Interdisciplinary methodology for the characterisation of a temporary paleo-wetland in loma de Úbeda (Jaén, Spain)

ABSTRACT

Paleo-wetlands have fragmented in archaeological times associated with human stressors. We present an interdisciplinary analysis of a past temporary paleo-wetland located at an important junction between the valleys of the Rivers Guadalquivir and Guadalimar in the province of Jaén (Eastern Andalusia, Spain). We applied a high-resolution protocol to identify the paleo-wetland used for ritual purposes during the Iron Age. Based on archaeological excavations and analyses (soil micromorphology, pollen and phytoliths analyses, optically stimulated luminescence [OSL] datings, and other techniques), we found a palaeosoil formed in a wetland environment active during the Late Holocene, dating back to the 9th century AD.

KEYWORDS:

• archaeological analysis
• phytolith analysis
• pollen analysis
• ritual landscapes
• soil micromorphology

Acknowledgements

We thank Francisco Guerrero, Gema Parra, and Fernando Ortega from the Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology Department of the University of Jaén for their interest in this methodological trial and for their suggestions that made a valuable contribution. Comments from reviewers helped to improve the manuscript. OSL dating analyses were carried out by Jorge Sanjurjo Sánchez from the Instituto Universitario de Xeoloxía Isidro Parga Pondal, Universidad Da Coruña.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Funding

We are thankful for the support received from the “Ramón y Cajal” Sub-programme (RYC-2017-22122) funded by Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain (MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033) and by the European Union (European Social Fund. FSE) to CRG; and from the Juan de la Cierva-Formación Sub-programme (FJC2019-041335-I) funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain (MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) and by the European Union (NextGenerationEU/PRTR) to MG-R; and the following Research Projects: P20-00301/UJA; RTI2018-101714-B-I00; P18-RT-4963; B-RNM-404-UGR18.