Sedimentary and diagenetic processes in the archaelogical record from Pleistocene site of El Esquilleu cave (Picos de Europa, North of Spain)

Abstract

El Esquilleu cave (Cillórigo de Liébana, Cantabria, North of Spain) is a rockshelter placed in the Picos de Europa region (Cantabrian Range) that contains an important sedimentary, archaeological and palaeontological record of the Upper Pleistocene (OIS 3) with abundant mousterian lithics industries and bone remains of mammals and others vertebrates. The stratigraphic sequence consists of 41 levels grouped in four litostratigraphic units with different sedimentary meaning studied by geoarchaeological and taphonomical methods. In the low unit we have detected important accumulations of hydroxylapatite of diagenetic origin, studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), environmetal scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and thermoluminescence (TL). The radiocarbon dates existing and their calibration allow approximately locate this interesting record during OIS 3 in a temporary bracket between 60000 and 37000 BP.