New perspectives for 14C dating of parietal markings using CaCO3 thin layers: An example in Nerja cave (Spain)

Author

José Luis Sanchidrián
Hélène Valladas
Ma Ángeles Medina-Alcaide
Edwige Pons-Branchu

Files

Publication Date

4-1-2017

Publication Title

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

Volume Number

12

Abstract

For the first time direct 14C dating was undertaken on two black parietal marks in Nerja cave (Malaga province, Southern Spain). Analyses were conducted on charcoal splinters (conifer wood) from the marks but also on the carbonate deposits underlying and overlying one of them. The satisfactory correlation between the ages of the black marks and those of the carbonate deposits validates the use of 14C to date these two materials in Nerja and other decorated caves. The ages of the two marks fall in the same time range, between 20,000 and 18,000 years cal BP, evidencing human presence during the Early Magdalenian period in the upper galleries of Nerja cave.

Keywords

Dating C14-AMS, Decorated cave, Palaeolithic art, Carbonate deposits, Charcoal

Document Type

Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.01.028

Recommended Citation

Sanchidrián, José Luis; Valladas, Hélène; Medina-Alcaide, Ma Ángeles; and Pons-Branchu, Edwige, "New perspectives for 14C dating of parietal markings using CaCO3 thin layers: An example in Nerja cave (Spain)" (2017). KIP Articles. 6669.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/kip_articles/6669