The conformation of lithic deposits in Cueva de la Cocina (Eastern Iberia): Natural vs. Anthropological agents (original) (raw)

Abstract

Cocina Cave was excavated for the first time by Lluís Pericot during the 1940s of the XX century. Due to the archaeological methodology followed at the time, some problems may arise for the sake of today's needed accuracy. The main goals of the team of the University of Valencia currently working at the site are not just providing a more detailed recently excavated stratigraphic frame, but also to better understand how human and taphonomic processes are reflected in old excavations. By using some new methodologies, such as virtual 3D reconstruction, we have been able to figure out how some natural processes are deployed through Pericot's deposit. By observing the XYZ distribution of different types of snails –some of which belong to fresh-water habitats and others to terrestrial habitats– through the stratigraphic record we have been able to identify flood episodes affecting the stratigraphy of the site. A logical next step is to proceed to the XYZ distribution of anthropological material (i.e. lithic industry). In this present communication we would like to present the results of the comparison between the afore mentioned natural deposition processes and human deposition rates, all this embedded into a chronological framework refined through a bayesian approach. This comparison will be deployed not only from an XY point of view, but also from a Z point of view. Analytical statistics will be implemented in order to better understand the record. Our goal is to find out what (or how much) influence have natural processes had in the construction of the archaeological assemblage. Also, one of our main objectives is seeing how human distribution rates behave regarding the understanding of our archaeological record, so that we can check if a more accurate layer discrimination –and, therefore, a better understanding of the dynamics of the cave– is possible.

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