THE AMINOCHRONOLOGY OF MAN-INDUCED SHELL MIDDENS IN CAVES IN NORTHERN SPAIN

• Published in: Archaeometry Vol. 51; no. 1; pp. 123 - 139
• Main Authors: ORTIZ, J. E., TORRES, T., GONZÁLEZ-MORALES, M. R., ABAD, J., ARRIBAS, I., FORTEA, F. J., GARCÍA-BELENGUER, F., GUTIÉRREZ-ZUGASTI, I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.01.2009; Wiley-Blackwell
• Subjects: AMINO ACID RACEMIZATION; DATING; Environmental studies; Europe; Flora; Generalities; MESOLITHIC; Methodology and general studies; PALAEOLITHIC; Palaeolithic and mesolithic; PATELLA; Prehistory and protohistory; SHELL MIDDENS; South West Europe; Mesolithic; Palaeolithic; Europe; Spain; Anthropisation; Amino Acid Racemization; Shell midden; Petrography; Dating
• ISSN: 0003-813X; 1475-4754
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-4754.2008.00383.x

Here, we provide the first report on the ages of 54 archaeological levels in 38 caves in northern Spain by means of the aspartic acid d/l ratio measurements in Patella shells, with good results. For this purpose, we developed an age calculation algorithm that allows the numerical dating of deposits from other archaeological localities in the area and nearby regions. We conclude that the sample size—that is, the number of shells analysed within a single level—reinforces the importance of analysing numerous specimens per horizon and the understanding of the time‐averaging concept. The ultrastructure of different species of Patella shells was also studied, showing calcite in their apexes and aragonite at their margins.