Geology and Geomorphology of Azokh Caves

Domínguez-Alonso, Patricio; Aracil, E.; Porres, J.A.; Andrews, Peter; Lynch, Edward P.; Murray, John

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-24924-7_3

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…The experimentally produced flakes were not placed directly inside the cave, in particular in its dark inner reaches (Fig. S2), where extensive deposits of bat guano are actively accumulating (see Domínguez‐Alonso et al ), as practical and systematic control of the experimental set‐up would have been impossible. Therefore, fresh guano was taken from the interior of the cave and, under controlled conditions, placed in a wooden crate measuring 35 cm long by 21 cm wide and 20 cm in height.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Azokh Cave is (presently) an abandoned karstic network hosted in Mesozoic limestones and is located in the orogen created by the closure of the Tethyan Ocean and the subsequent collision of the Arabian and Eurasian plates during Mesozoic and Cenozoic times (Saintoti et al ; Domínguez‐Alonso et al ). As a result, the rocks in the wider region, surrounding the cave site, typically comprise a range of sedimentary and volcanic lithologies.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The lithic assemblages on which this study is based were recovered from Azokh 1 entrance passage, a Middle Pleistocene to Holocene cave site located at the south‐eastern end of the Lesser Caucasus, at 39°37.15'N, 46°59.32'E (Domínguez‐Alonso et al ). The archaeological record of the site consists of macro‐ and micro‐faunal remains, lithic artefacts, hominin remains and charcoals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is clear evidence of chemical alteration having affected the Azokh archaeological assemblages, much most probably due to the presence of bat guano. This waste product may also have exerted an influence on the latter stages of development of the cave system itself (Domínguez‐Alonso et al ). Murray et al () reported the presence of tinsleyite (K‐ and Al‐rich hydrated phosphate) in parts of the sedimentary infill of Azokh 1 cave passage, including from Unit II.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Chemical Alteration of Lithic Artefacts: an Experimental Case Study on the effect of Guano on Stone Flakes and Its Contextualization in the Archaeological Assemblage of Azokh Cave (Southern Caucasus)

et al. 2017

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Chemical weathering of archaeological material is well known; however, while there have been a number of experimental studies demonstrating different types and degrees of chemical alteration on faunal remains, little attention has been paid to stone tools, and the few studies that exist relate mainly to siliceous materials and water‐induced chemical alteration. Azokh Cave, located in the South Caucasus, contains a Middle Pleistocene to Holocene infill, and detailed macro‐ and microscopic examination of the lithic assemblages recovered there indicates potential chemical weathering of the stone artefacts. The cave is also currently home to one of the largest bat colonies in the region, and their guano forms a significant component of the infill of the inner galleries. Based on these two factors, an experimental pilot study was set up to artificially chemically alter a range of stone flakes produced specifically for the task, in order to determine the nature and likely cause of weathering. The experimental flakes, produced from different raw materials, were buried in fresh bat guano for up to two years. The results reported herein demonstrate that in a relatively short time, the highly acidic composition of bat guano strongly affects calcium‐bearing rocks (e.g., limestone, basalt) altering their entire surface. Similar comparisons may be made with chemical alteration evident on archaeological lithics from Azokh Cave, suggesting that bat guano has played a significant role in diagenetic alteration.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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