Stratigraphy and geomorphology of Des-Cubierta Cave (Pinilla del Valle, Madrid, Spain): Geological insights into a Neanderthal symbolic accumulation of large crania

IF 2.2 3区地球科学 Q3 GEOGRAPHY, PHYSICAL

Journal of Quaternary Science Pub Date : 2025-05-20 DOI:10.1002/jqs.3722

David Manuel Martín-Perea, Enrique Baquedano, Juan Luis Arsuaga, César Laplana, Ana Isabel Ortega, Lucía Villaescusa, Belén Márquez, Rosa Huguet, Abel Moclán, Sandra Gómez Soler, Xabier Arroyo, Laura Rodríguez, Rebeca García-González, M. Cruz Ortega, Jesús Masa-Andrés, Diego J. Álvarez-Lao, Nuria García, M. Ángeles Galindo-Pellicena, Tom Higham, Alfredo Pérez-González

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Abstract

Des-Cubierta Cave, part of the Calvero de la Higuera complex, is situated in the intramountainous upper valley of the Lozoya River within the Guadarrama Range. The cave's geological, palaeontological, and archaeological record reveals a complex history of sedimentary and anthropogenic processes spanning hundreds of thousands of years, represented in 12 lithostratigraphic units. Among these, Unit 3 stands out for its archaeological significance, containing evidence of Neanderthal activity, including Mousterian lithic tools and an unusual assemblage of large mammal crania, which suggests symbolic behaviour. Geological data indicate that Unit 3 was deposited during cold periods (MIS 4) through multiple rockfall episodes, implying that these symbolic practices persisted across generations. The cave's geomorphology points to a possible Neanderthal entrance via a side opening created by erosion in the southern part of the cave. This study enhances our understanding of Des-Cubierta Cave's geological development and the long-term Neanderthal occupations, offering valuable insights into their symbolic and cultural behaviours.

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Des-Cubierta洞穴（Pinilla del Valle，马德里，西班牙）的地层学和地形学：对尼安德特人大颅骨象征性堆积的地质见解

Des-Cubierta洞穴是Calvero de la Higuera建筑群的一部分，位于Guadarrama山脉内Lozoya河的山内上游山谷。洞穴的地质、古生物学和考古记录揭示了跨越数十万年的沉积和人为过程的复杂历史，代表了12个岩石地层单位。其中，第三单元因其考古意义而引人注目，它包含了尼安德特人活动的证据，包括莫斯特石器工具和一组不寻常的大型哺乳动物头盖骨，这表明了象征性的行为。地质数据表明，3号单元是在寒冷时期（MIS 4）通过多次岩崩事件沉积的，这意味着这些象征性的做法代代相传。洞穴的地貌表明，尼安德特人可能通过洞穴南部侵蚀形成的侧面开口进入洞穴。这项研究增强了我们对Des-Cubierta洞穴的地质发展和尼安德特人长期职业的理解，为他们的象征和文化行为提供了有价值的见解。

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来源期刊

Journal of Quaternary Science 地学-地球科学综合

CiteScore

4.70

自引率

8.70%

发文量

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： The Journal of Quaternary Science publishes original papers on any field of Quaternary research, and aims to promote a wider appreciation and deeper understanding of the earth''s history during the last 2.58 million years. Papers from a wide range of disciplines appear in JQS including, for example, Archaeology, Botany, Climatology, Geochemistry, Geochronology, Geology, Geomorphology, Geophysics, Glaciology, Limnology, Oceanography, Palaeoceanography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, Palaeontology, Soil Science and Zoology. The journal particularly welcomes papers reporting the results of interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary research which are of wide international interest to Quaternary scientists. Short communications and correspondence relating to views and information contained in JQS may also be considered for publication.