Geoarchaeology of Piedra Museo Locality

Abstract

This chapter is focused on the main geological, geomorphological, and sedimentological characteristics of the Piedra Museo locality in order to achieve a better understanding of the significance of the archaeological record. A hierarchical spatial scale analysis (regional scale, areal scale, local scale, site scale) was used to interpret the AEP-1 archaeological site. Sedimentological analysis (grain size) and mineralogical analysis were performed in selected samples. The lithological and morphological features of the AEP-1 sedimentary filling which consists of two lithostratigraphic units (A B) suggest a distinct pedological modification that resulted in a soil sequence. Hence, each of the originally identified layers with numbers, are soil horizons. The major pedogenetic reorganization occurred in the upper section of the sedimentary filling (layers 2, 3, 4). The lower layers (5, 6) have been affected by the fluctuations of the water table. The early occupations (late-glacial interval) of the rock shelter occurred when the sedimentation was dominant; instead, the later occupations (early-middle Holocene) occurred when soil-forming processes were prevalent.