Chronostratigraphic and cultural context of the lithic assemblage from Base Menacho locality (Guadiana River basin, Badajoz, Spain): first results

Abstract

We report here the discovery of a lithic assemblage at Base Menacho locality (Badajoz, Spain), found within a sedimentary level overlying the alluvial deposits associated to the fluvial terrace T3 (+10-20 m above current river channel) of the Zapatón River, a tributary of the Guadiana River in the Vegas Bajas area (Badajoz, Spain). The assemblage is made of 46 artefacts, including flakes, cores and retouched tools. There are no characteristic lithic elements allowing a firm attribution to Mode 2 or 3 techno-complexes. Since the artefacts were found in sediment deposited in a relatively low-energy environment (fine sands) and they do not show any apparent evidence of abrasion marks on their surface, we can reasonably assume in first instance the absence of transport (or only very limited). These observations suggest that the assemblage is in primary position. Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) dating of one quartz sample collected from the archaeological level yields a burial age of 19.2 ± 1.7 ka (1σ). Interestingly, all sources of uncertainty considered, this dating result systematically correlates Base Menacho to the late Upper Pleistocene, and especially with the MIS 2. It also provides key chronological constraints for a peculiar lithic assemblage lacking characteristic lithic artefacts, like many other understudied assemblages documented in fluvial contexts of the Iberian Peninsula. Finally, this numerical age estimate correlates Base Menacho to the Upper Palaeolithic, a period with scarce archaeological evidence within the Iberian Peninsula. Despite these promising preliminary results, we nevertheless acknowledge the need for a proper archaeological excavation in order to increase the size of the assemblage and obtain a better understanding of the variability of the lithic assemblage and of the site formation processes.