Chronostratigraphy and geodynamic processes of the Upper Pleistocene record of Tossal de la Roca (Vall d'Alcalà, Alicante, Spain)

Abstract

Tossal de la Roca (Vall d’Alcalà, Alicante, Spain) is a rockshelter that contains an important sedimentary record of Upper Pleistocene and Holocene with archaeological remains from Magdalenien to Mesolithic. The archaeological excavations carried out in its internal sector and the latest geoarchaeological researches performed in its deposits reveal a sedimentary sequence composed of several lithostratigraphic units. In addition the different geodynamic processes that have acted in the formation and later evolution of the archaeological deposits have been identified, emphasizing gelifracction and hydric processes of varied energy. The sequence is affected by tectonic activity recent, responsible for the formation of a fault with fold of drag. Nineteen radiocarbon dates obtained from some levels of the sequence given a chronological framework of incredible value about the Iberian Mediterranean Late Glacial. These dates allow to locate the different magdalenien and epipaleolithic/ mesolithic occupations in the temporary bracket between 20960 and 13580 cal BP, including the Greenland Stadial GS 2b up to the Greenland Interstadilal GI 1c. This sequence is affected by recent tectonic activity occurred after the calibrated interval 13780 - 13580 cal BP (2σ).