- Dept. Geodinámica y Paleontología, Facultad de CC Experimentales, Campus del Carmen, 21071-Huelva, Spain
- +34.959219862
Joaquín Vidal
Huelva University, Geodinámica y Paleontología, Faculty Member
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The micro-morphologic and bioerosive features, analyzed in the Benzú shelter (Ceuta), allow us to deduce an erosion marine surface elaborated onto dolomite triassic substrate. The Entobia-Gastrochaenolites Ichnoassociation and Entobia... more
The micro-morphologic and bioerosive features, analyzed in the Benzú shelter (Ceuta), allow us to deduce an erosion marine surface elaborated onto dolomite triassic substrate. The Entobia-Gastrochaenolites Ichnoassociation and Entobia ichnofacies denote high energy coastal or shallow marine environment with low sedimentation rates. Two phases are differentiated in the evolution of these bioerosive structures: the first one defined by great borings of Gastrochaenolites, and the second recorded by bioerosive activity of Entobia and truncation of both, the previous borings and the cliff surface
Research Interests: Bioerosion, Arqueología, Geología, Ceuta, Middle Pleistocene, and 3 moreNotch, Benzú, and Pleistoceno Medio
Las excavaciones en la Cueva de Bray en Gibraltar han documentado una serie de enterramientos de la Edad de Bronce, esto supone una nueva aportación al conocimiento de la ocupación prehistórica del Peñón de Gibraltar y se convierte en una... more
Las excavaciones en la Cueva de Bray en Gibraltar han documentado una serie de enterramientos de la Edad de Bronce, esto supone una nueva aportación al conocimiento de la ocupación prehistórica del Peñón de Gibraltar y se convierte en una referencia regional para el estudio de los rituales funerarios de este período.
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We compare the Middle Palaeolithic sites of Gibraltar and Zafarraya in southern Iberia. We use birds as indicators of environmental quality and demonstrate huge differences between coastal and inland, mountain, sites separated by less... more
We compare the Middle Palaeolithic sites of Gibraltar and Zafarraya in southern Iberia. We use birds as indicators of environmental quality and demonstrate huge differences between coastal and inland, mountain, sites separated by less than 150 km. We conclude that the Gibraltar sites represented locations of repeated occupation by Neanderthals over tens of millennia whereas Zafarraya represents a site of sporadic visits for particular prey. This is in response to very different climatic conditions. Our results show how important ecological quality is in understanding Palaeolithic sites and metapopulations and how birds are particularly informative in our understanding of the ecology of such sites.
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Ostracods are microcrustaceans that grow by moulting (eight to nine instars in most cases) and, consequently, studies of its populations need the application of some special techniques. The population age structure techniques [Whatley,... more
Ostracods are microcrustaceans that grow by moulting (eight to nine instars in most cases) and, consequently, studies of its populations need the application of some special techniques. The population age structure techniques [Whatley, in: Ostracoda in the Earth Sciences, 1988, pp. 245–256] are a simple statistical method to estimate paleoenvironmental conditions in fossil/Recent populations of ostracods. For its application, it
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The production of purposely made painted or engraved designs on cave walls—a means of recording and transmitting symbolic codes in a durable manner—is recognized as a major cognitive step in human evolution. Considered exclusive to modern... more
The production of purposely made painted or engraved designs on cave walls—a means of recording and transmitting symbolic codes in a durable manner—is recognized as a major cognitive step in human evolution. Considered exclusive to modern humans, this behavior has been used to argue in favor of significant cognitive differences between our direct ancestors and contemporary archaic hominins, including the Neanderthals. Here we present the first known example of an abstract pattern engraved by Neanderthals, from Gorham’s Cave in Gibraltar. It consists of a deeply impressed cross-hatching carved into the bedrock of the cave that has remained covered by an undisturbed archaeological level containing Mousterian artifacts made by Neanderthals and is older than 39 cal kyr BP. Geochemical analysis of the epigenetic coating over the engravings and experimental replication show that the engraving was made before accumulation of the archaeological layers, and that most of the lines composing t...
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This study utilizes geomorphology, marine sediment data, environmental reconstructions and the Gorham's Cave occupational record during the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition to illustrate the impacts of climate changes on human... more
This study utilizes geomorphology, marine sediment data, environmental reconstructions and the Gorham's Cave occupational record during the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition to illustrate the impacts of climate changes on human population dynamics in the Western Mediterranean. Geomorphologic evolution has been dated and appears to be driven primarily by coastal dune systems, sea-level changes and seismo-tectonic evolution. Continental and marine records are well correlated and used to interpret the Gorham's Cave sequence. Specific focus is given to the three hiatus sections found in Gorham's Cave during Heinrich periods 4, 3 and 2. These time intervals are compared with a wide range of regional geomorphologic, climatic, paleoseismic, faunal and archeological records. Our data compilations indicate that climatic and local geo-morphologic changes explain the Homo sapiens spp. occupational hiatuses during Heinrich periods 4 and 3. The last hiatus corresponds to the replacement of Homo neanderthalensis by H. sapiens. Records of dated cave openings, slope breccias and stalactite falls suggest that marked geomorphologic changes, seismic activity and ecological perturbations occurred during the period when Homo replacement took place.
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Numerous studies along the northern Mediterranean borderland have documented the use of shellfish by Neanderthals but none of these finds are prior to Marine Isotopic Stage 3 (MIS 3). In this paper we present evidence that gathering and... more
Numerous studies along the northern Mediterranean borderland have documented the use of shellfish by Neanderthals but none of these finds are prior to Marine Isotopic Stage 3 (MIS 3). In this paper we present evidence that gathering and consumption of mollusks can now be traced back to the lowest level of the archaeological sequence at Bajondillo Cave (Málaga, Spain), dated during the MIS 6. The paper describes the taxonomical and taphonomical features of the mollusc assemblages from this level Bj19 and briefly touches upon those retrieved in levels Bj18 (MIS 5) and Bj17 (MIS 4), evidencing a continuity of the shellfishing activity that reaches to MIS 3. This evidence is substantiated on 29 datings through radiocarbon, thermoluminescence and U series methods. Obtained dates and paleoenvironmental records from the cave include isotopic, pollen, lithostratigraphic and sedimentological analyses and they are fully coherent with palaeoclimate conditions expected for the different stages. We conclude that described use of shellfish resources by Neanderthals (H. neanderthalensis) in Southern Spain started ~150 ka and were almost contemporaneous to Pinnacle Point (South Africa), when shellfishing is first documented in archaic modern humans
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The late survival of archaic hominin populations and their long contemporaneity with modern humans is now clear for southeast Asia. In Europe the extinction of the Neanderthals, firmly associated with Mousterian technology, has received... more
The late survival of archaic hominin populations and their long contemporaneity with modern humans is now clear for southeast Asia. In Europe the extinction of the Neanderthals, firmly associated with Mousterian technology, has received much attention, and evidence of their survival after 35 kyr bp has recently been put in doubt. Here we present data, based on a high-resolution record of human occupation from Gorham's Cave, Gibraltar, that establish the survival of a population of Neanderthals to 28 kyr bp. These Neanderthals survived in the southernmost point of Europe, within a particular physiographic context, and are the last currently recorded anywhere. Our results show that the Neanderthals survived in isolated refuges well after the arrival of modern humans in Europe.
Research Interests: Ancient History, Paleoanthropology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Palaeoenvironment, Palaeolithic Archaeology, and 13 moreSoutheast Asia, Gibraltar, Population Dynamics, Iberian Prehistory (Archaeology), Multidisciplinary, Nature, Prehistory, Humans, Fossils, Animals, High Resolution, Time Factors, and Hominidae
The late survival of archaic hominin populations and their long contemporaneity with modern humans is now clear for southeast Asia. In Europe the extinction of the Neanderthals, firmly associated with Mousterian technology, has received... more
The late survival of archaic hominin populations and their long
contemporaneity with modern humans is now clear for southeast
Asia. In Europe the extinction of the Neanderthals, firmly associated with Mousterian technology, has received much attention, and evidence of their survival after 35 kyr BP has recently been put in doubt. Here we present data, based on a high-resolution record of human occupation from Gorham’s Cave, Gibraltar, that establish the survival of a population of Neanderthals to 28 kyr BP. These Neanderthals survived in the southernmost point of Europe, within a particular physiographic context, and are the last currently recorded anywhere. Our results show that the Neanderthals survived in isolated refuges well after the arrival of modern humans in Europe.
contemporaneity with modern humans is now clear for southeast
Asia. In Europe the extinction of the Neanderthals, firmly associated with Mousterian technology, has received much attention, and evidence of their survival after 35 kyr BP has recently been put in doubt. Here we present data, based on a high-resolution record of human occupation from Gorham’s Cave, Gibraltar, that establish the survival of a population of Neanderthals to 28 kyr BP. These Neanderthals survived in the southernmost point of Europe, within a particular physiographic context, and are the last currently recorded anywhere. Our results show that the Neanderthals survived in isolated refuges well after the arrival of modern humans in Europe.
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This paper deals with the so-called Middle Pleistocene revolution, that is, the transition between the Early and Middle Pleistocene between 1.2 and 0.5 million years ago. Our knowledge about biotic changes during this transition has been... more
This paper deals with the so-called Middle Pleistocene revolution, that is, the transition between the Early and Middle Pleistocene between 1.2 and 0.5 million years ago. Our knowledge about biotic changes during this transition has been so far largely based on studies of large mammals. Here we address the issue whether all faunal groups were equally affected. Three datasets have been used: (a) European large mammals present in the Middle and Late Pleistocene, (b) European fossil bird species recorded from the Early, Middle and Late Pleistocene of Europe, and (c) present-day birds currently classified in subfamilies that contain at least one Palaearctic representative species. Each species was allocated to all those geographical areas, climates, habitats in which it is present today; migratory status was also recorded. These datasets serve to undertake a biochronological analysis of mammal and bird groups, thus establishing patterns and processes of extinction and survival at the genus and species levels. The end of the Middle Pleistocene appears to have been a significant boundary in respect of herbivorous mammals, which suffered considerable depletion. In contrast, most genera and species of European birds in the Middle Pleistocene survived into the Late Pleistocene, even to the present day. Furthermore, at least 58% of the Middle-Pleistocene bird species were already present in the Early Pleistocene record. The most successful survivors in the Palaearctic Pleistocene were species from genera that had been the most climatically-tolerant during the late Cenozoic, usually from speciose and widely-distributed genera. We conclude that major transitions in Earth history have leant largely on biochronology and the perceived turnovers of faunas. Boundaries have usually depended heavily on changes to specific taxa of organisms. In this paper we show that what may appear as epic boundaries are largely scale- and taxon-dependent. Their usefulness must therefore be open to question. Here we advocate an individualistic and taxon specific approach in understanding the major ecological changes that have marked the history organisms.
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- Clemente, M.J., Rodríguez-Vidal, J., Cáceres, L.M., González-Regalado, M.L., Gómez, P., Toscano, A., Abad, M., Ruiz, F., Campos, J., Bermejo, J., Gómez-Toscano, F., González-Regalado, F. Estuarine coastal barriers as archive of... more
- Clemente, M.J., Rodríguez-Vidal, J., Cáceres, L.M., González-Regalado, M.L., Gómez, P., Toscano, A., Abad, M., Ruiz, F., Campos, J., Bermejo, J., Gómez-Toscano, F., González-Regalado, F. Estuarine coastal barriers as archive of high-energy events during the mid-late Holocene (Gulf of Cádiz, SW Spain): Human implications. Progress in Quaternary archive studies in the Iberian Peninsula. Seville (Spain), Marzo, 2015. pag 29.
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The micro-morphologic and bioerosive features, analyzed in the Benzú shelter (Ceuta), allow us to deduce an erosion marine surface elaborated onto dolomite triassic substrate. The Entobia-Gastrochaenolites Ichnoassociation and Entobia... more
The micro-morphologic and bioerosive features, analyzed in the Benzú shelter (Ceuta), allow us to deduce an erosion marine surface elaborated onto dolomite triassic substrate. The Entobia-Gastrochaenolites Ichnoassociation and Entobia ichnofacies denote high energy coastal or shallow marine environment with low sedimentation rates. Two phases are differentiated in the evolution of these bioerosive structures: the first one defined by great borings of Gastrochaenolites, and the second recorded by bioerosive activity of Entobia and truncation of both, the previous borings and the cliff surface.
ABSTRACT The Rock of Gibraltar, at the south-western extreme of the Iberian Peninsula and 21 km from the North African coast, is a 6-km long limestone peninsula which was inhabited by Neanderthals from MIS 5e until the end of MIS 3. A... more
ABSTRACT The Rock of Gibraltar, at the south-western extreme of the Iberian Peninsula and 21 km from the North African coast, is a 6-km long limestone peninsula which was inhabited by Neanderthals from MIS 5e until the end of MIS 3. A total of 8 sites, either with Neanderthal fossils or their Mousterian lithic technology, have been discovered on the Rock. Two, Gorham's and Vanguard Caves, are the subject of ongoing research. These caves are currently at sea level, but during MIS 3 faced an emerged coastal shelf with the shoreline as far as 5 km away at times. They hold a unique archive of fauna and flora, in the form of fossils, charcoal and pollen, helping environmental reconstruction of now-submerged shelf landscapes. In addition, geological and geomorphological features — a 300-metre dune complex, elevated aeolian deposits, raised beaches, scree, speleothems — complement the biotic picture.
Research Interests: Geology and Geomorphology
Research Interests: Archaeology and Paleo
"Gorham’s Cave (Gibraltar) is currently the site with the most recent dates for Neanderthal presence in the world. The stratigraphy of late Neanderthal occupation of Gorham’s Cave is dated between 33 and 24 ka BP. This paper presents... more
"Gorham’s Cave (Gibraltar) is currently the site with the most recent dates for Neanderthal presence in the
world. The stratigraphy of late Neanderthal occupation of Gorham’s Cave is dated between 33 and 24 ka
BP. This paper presents the analysis of the lithic industry from these statigraphic levels. This study
establishes that this assemblage is undoubtedly Mousterian."
world. The stratigraphy of late Neanderthal occupation of Gorham’s Cave is dated between 33 and 24 ka
BP. This paper presents the analysis of the lithic industry from these statigraphic levels. This study
establishes that this assemblage is undoubtedly Mousterian."
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1746 paginas, figuras. N° de réf. du libraire 407581
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The passive margin of the Guadalquivir foreland basin records different stages of evolution during the tortonian transgression, mainly determinate by sedimentary supply/accommodation space ratio (A/S ratio, Cattaneo and Steel, 2003). In a... more
The passive margin of the Guadalquivir foreland basin records different stages of evolution during the tortonian transgression, mainly determinate by sedimentary supply/accommodation space ratio (A/S ratio, Cattaneo and Steel, 2003). In a first phase, a high supply from the continental and deltaic systems filled quickly the low accommodation space and produced an agradational/progradational stacking pattern of sequences. The second episode is characterized by a change in these conditions, so the passive margin register a ...
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During the period represented by the sandy infills of the eastern flank caves and the Catalan Sand formation, it was likely that Gibraltar was part of the mainland, including a broad coastal plain covered with transgressive wind-blown... more
During the period represented by the sandy infills of the eastern flank caves and the Catalan Sand formation, it was likely that Gibraltar was part of the mainland, including a broad coastal plain covered with transgressive wind-blown dunes. All aeolian formations originated on marine beaches, from 6 m asl To 100 m bsl, before being blown inland to accumulate as topographic dunes. Cliff-front aeolian accumulations comprise echo dunes, climbing dunes and sand ramps. Aeolian deposition began inmediately before the last ...
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The Rock of Gibraltar is located in a geographic configuration and a geodynamic context that favors the occurrence and preservation of tsunami deposits in their coasts. These deposits show different sedimentological and paleontological... more
The Rock of Gibraltar is located in a geographic configuration and a geodynamic context that favors the occurrence and preservation of tsunami deposits in their coasts. These deposits show different sedimentological and paleontological features depending on the sedimentary environment exposed to these high-energy events. The aim of this research is to describe the sedimentary record of the historical tsunamis in the Rock, i.e. those originated by the Lisbon earthquake (AD 1755) and the 218-209 BC earthquake, mainly characterized by their high heterogeneity. Three tsunamigenic facies have been differentiated in both the coast and the adjacent marine area of Gibraltar: i) massive, fine to medium sandy facies with reworked microfauna from the nearby Pliocene outcrops, characterized by the presence of vegetation remains to the top, normal grading and mud clast in the bottom, that record the inundation and the fast filling of a coastal lagoon due to erosion of the littoral spit; ii) crev...
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The Last Interglacial is considered the most suitable episode from which to infer patterns of rapid sea-level change since its climatic conditions were similar to those of the present interglacial. However, specifying the true position of... more
The Last Interglacial is considered the most suitable episode from which to infer patterns of rapid sea-level change since its climatic conditions were similar to those of the present interglacial. However, specifying the true position of its sea level with high accuracy is very troublesome in the absence of sedimentological, erosional or even palaeontological markers. This study investigates the morphosedimentary evidence (beach deposits, cliff, notch and shore platform) of two highstands registered and dated during MIS 5 stage by U-series dating in the North of Morocco (Strait of Gibraltar). Bioerosive notches and mixed siliciclastic and carbonate deposits, high energy beaches with algal bioherms, were formed in coastal environments during MIS 5a. A sea-level height of + 10 m asl can be inferred for this substage. The record of MIS 5e substage is less defined in the geomorphological record, consisting of backshore/foreshore deposits located at + 13 to + 15 m asl. A tectonic uplift rate of ~ 0.1 mm/yr has been estimated for the last 130 kyr. These data are consistent with models of coastal uplifting calculated for the Strait of Gibraltar.► Morphosedimentary evidence of MIS 5 highstands are recorded in the North of Morocco. ► Bioerosive features and high-energy beach facies were formed during MIS 5e and MIS 5a. ► A low tectonic uplift rate of 0.1 mm/yr has been estimated for the last 130 kyr. ► A phase of hydro-isostatic subsidence at the end of highstands cannot be rejected. ► Our data are consistent with models of coastal uplifting elaborated for the Strait of Gibraltar.
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Ruiz, F.; Abad, M.; Pozo, M.; Carretero, M.I.; Rodríguez-Vidal, J.; Cáceres, L.M.; Font, E.; González-Regalado, M.L.; Toscano, A.; García, E.X. (2013). Evolución Paleoambiental del sector meridional del Parque Nacional de Doñana desde el... more
Ruiz, F.; Abad, M.; Pozo, M.; Carretero, M.I.; Rodríguez-Vidal, J.; Cáceres, L.M.; Font, E.; González-Regalado, M.L.; Toscano, A.; García, E.X. (2013). Evolución Paleoambiental del sector meridional del Parque Nacional de Doñana desde el Plioceno Inferior a la actualidad. Estudios Geológicos [en línea], manuscrito aceptado, doi: 10.3989/egeol.41072.234
ABSTRACT
The analysis of the geological units and the ostracod assemblages of a long core collected in the southern Doñana National Park (SW Spain) permits to deduce an evolution from shallow marine palaeoenvironments (Lower Pliocene) to a brackish lagoon (Upper Pleistocene-Holocene) and the deposit of aeolian sediments (<1900 yr BP), with an intermediate alluvial stage during the Pleistocene. In the Late Holocene, a tsunamigenic event was detected, with the erosion of aeolian sediments and a subsequent deposit on subtidal environments.
RESUMEN
El estudio de los materiales geológicos y las asociaciones de ostrácodos presentes en un testigo largo obtenido en el sur del Parque Nacional de Doñana (SO de España) permite inferir una evolución paleoambiental desde medios marinos someros (Plioceno Inferior) hasta un lagoon salobre (Pleistoceno Superior-Holoceno) y la implantación de sistemas eólicos (<1.900 años BP), con un estadio intermedio aluvial durante la mayor parte del Pleistoceno. En el Holoceno Superior, se detecta un evento tsunamigénico caracterizado por la erosión de sedimentos eólicos y su depósito sobre medios submareales.
ABSTRACT
The analysis of the geological units and the ostracod assemblages of a long core collected in the southern Doñana National Park (SW Spain) permits to deduce an evolution from shallow marine palaeoenvironments (Lower Pliocene) to a brackish lagoon (Upper Pleistocene-Holocene) and the deposit of aeolian sediments (<1900 yr BP), with an intermediate alluvial stage during the Pleistocene. In the Late Holocene, a tsunamigenic event was detected, with the erosion of aeolian sediments and a subsequent deposit on subtidal environments.
RESUMEN
El estudio de los materiales geológicos y las asociaciones de ostrácodos presentes en un testigo largo obtenido en el sur del Parque Nacional de Doñana (SO de España) permite inferir una evolución paleoambiental desde medios marinos someros (Plioceno Inferior) hasta un lagoon salobre (Pleistoceno Superior-Holoceno) y la implantación de sistemas eólicos (<1.900 años BP), con un estadio intermedio aluvial durante la mayor parte del Pleistoceno. En el Holoceno Superior, se detecta un evento tsunamigénico caracterizado por la erosión de sedimentos eólicos y su depósito sobre medios submareales.