Pleistocene to Holocene Stratigraphy of Azokh 1 Cave, Lesser Caucasus

Murray, John; Domínguez-Alonso, Patricio; Fernández–Jalvo, Yolanda; King, Tania; Lynch, Edward P.; Andrews, Peter; Yepiskoposyan, Levon; Moloney, Norah; Cáceres, Isabel; Allué, Ethel; Asryan, Lena; Ditchfield, Peter; Williams, David M.

doi:10.3318/ijes.2010.28.75

Cited by 13 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Two potential interpretations can be considered here: 1) the archaeological material has been affected by post-depositional processes (other than trampling) such as transport caused by energetic water flow in the site. Such an interpretation is virtually impossible as recent sedimentological, stratigraphic and site formation studies Murray et al 2010;Murray et al (in press)) indicate no presence of strong, water-induced movements in the current excavation area in which the studied assemblages were found. 2) Some heavily altered artefacts may have been transported from elsewhere (e.g., a nearby river valley) for re-use or recycling purposes, abandoned in this area of the cave and subsequently exposed to further alteration.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Reality and confusion in the recognition of post-depositional alterations and use-wear: an experimental approach on basalt tools

Asryan

Ollé

Moloney

2014

JLS

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Abstract:While many experimental studies have been done on siliceous and metamorphic rocks for both use-wear and post depositional surface modification (PDSM) events, little is known about such experiments on volcanic materials (other than obsidian), and on basalt in particular. Here we present the preliminary results of several experiments related to: a) evidence for basalt use (e.g., butchery and fresh hide scraping) and the subsequent characteristic use-wear patterns that can be seen; and b) postdepositional surface modifications caused by bear (Ursidae) trampling on experimental basalt flakes and subsequent use of these flakes for a tumbling experiment in a special tumbling machine.The results of these experiments were compared to better understand some surface modifications noted on the Middle to Upper Pleistocene lithic assemblages of the Azokh Cave site (Nagorno Karabagh, Lesser Caucasus).Although some aspects of both events (use-wear and PDSM) remain to be studied in depth, the experiments have improved our understanding of the effects of use-wear and post-depositional trampling and tumbling on basalt lithic artefacts. In particular, it has allowed us to recognise mechanical alterations (e.g., cracks, striations, fractures, edge damage) caused by trampling and tumbling and to note differences between these modifications and those caused by use. In particular, the experiments have shown that macroscopic modifications are rarely diagnostic, especially those observed after use. Microscopic wear features such as edge rounding, polish, abrasion and striations were the most evident types of alteration on basalt flakes, although occurring at different times and from different types of use. Distribution and orientation of alterations may be key in distinguishing use-wear from post-depositional alterations on basalt artefacts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Reality and confusion in the recognition of post-depositional alterations and use-wear: an experimental approach on basalt tools

Asryan

Ollé

Moloney

2014

JLS

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“…In Azokh 1, nine stratigraphic units are identified, currently separated into two sediment sequences, which can no longer be readily correlated due to the removal of all the intervening stratigraphy (Fig. 2) (Murray et al 2010(Murray et al , 2016:…”

Section: Azokhmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sediment Sequence 2: contains Units V to I. The new excavations focus on these units; all of them present an archaeological record, with an age range from the Middle (MIS 9-8) to the Late Pleistocene (MIS 5) (Units V to II), with some Holocene sediments at the top (Unit I) (Fernández-Jalvo et al 2010, 2016bMurray et al 2010;Asryan 2015;Asryan et al 2017Asryan et al , 2020.…”

Section: Azokhmentioning

confidence: 99%

Palaeoecological reconstructions of the Middle to Late Pleistocene occupations in the Southern Caucasus using rodent assemblages

Rey-Rodríguez

López‐García

Stoetzel

et al. 2022

Archaeol Anthropol Sci

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Located at the crossroads between Africa, Europe and Asia, the Southern Caucasus is a prime location to study occupations by H. heidelbergensis, H. neanderthalensis and anatomically modern humans. Azokh Cave is an important site for the understanding of human evolution in its archaeological, palaeontological, environmental and ecological context. The main objective of this work is to use rodents to infer the climatic and environmental conditions that prevailed during the formation of the site. The small-mammal remains come from the archaeological excavation campaigns carried out in Azokh 1 in 2003, 2005, 2014, 2015 and 2018; they are from Unit V, Units III–IV and Unit II. The small-mammal assemblage is composed of at least 13 taxa: seven arvicoline, two cricetine, two gerbilline, one dipodid and one murine species. Units III–IV do not yield enough material to draw palaeoclimatic inferences. The palaeoclimatic conditions for Units V and II, ascertained by means of the bioclimatic model, suggest temperatures and precipitation similar to nowadays; the climate seems to be relatively warm-temperate in both units. The palaeoenvironmental reconstruction by means of habitat weighting points to an environment mainly composed of desert and steppe habitats, as well as portions of grassland and forest. This interpretation differs from that inferred from the large-mammal and archaeobotanical data, which indicate a woodland environment. These differences could be explained by the origin of the accumulation. There was no evidence of a major palaeoenvironmental or palaeoclimatic change between the Middle and Late Pleistocene layers, indicating favourable conditions throughout the study period.

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“…The archaeological record of the site consists of macro‐ and micro‐faunal remains, lithic artefacts, hominin remains and charcoals. These were recovered from five different stratigraphic horizons (Units V–I) belonging to the upper sedimentary sequence preserved at the rear of the cave passage, and ranging in age from ~300 to 100 ka (Units V–II) and ~150 bp (Unit I) (Fernández‐Jalvo et al ; Murray et al , ; Asryan et al ; King et al , : for extensive results from an earlier phase of excavation work at the cave, see also Huseinov ; Lioubine ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…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. Previous workers have linked the syn‐diagenetic precipitation of this mineral to the presence of bat guano (Magela da Costa and Rúbia Ribeiro ; Marincea et al ; Shahack‐Gross et al ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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Pleistocene to Holocene Stratigraphy of Azokh 1 Cave, Lesser Caucasus

Cited by 13 publications

References 14 publications

Reality and confusion in the recognition of post-depositional alterations and use-wear: an experimental approach on basalt tools

Reality and confusion in the recognition of post-depositional alterations and use-wear: an experimental approach on basalt tools

Palaeoecological reconstructions of the Middle to Late Pleistocene occupations in the Southern Caucasus using rodent assemblages

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)

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