El sílex en su contexto geológico: Un corpus de datos para el Pirineo centro-oriental [Chert in its geological context: A data corpus for the central-eastern Pyrenees]

  • Marta Sánchez de la Torre SERP. Universitat de Barcelona
Keywords: archaeopetrological research, lithic procurement, petrography, micropaleontology, lithologic tracers

Abstract


Chert in its geological context: A data corpus for the central-eastern Pyrenees

The analysis of lithic raw materials from an archaeopetrological perspective is essential if the aim is to better understand human groups who used this resource. Archaeopetrology considers lithic tools as natural and cultural remains, taking into account both natural (e.g. petrographical, micropaleontological, and geochemical) and cultural (e.g. technological, typological and traceological) aspects.

We have focused our attention in the Pyrenees Mountain Range, as a specific geographical space, strategic by its location and understood long time ago as a barrier and now as a place of human interaction. This research area is an ideal location for the analysis of lithic raw materials.

The Pyrenees correspond to the portion of the Pyrenean chain that extends between the Gulf of Lion and the Bay of Biscay. From North to South three major areas have been identified: the Norpyrenean Zone, the Axial Zone and the Basque Massif and Southpyrenean Zone (Vera, 2004) (Figure 1). For this study, we have analyzed the geological formations with chert located in the Central-Eastern Pyrenees.

To achieve our goals, first we consulted the existing geological mapping, to see what formations included chert. Having detected the areas potentially containing chert, a series of field surveys took place. The goal was to detect and describe outcrops and proceed to sampling chert for latter characterize them at the laboratory. To accomplish this research at the laboratory, petroarchaeological methods were applied. These methods use descriptions and classifications from the natural sciences, such as petrology, to characterise, define and name rocks used by past societies. Initially a petroarchaeological characterisation of more than 300 chert evidences recovered from up to 75 outcrops was undertaken. This characterization was done in terms of two scales of analyses. First, a macroscopic examination of the entire set was carried out using a binocular microscope. Afterwards, a petrographic and micropaleontological characterization of those materials was performed by analysing them in thin sections.

As a result of the fieldwork carried out, a total of 20 geological formations containing chert were identified: 10 outcropping in the Northern Pyrenean slopes and 10 in the Southern Pyrenean slopes. As it has been said, more than 300 chert evidences recovered from up to 75 outcrops were analyzed, obtaining the results we present below.

In this paper we present the 20 geological formations with chert outcropping in the Central-Eastern Pyrenees. The textural, petrographic and micropaleontological analysis of these cherts has allowed us to document different siliceous varieties with a variable knapping aptitude.

According to their special features and appearance in the archaeological record of distant sites, two long distance tracers have been identified. These are the Agua-Salenz Formation cherts and the Nankin Formation cherts. Both silicifations possess distinctive features allowing us to define strong differences from a macroscopic point of view (inclusions and micropaleontological content). The presence of these cherts in several archaeological sites located at more than 200 km away from the outcropping area is indicating a long distance exchange (e.g. Agua-Salenz cherts in Belvis Cave or Nankin cherts in Parco Cave) (Sánchez 2015). Consequently, these cherts of the Agua-Salenz Formation and the Nankin Formation can be interpreted as examples of long distance tracers for the Central-Eastern Pyrenees.

To conclude, in this study are described the geological formations with chert documented in the Central-Eastern Pyrenees. This data corpus is a helpful tool for other researchers interested in lithic raw materials procurement.

References

Anadón, P., Cabrera, L., Colldeforns, B. y Sáez, A. 1989, Los sistemas lacustres del Eoceno superior y Oligoceno del sector oriental de la Cuenca del Ebro. Acta Geológica Hispánica, 24(3-4): 205-230. (in Spanish) ("The lacustrine systems of the Upper Eocene and Oligocene from the eastern Ebro Basin")
Barragué, J., Barragué, E., Jarry, M., Foucher, P. y Simonnet, R. 2001, Le silex du Flysch de Montgaillard et son exploitation sur les ateliers du Paléolithique supérieur à Hibarette (Hautes-Pyrénées). Paléo, (13): 29-51. (in French) ("The flint of the Montgaillard flysch and its production on the Upper Palaeolithic workshops in Hibarette (Hautes-Pyrénées)") URL: http://paleo.revues.org/951
Bilotte, M. y Andreu, B. 2006, Les marnes d'Auzas (Maastrichtien supérieur sous-pyrénéen). Stratigraphie et paléoenvironnements, association d'ostracodes. Revista Española de Micropaleontología, (38): 309-320. (in French) ("The Auzas marls (Upper pyrenean Maastrichtian). Stratigraphy and paleoenvironment, ostracods association")
Briois, F. 2005, Les industries de pierre taillée néolithiques en Languedoc Occidental. Monographies d'Archéologie Meditérranéenne Vol. 20. Édition de l'Association pour le Developpement de l'Archéologie en Languedoc-Roussillon, Lattes, 341 p. (in French) ("The neolithic lithic knapped industries in Western Languedoc")
Caus, E., Gómez-Garrido, A., Simó, A. y Soriano, K. 1993, Cenomanian-Turonian platform to basin integrated stratigraphy in the South Pyrenees (Spain). Cretaceous Research, 14(4-5): 531-551. (in English) ("Plataforma Cenomaniense-Turoniense para la estratigrafía de la cuenca integrada de la vertiente sur de los Pirineos (España)") doi:10.1006/cres.1993.1038
Caus, E., Teixell, A. y Bernaus, J.M. 1997, Depositional model of a Cenomanian-Turonian extensional basin (Sopeira Basin, NE Spain): Interplay between tectonics, eustasy and biological productivity. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 129(1-2): 23-36. (in English) ("Modelo deposicional de una cuenca extensional Cenomaniense-Turoniense (Cuenca de Sopeira, noreste de España): Interacción entre la tectónica, eustatismo y productividad biológica") doi:10.1016/S0031-0182(96)00051-X
Fernandes, P. 2012, Itinéraires et transformations du silex: une pétroarchéologie refondée, application au Paléolithique moyen. Thèse de doctorat en Préhistoire, École doctorale Sciences et Environnement, Université de Bordeaux 1, Bordeaux, 623 p. (in French) ("Travels and transformations of flints: Revisiting petro-archaeology an its application to Middle Paleolithic assemblages") URL: http://ori-oai.u-bordeaux1.fr/pdf/2012/FERNANDES_PAUL_2012.pdf
Foucher, P. 2004, Les industries lithiques du complexe Gravettien-Solutréen dans les Pyrénées. Technotypologie et circulation des matières siliceuses de part et d’autre de l’axe Pyrénées-Cantabres. Thèse Doctorat no. 2004tou20018, Université de Toulouse 2-le-Mirail, Toulouse, 647 p. (in French) ("The lithic industries of the Gravettian-Solutrean complex in the Pyrenees. Techno-typology and circulation of raw materials on both sides of the Pyrenean-Cantabrian Mountains")
Grégoire, S. 2000, Origine des matières premières des industries lithiques du Paléolithique pyrénéen et méditerranéen: Contribution à la connaissance des aires de circulations humaines. Thèse de doctorat no. 2000PERP0391, Université de Perpignan, Perpignan, 246 p. (in French) ("Lithic raw materials origin from the lithic industries of the pyrenean and mediterranean Palaeolithic")
Grégoire, S., Bazile, F. y Boccaccio, G. 2009, Ressources lithiques en Languedoc-Roussillon et territoires d'exploitations au Paléolithique supérieur. En: Le concept de territoires dans le Paléolothique supérieur européen: Proceedings of the XV World Congress UISPP (Lisbon, 4-9 September 2006) (Djindjian, F., Bicho, N.F. y Kozlowski, J., Eds.), British Archaeological Reports, International Series Vol. 1938, Archaeopress, Oxford: p. 183-200. (in French) ("Lithic sources in Languedoc-Roussillon and exploitation during the Upper Palaeolithic")
IGME 1994a, Mapa Geológico de España 1:50.000, Tremp (hoja 252), serie Magna. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Madrid. (in Spanish) ("Geological Map of Spain 1:50.000, Tremp (sheet 252)")
IGME 1994b, Mapa Geológico de España 1:50.000, La Pobla de Lillet (hoja 255), serie Magna. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Madrid. (in Spanish) ("Geological Map of Spain 1:50.000, La Pobla de Lillet (sheet 255)")
IGME 1994c, Mapa Geológico de España 1:50.000, Ripoll (hoja 256), serie Magna. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Madrid. (in Spanish) ("Geological Map of Spain 1:50.000, Ripoll (sheet 256)")
IGME 1994d, Mapa Geológico de España 1:50.000, Berga (hoja 293), serie Magna. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Madrid. (in Spanish) ("Geological Map of Spain 1:50.000, Berga (293 sheet)")
IGME 2006, Mapa Geológico de España 1:50.000, Os de Balaguer (hoja 327), serie Magna. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Madrid. (in Spanish) ("Geological Map of Spain 1:50.000, Os de Balaguer (327 sheet)")
Institut Geològic de Catalunya 2010, Atles Geològic de Catalunya, 1:50.000. Institut Geològic de Catalunya, Institut Cartogràfic de Catalunya, Barcelona, 463 p. (in Catalan) ("Geological Atlas of Catalonia")
Lacombe, S. 1998, Préhistoire des groupes culturels au Tardiglaciaire dans les Pyrénées centrales. Apports de la technologie lithique. Thèse Doctorat, UFR d'Histoire, Histoire de l'Art et Archéologie, Université de Toulouse - Le Mirail, Toulouse, 385 p. (in French) ("Prehistory of cultural groups during the Last Glacial Maximum in the central Pyrenees: Lithic technology contribution")
Mangado, X. 2005, La caracterización y el aprovisionamiento de los recursos abióticos en la Prehistoria de Cataluña: Las materias primas silíceas del Paleolítico Superior Final y el Epipaleolítico. British Archaeological Reports International Series Vol. 1420. Archaeopress, Oxford, 205 p. (in Spanish) ("The abiotic ressources characterisation and procurement in the Prehistory of Catalonia: the siliceous raw materials during the Upper Palaeolithic and the Epipalaeolithic")
Mangado, X., Ortega, D. y Terradas, X. 2009, Disponibilitat de matèries primeres silícies i explotació antròpica a la vessant meridional dels Pirineus orientals. En: Els Pirineus i les àrees circumdants durant el Tardiglacial. Mutacions i filiacions tecnoculturals, evolució paleoambiental (16.000 - 10.000 BP) (Mercadal, O., Ed.), Institut d'Estudis Ceretans y Patronat F. Eiximenis, Puigcerdà: p. 211-226. (in Catalan) ("Siliceous raw material disponibility and human exploitation in the southern eastern Pyrenees")
Menéndez Granda, L., Rosell i Ardévol, J., Canals i Salomó, A. y Mosquera Martínez, M. 2009, El nivel G de las Fuentes de San Cristóbal (Huesca, España): Nuevas aportaciones al estudio del Paleolítico medio en el Prepirineo aragonés. Cuaternario y Geomorfología, 23(1-2): 95-111. (in Spanish) ("Las Fuentes de San Cristóbal (Huesca, Spain) level G: new contributions to Middle Palaeolithic in Aragon Pre-Pyrenees") URL: http://tierra.rediris.es/CuaternarioyGeomorfologia/images/vol23_1_2/Cuater%2023(1-2)_(06)Menendez.pdf
Mey, P.H.W., Nagtegaal, P.J.C., Roberti, K.J. y Hartevelt, J.J.A. 1968, Lithostratigraphic subdivision of Post-Hercynian deposits in the South-Central Pyrenees, Spain. Leidse Geologische Mededelingen, 41: 221-228. (in English) URL: http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/record/505847
Normand, C. 2002, Les ressources en matières premières siliceuses dans la basse vallée de l'Adour et ses affluents. Quelques données sur leur utilisation au Paléolithique supérieur. En: Comportements techniques et économiques des sociétés du Paléolithique supérieur dans le contexte pyrénéen (Cazals, N., Ed.), Projet Collectif de Recherche 2002, Service Régional de l’Archéologie de Midi-Pyrénées, Toulouse: p. 26-38. (in French) ("The siliceous raw material sources in the low Adour valley and its tributaries. Some data about their uses during the Upper Palaeolithic")
Ortega, D. 2002, Mobilitat i desplaçaments dels grups caçadors-recol·lectors a inicis del Paleolític superior a la regió pirinenca oriental. Cypsela, 14: 11-26. (in Catalan) ("Hunter-gatherers groups mobility during the beggining of the Upper Palaeolithic in the eastern Pyrenean region") URL: http://www.raco.cat/index.php/Cypsela/article/view/112480
Sánchez, M. 2015, Las sociedades cazadoras-recolectoras del Paleolítico superior final pirenaico: territorios económicos y sociales. Tesis Doctoral Inédita, Departament de Prehistòria, Història Antiga i Arqueologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, 587 p. (in Spanish) ("Hunter and gatherer societies from the Upper final Pyrenean Palaeolithic: economic and social territories") URL: http://www.tesisenred.net/handle/10803/286779
Simonnet, R. 1999, De la Géologie à la Préhistoire: le silex des Prépyrénées. Résultats et réflexions sur les perspectives et les limites de l'étude des matières premières lithiques. Paléo, 11(1): 71-88. (in French) ("From the Geology to the Prehistory: the Prepyrenean cherts. Results and considerations about the perspectives and limits in the lithic raw material studies") URL: http://www.persee.fr/doc/pal_1145-3370_1999_num_11_1_1171
Tarriño, A. 2006, El sílex en la Cuenca Vasco-Cantábrica y Pirineo navarro: Caracterización y su aprovechamiento en la prehistoria. Ministerio de Cultura, Madrid, 364 p. (in Spanish) ("Chert in the Vasco-Cantabrian basin and Navarra Pyrenees: Characterisation and exploitation in prehistory")
Tarriño, A., Elorrieta, I. y García-Rojas, M. 2015, Flint as raw material in prehistoric times: Cantabrian Mountain and Western Pyrenees data. Quaternary International, 364: 94-108. (in English) ("El sílex como materia prima en la Prehistoria: datos para los Montes Cántabros y el Pirineo occidental") doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2014.10.061
Terradas, X. 1996, La gestió dels recursos minerals entre les comunitats caçadores-recol·lectores: vers una representació de les estratègies de proveïment de matèries primeres. Tesis Doctoral Inédita no. B-27006-2008, Departament d'Antropologia Social i de Prehistòria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, 279 p. (in Catalan) ("Mineral ressources management from hunter-gatherer communities: to a representation of raw material procurement") URL: http://www.tdx.cat/handle/10803/5525
Vera, J.A. 2004, Geología de España. Instituto Geológico y Minero Español, Madrid, 884 p. (in Spanish) ("Geology of Spain")
Published
21-Dec-2015
How to Cite
Sánchez de la Torre, M. (2015). El sílex en su contexto geológico: Un corpus de datos para el Pirineo centro-oriental [Chert in its geological context: A data corpus for the central-eastern Pyrenees]. Journal of Lithic Studies, 2(2), 167-187. https://doi.org/10.2218/jls.v2i2.1389
Section
Research Articles