Geoarchaeological and microstratigraphic view of a Neanderthal settlement at Rambla de Ahíllas in Iberian Range: Abrigo de la Quebrada (Chelva, Valencia, Spain)

Abstract

The Abrigo de la Quebrada is a Middle Palaeolithic rockshelter located in the Rambla de Ahíllas in the Iberian Range (Valencia, Spain). Archaeological work began in 2007 and was completed in 2015, reaching the rockshelter substratum and uncovering a record that spans from MIS 5 to MIS 4/3. The data from the geoarchaeological and micromorphological study of the site allow us to deduce that it was formed by alluvial contributions from the ephemeral stream, in different subenvironments varying from channel/bar to floodplain facies. These alternate with debris from different displacement processes depending on the unit, such as solifluction–gelifluction, mass displacement, and diffuse runoff. In addition, collapse episodes of the overhanging rockshelter roof influenced the pedological evolution of the record, with implications for the archaeological levels, especially in Unit G (Level IV). From a paleoenvironmental point of view, a more contrasted variability is reflected in the upper units of the site (MIS 4/3), especially in Unit G (Level IV), which, based on data, suggests temperate conditions, and in Unit H (Levels III and II) indicate cold conditions. In contrast, the lower units (MIS 5) are generally temperate, with the exception of Unit C (Level VIIIa), which reflects a colder phase.