected]
This article presents the preliminary results of the three seasons of excavation carried out between 2002 and 2008 in the Gato Cave (Épila, Zaragoza). Their level II has been dated by C14 between 17700 70 and 18090 90 BP and delivered an antler point (sagaie) typical of classic Magdalenian Archaic, type Placard, among other pieces of decorated bone industry. The lithic industry, without raclettes, as in Rascaño 5, being compatible with a typical industry Magdalenian 0, given the rough looking to present their burins and endscrapers and the presence of denticulate pieces. This agrees well with the old date, a thousand years older than other sites with points type Placard as Rascaño 5 (16430BP) or Castillo 8 bottom (16 850 BP). WOOD-RESOURCES EXPLOITATION DEVELOPED BY CANTABRIAN HUNTER-GATHERERS (NORTHERN SPAIN) RELATED TO MIS 2 ENVIRONMENTAL DYNAMICS Paloma Uzquiano. Universida Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Spain E-mail address: [email protected]
A series of anthracological analyses from prehistoric caves of northern Spain are presented. They correspond chronostratigraphically to LGM (upper Solutrean sites ca. 19-18.3 uncal Kyr BP), H-1 (lower Magdalenian sites ca. >15-14 uncal. Kyr BP) and Tardiglacial Interstadial-Younger Dryas (Late Magdalenian-Azilian sites ca. <13-10 uncal. Kyr BP). Main aim is the reconstruction of the vegetal landscape, with especial reference to the wood resource availability in each site considered, related to MIS 2 environmental fluctuations. The changing environments derived from these climatic fluctuations have also influenced the occupation of sites and the exploitation of the territory around by cantabrian prehistoric groups. Open environments with Juniperus, Fabaceae (Ulex, Cytisus) and Salix dominants, together with Hippophae rhamnoides and some slight occurences of Betula, deciduous Quercus, Castanea, and Corylus are the main vegetation cover recorded around the LGM and H-1 sites. The floristic impoverishment obtained is related to short seasonal occupations. The pioneer character of the vegetation is still dominant in the Tardiglacial interstadial sites where Betula experiences a sharp increase accompanied of a greater floristic diversity (mesothermophilous and shrubs). The more favourable climatic conditions are responsible of longer and multiseasonal occupations. Younger Dryas is responsible of the abandoning of the littoral areas towards more sheltered territories. The way in which these taxa have been recorded depends on the geographical position of sites (coastal plain, prelittoral mountains, inner valleys), the nature of dominant substrate (calcareous, siliceous), site-function and economic practises according to the seasonality of main animal resources exploited. MORPHOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF LATE QUATERNARY CO-SEISMIC VERTICAL DISPLACEMENTS AND CATASTROPHIC WAVE IMPACT IN LESVOS ISLAND (NE AEGEAN SEA) Matteo Vacchi. Università degli Studi di Genova, Italy E-mail address: [email protected]
509
Due to its tectonic setting, the Aegean Sea region is particularly susceptible to earthquakes and related tsunamis. In this study presents the results of geomorphic mapping carried out in Lesvos Island, located in a tectonically active area controlled by the parallel activity of both strike slip and normal faults. Its coastal sector shows several traces of such activity like evidence of co-seismic vertical displacements as well as catastrophic waves impact. Numerous markers of uplifted shorelines (shore platforms, marine terraces, notches and beachrocks) located in the southern coast of the Island were identified. Detailed analysis on morphologies and distribution of these markers, coupled with radiometric dating, allowed to identify a Late Quaternary regional uplift trend controlled by the footwall of a large normal fault located between Lesvos and Chios Islands. At local scale, superimposed to this trend, the area is characterized by many indicators of rapid vertical displacements (uplift and downlift) related to the high seismicity. The most important co-seismic event has been found to have happened about 4000 years BP, causing the uplifting of a 5 km shore platform at about + 1,3 m above the present sea level. A parallel study was carried out to identify the process originating a large accumulation of boulders (weighing up to w12.5 t) in the area of Plomari; measurements of size and weight, distance and elevation respect the shoreline were carried out for each boulder; orientation of their elongated a-axis was studied identifying the geographical origin of the waves. An hydrodynamic approach was applied to understand if boulders displacement was compatible with local storm wave regime or if they were dislocated by a tsunami event. A tsunami origin was attributed. Historical data and radiometric dating of fossil material found on the boulders suggested as probable triggering source the destructive 1949’s Chios-Karaburum earthquake. ASSESSING THE LATE QUATERNARY COASTAL UPLIFT OF LESVOS ISLAND USING BEACHROCKS DISTRIBUTION AND MORPHOLOGY Matteo Vacchi. Università degli Studi di Genova, Italy E-mail address: [email protected]
Detailed mapping of paleo-sea level markers has been often used as a tool to quantify coastal uplift and relative sea level changes in several areas of the Mediterranean Sea. In this regard, beachrocks may be of great interest even though their use as sea level indicators has recently been debated. In this study we considered beachrocks as markers of past relative sea level mainly because of their strict altimetric correlation with other sea level markers such as marine terraces or tidal notches. In fact, the combined analysis of erosive and depositional paleo-shoreline indicators is of timely importance because although marine erosional forms are more precise indicators of sea level in coastal settings, they rarely preserve dateable materials, which are more frequent in depositional landforms. This study was carried out in Lesvos Island (NE Aegean Sea) where several beachrocks were mapped along the 300 km-long coastline. They are commonly characterized by multiple generations, and occur in different areas from about – 3 m below mean sea level to + 12 m above mean sea level. 15 beachrocks were mapped and sampled. Petrographic analyses were performed to identify the nature of the constituents as well as the morphology of cements and their microstratigraphy. The first results, based on radiometric dating of beachrock cements and shells, provided evidence of a differential coastal tectonic uplift of Lesvos during Late Quaternary. The southeastern part of the island shows evidence of very rapid coastal uplift, often linked with co-seismic vertical displacement. By contrast, such movements are not evident in the central gulf of Kalloni and in the northern part of the Island, suggesting a different tectonic control in these coastal sectors. Further dating, which is being currently carried out, will help better quantify the uplift rates and correlate the identified past sea levels with archeological remains, such as harbours and breakwaters of the classical Hellenic age. PALEOWATERS IN CAMBRIAN-VENDIAN (EDIACARAN) AQUIFER OF BALTIC BASIN - ISOTOPIC AND GEOCHEMICAL EVOLUTION SINCE LATE PLEISTOCENE Rein Vaikmäe. Tallinn University of Technology/Institute of Geol, Estonia E-mail address: [email protected]
Changes in the climatic conditions during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene greatly impacted the hydrology and geochemical evolution of
Abstracts / Quaternary International 279-280 (2012) 462–565
of the project are: How did the different ancient cultures manage the water resources? And how sustainable was the agricultural land use? To answer these questions, we selected (1) the (mostly) perennial Lake Stymfalia, and (2) the Prokopos Lagoon on the northern end of the Elian coast for high resolution comparative analyses. Several piston cores were recovered at both sites. Here we present the first results of multi-proxy analyses based on sedimentological, geochemical and geophysical methods. High-resolution AMS 14C dating and Bayesian age-depthmodeling is used to establish detailed time series of the climate variables. A first 15.54 m long sediment core of mainly clayey sediments was retrieved in 2010 near the ancient settlement of Stymphalos. The lowermost 14C sample (15.02 m) yields an age of 41.8-37.1 ka cal BP. A 14C sample from a black debris layer at 1.50 m depth, which we preliminarily refer to as tephra, was dated to 1608-1570 cal BC. In contrast, a transect of 3 sediment cores up to 4 in meters length serves as a basis for the environmental reconstruction of the Prokopos Lagoon. The sediments show a predominance of dark sands which is overlain by clay gyttja. Additional information about environmental changes are derived from the archeological record of the nearby Mycenaean fortress Teichos Dymaion.
MD96 2098 (25o36’S, 12o38’E), retrieved from the Lüderitz slope off the coast of Namibia. Preservation of pollen and other terrestrial microfossils is facilitated at this site by the Benguela upwelling systems and the proximity to the Orange river. We use XRF, benthic and planktonic d18O, foraminiferderived Sea Surface Temperatures (SST) and pollen analyses to reconstruct the terrestrial vegetation and climatic history of the southwestern part of Africa and offshore during the last 180 kyr. Age control is based on radiocarbon dates and d18O isotope events. Previous results on a core located further north of MD96-2098, off the coast of Angola, show that climate-driven vegetation dynamics in southwestern Africa during the Younger Dryas were decoupled from SST variations as the result of the strengthening of the upwelling. Our results shed light on the relationships between atmospheric and oceanic (Benguela upwelling and Agulhas leakage) mechanisms and vegetation variations further south during the abrupt climate changes that punctuated MIS 6 and 3.
PLEISTOCENE ICE EXTENT IN THE UPPER YBBS VALLEY IN LOWER AUSTRIA
E-mail address: [email protected]
Thomas Untersweg. Geologische Bundesanstalt, Austria E-mail address: [email protected]
Ice extent of Early Pleistocene glacial stages in the Ybbs valley remains unknown in detail. During the Mindel glacial the altitude of the valley floor was significantly higher than today. During the Riß glacial, the upper part of the Ybbs valley was part of the alpine glacier flow network with the snow line at 1000 m asl. During the Würm glacial only short glaciers could develop locally. According to current concepts, the Ybbs glacier filled the valley down to St. Georgen am Reith during the main Riß stage. Sediments at Hochau were interpreted as Hochterrasse close to the ice margin. During a late Riß stage, a renewed glacier advance reached only the area south of Göstling. Here, glacial till has been mapped but still no final extent of the glacier could be proven. New data are now leading to an advanced concept of the valley's history. Occurrences of gravel beds, previously classified as terrace sediments, new findings of glacial till and outcrops of glacially deformed varved clay underlying glacial till east of the village Hollenstein, all provide evidence for a new hypothesis of valley evolution during the Riß glacial. In addition, calcite crystals in deltaic gravel deposits could be shown as representing several generations of cementation dating from 56,000 to 115,000 2000 years BP. Calcite cements of two further samples at Hochau (gravel pit Tonibauer) were dated to 56,800 and 79,700 2000 years BP respectively. The new working hypothesis postulates that (1) maximum glacier extent during the Riß stage reached at least 8 km further westwards than previously assumed, (2) gravel beds above the level of Niederterrasse (Würm stage) situated between Göstling and Hollenstein represent melt water deposits at the margin of a glacier disintegrating into individual dead ice bodies and (3) age dates indicate pre-Würmian deposition and cementation during the Riß/Würm intergacial or during the early Würm stage. ABRUPT VEGETATION CHANGES DURING MIS 6 AND 3 IN SOUTH AFRICA Dunia H. Urrego. EPHE, UMR-CNRS 5805 EPOC - UMR-CNRS 5199 PACEA, France
DIFFERENTIAL MANGROVE RESPONSE TO SEA-LEVEL RISE AND ANTHROPOGENIC PRESSURE DURING THE LAST 400 YEARS IN THE COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN Ligia Estela Urrego. Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Colombia We compare palynological reconstructions from five different mangrove sites along the Colombian Caribbean that comprise the last 400 years of vegetation and environmental change. The response of Caribbean coastal vegetation to late Holocene climates was not homogeneous. However, all sites presented increments of mangrove pollen percentages during the last 150 years, as the response to increased riverine runoff and global sea-level rise. However, differences in geomorphologic dynamics and human disturbance regimes resulted in different mangrove species composition and pollen concentration values. These differences emphasize that mangrove pollen records should be interpreted in light of the interrelated balance among geomorphologic, climatic and anthropogenic factors. THE EBRO BASIN MAGDALENIAN
(NE
SPAIN):
A
CROSSROADS
DURING
THE
Pilar Utrilla. University of Zaragoza, Spain E-mail address: [email protected]
This synthesis shows the transformation of a traditional “research desert" (The Ebro Basin) into an occupied area with more than 30 sites from the Lower to the Upper Magdalenian. The recent excavations in the majority of these sites have furnished 116 absolute dates allow us to sketch an preliminary overview detailing the development of the human population on the south site of the Pyrenees and its relationship to the North side and the Cantabrian Magdalenian. In the case of Archaic Magdalenian (also called Badegoulian) of Cueva del Gato there is a speculation of its relationship with the Levantine cave of Parpallo, based on the greater antiquity of their dates in relation to those obtained along the Cantabrian coast. The cave of Abauntz, excavated in the totality of his surface throughout ten years, has delivered in the Late Magdalenian level (11700BP) an engraved block, which has been interpreted as a sketch or a map of the area around the cave. In the Middle Magdalenian level (13.500 BP) we propose a reconstruction of space-use based on the study of structures and a factor analysis of the lithic and osseous industrial remains. We state therefore the hypothesis of the presence of different activity zones in the cave: hide working, flintknapping, rest areas, scraping of skins.
E-mail address: [email protected]
While our understanding of millennial-scale variability and the effects of rapid climate change on the vegetation has grown during the past decades, empirical data from some climatically important periods are still lacking. Scarce data exist for instance for deep-time glacial-interglacial cycles that could provide suitable analogs for current climate-change science. Recent global-scale reconstructions of vegetation responses to rapid events during the last glacial cycle have been useful, however, these global compilations clearly show that some regions, namely the tropics and the southern hemisphere, remain understudied. Here we present preliminary results from one of the few available continental-scale vegetation records from the southern oceans. We conduct multiproxy analyses of marine core
HUNTING CAMPS AND NUCLEIFORM END-SCRAPERS IN CANTABRIAN LOWER MAGDALENIAN. AN ANALYSIS BASED ON TRACEOLOGY Pilar Utrilla. University of Zaragoza, Spain E-mail address: [email protected]
Throughout the classic Cantabrian Lower Magdalenian, according to a summary statistic of 30 deposits, core-shaped scrapers predominate in percentages above 50% and appear related to square-section sagaies and summer camps specialized in hunting (classic Lower Magdalenian, type Juyo) (Utrilla, 1994). The data given by the functional analysis from the level 4 of Rascaño cave, conducted by C. Mazo, show the use of a large
Abstracts / Quaternary International 279-280 (2012) 462–565
percentage of small nucleiform end-scrapers (or bladelets cores) compared with what has been recorded at level 5 (archaic Initial Magdalenian), moment in which they were never used. This lack of use-wear is also found at levels of post-Final Upper Magdalenian (series 2). The micropolish on the cores of the Lower Magdalenian (level 4) show that they were used for working bone and wood, but not skin, in a scraping activity. This would confirm their functionality, at least at this level and beyond, as a real scraper and not as pyramidal bladelets cores, reserving this attribution for other levels of different Magdalenian moments. We suggest, as a working hypothesis, that some nucleiform end-scrapers from the classic Lower Magdalenian (facies Juyo) have been used as a tool to repair or shape sagaies. This would justify their presence in a majority of hunting specialized sites together with the statistical association with scrapers and square-section sagaies. In this case, small scrapers, made from depleted cores, would not be the products of cutting blades, but the real tools that would be sought in the kit worn by hunters. THE ARCHAIC MAGDALENIAN OF GATO CAVE (17700BP) Pilar Utrilla. University of Zaragoza, Spain E-mail address: [email protected]
This article presents the preliminary results of the three seasons of excavation carried out between 2002 and 2008 in the Gato Cave (Épila, Zaragoza). Their level II has been dated by C14 between 17700 70 and 18090 90 BP and delivered an antler point (sagaie) typical of classic Magdalenian Archaic, type Placard, among other pieces of decorated bone industry. The lithic industry, without raclettes, as in Rascaño 5, being compatible with a typical industry Magdalenian 0, given the rough looking to present their burins and endscrapers and the presence of denticulate pieces. This agrees well with the old date, a thousand years older than other sites with points type Placard as Rascaño 5 (16430BP) or Castillo 8 bottom (16 850 BP). WOOD-RESOURCES EXPLOITATION DEVELOPED BY CANTABRIAN HUNTER-GATHERERS (NORTHERN SPAIN) RELATED TO MIS 2 ENVIRONMENTAL DYNAMICS Paloma Uzquiano. Universida Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Spain E-mail address: [email protected]
A series of anthracological analyses from prehistoric caves of northern Spain are presented. They correspond chronostratigraphically to LGM (upper Solutrean sites ca. 19-18.3 uncal Kyr BP), H-1 (lower Magdalenian sites ca. >15-14 uncal. Kyr BP) and Tardiglacial Interstadial-Younger Dryas (Late Magdalenian-Azilian sites ca. <13-10 uncal. Kyr BP). Main aim is the reconstruction of the vegetal landscape, with especial reference to the wood resource availability in each site considered, related to MIS 2 environmental fluctuations. The changing environments derived from these climatic fluctuations have also influenced the occupation of sites and the exploitation of the territory around by cantabrian prehistoric groups. Open environments with Juniperus, Fabaceae (Ulex, Cytisus) and Salix dominants, together with Hippophae rhamnoides and some slight occurences of Betula, deciduous Quercus, Castanea, and Corylus are the main vegetation cover recorded around the LGM and H-1 sites. The floristic impoverishment obtained is related to short seasonal occupations. The pioneer character of the vegetation is still dominant in the Tardiglacial interstadial sites where Betula experiences a sharp increase accompanied of a greater floristic diversity (mesothermophilous and shrubs). The more favourable climatic conditions are responsible of longer and multiseasonal occupations. Younger Dryas is responsible of the abandoning of the littoral areas towards more sheltered territories. The way in which these taxa have been recorded depends on the geographical position of sites (coastal plain, prelittoral mountains, inner valleys), the nature of dominant substrate (calcareous, siliceous), site-function and economic practises according to the seasonality of main animal resources exploited. MORPHOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF LATE QUATERNARY CO-SEISMIC VERTICAL DISPLACEMENTS AND CATASTROPHIC WAVE IMPACT IN LESVOS ISLAND (NE AEGEAN SEA) Matteo Vacchi. Università degli Studi di Genova, Italy E-mail address: [email protected]
509
Due to its tectonic setting, the Aegean Sea region is particularly susceptible to earthquakes and related tsunamis. In this study presents the results of geomorphic mapping carried out in Lesvos Island, located in a tectonically active area controlled by the parallel activity of both strike slip and normal faults. Its coastal sector shows several traces of such activity like evidence of co-seismic vertical displacements as well as catastrophic waves impact. Numerous markers of uplifted shorelines (shore platforms, marine terraces, notches and beachrocks) located in the southern coast of the Island were identified. Detailed analysis on morphologies and distribution of these markers, coupled with radiometric dating, allowed to identify a Late Quaternary regional uplift trend controlled by the footwall of a large normal fault located between Lesvos and Chios Islands. At local scale, superimposed to this trend, the area is characterized by many indicators of rapid vertical displacements (uplift and downlift) related to the high seismicity. The most important co-seismic event has been found to have happened about 4000 years BP, causing the uplifting of a 5 km shore platform at about + 1,3 m above the present sea level. A parallel study was carried out to identify the process originating a large accumulation of boulders (weighing up to w12.5 t) in the area of Plomari; measurements of size and weight, distance and elevation respect the shoreline were carried out for each boulder; orientation of their elongated a-axis was studied identifying the geographical origin of the waves. An hydrodynamic approach was applied to understand if boulders displacement was compatible with local storm wave regime or if they were dislocated by a tsunami event. A tsunami origin was attributed. Historical data and radiometric dating of fossil material found on the boulders suggested as probable triggering source the destructive 1949’s Chios-Karaburum earthquake. ASSESSING THE LATE QUATERNARY COASTAL UPLIFT OF LESVOS ISLAND USING BEACHROCKS DISTRIBUTION AND MORPHOLOGY Matteo Vacchi. Università degli Studi di Genova, Italy E-mail address: [email protected]
Detailed mapping of paleo-sea level markers has been often used as a tool to quantify coastal uplift and relative sea level changes in several areas of the Mediterranean Sea. In this regard, beachrocks may be of great interest even though their use as sea level indicators has recently been debated. In this study we considered beachrocks as markers of past relative sea level mainly because of their strict altimetric correlation with other sea level markers such as marine terraces or tidal notches. In fact, the combined analysis of erosive and depositional paleo-shoreline indicators is of timely importance because although marine erosional forms are more precise indicators of sea level in coastal settings, they rarely preserve dateable materials, which are more frequent in depositional landforms. This study was carried out in Lesvos Island (NE Aegean Sea) where several beachrocks were mapped along the 300 km-long coastline. They are commonly characterized by multiple generations, and occur in different areas from about – 3 m below mean sea level to + 12 m above mean sea level. 15 beachrocks were mapped and sampled. Petrographic analyses were performed to identify the nature of the constituents as well as the morphology of cements and their microstratigraphy. The first results, based on radiometric dating of beachrock cements and shells, provided evidence of a differential coastal tectonic uplift of Lesvos during Late Quaternary. The southeastern part of the island shows evidence of very rapid coastal uplift, often linked with co-seismic vertical displacement. By contrast, such movements are not evident in the central gulf of Kalloni and in the northern part of the Island, suggesting a different tectonic control in these coastal sectors. Further dating, which is being currently carried out, will help better quantify the uplift rates and correlate the identified past sea levels with archeological remains, such as harbours and breakwaters of the classical Hellenic age. PALEOWATERS IN CAMBRIAN-VENDIAN (EDIACARAN) AQUIFER OF BALTIC BASIN - ISOTOPIC AND GEOCHEMICAL EVOLUTION SINCE LATE PLEISTOCENE Rein Vaikmäe. Tallinn University of Technology/Institute of Geol, Estonia E-mail address: [email protected]
Changes in the climatic conditions during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene greatly impacted the hydrology and geochemical evolution of