Segunda campaña de prospección en el territorio inmediato a Cueva de la Cocina: el Valle del Magre

Moving to the land: First archaeometric study of chert procurement at Cueva de la Cocina (Eastern Iberia)

“…Nevertheless, the top levels have been interpreted as an acculturation process with the arrival of the Neolithic groups in the neighboring areas (Fortea, 1973), although for some authors, these finds are just a product of taphonomic and postdepositional processes (Cortell‐Nicolau et al, 2020; O. García Puchol et al, 2018; Juan‐Cabanilles & García Puchol, 2013; Pardo‐Gordó et al, 2018). Recent archaeological surveys have identified chert outcrops that might have been used as a raw material source in La Canal valley and in the nearby locality of La Paridera (Pardo‐Gordó et al, 2016, 2017).…”

“…This part of the sequence is characterized by a succession of neritic and lacustrine facies, which indicate basin instability and marine regression (García Vélez et al, 1981). Three outcrops for Upper Cretaceous chert were identified during the last surveys (Pardo‐Gordó et al, 2016, 2017). One of the identified outcrops is located in La Canal, just a few hundred meters distant from Cueva de la Cocina.…”

“…The deposit is well known among local people and was exploited until the past century to make agricultural tools. Furthermore, some archaeological artifacts have been collected during the field surveys (Pardo‐Gordó et al, 2017), suggesting the use of the area during prehistoric times. The parent rock was found in the Paleogene conglomerates outcropping in the area, but the above‐quoted Upper Cretaceous limestone, probably a primary source, outcrops in the vicinity as well.…”