https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/18 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 22:53:44 GMT 2026-07-24T22:53:44Z https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/3376 Title: A new reference block for field gamma spectrometry applicationsin (ESR) and luminescence dating Authors: Duval, Mathieu; Val Blanco, Miren del; Alonso Escarza, María Jesús; Arnold, L.J.; Demuro, M.; Guilarte, V.; Kumar, R.; Mercier, N.; Schwenninger, J.-L.; Tribolo, C.; López, G.I. Abstract: A new granite-doped concrete block with 60 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm dimensions has been built at CENIEH, Burgos, Spain, for dosimetry calibration and cross-referencing purposes. Independent evaluations of the block's gamma dose rate using passive Al2O3:C dosimeters and various field gamma spectrometer (NaI) probes produce consistent results of 1495 $\pm$ 51 $\mu$Gy a-1 and 1514 $\pm$ 43 $\mu$Gy a-1 (or 1537 $\pm$ 19 $\mu$Gy a-1, depending on the evaluation procedure employed), respectively. Bulk radioelement concentrations calculated from field gamma spectrometry using the Windows method are as follows: K = 1.58 $\pm$ 0.08 \%, U = 4.26 $\pm$ 0.28 ppm, and Th = 12.62 $\pm$ 0.72 ppm. This new block complements existing dosimetry reference materials accessible at other laboratories and is available for the broader trapped charge dating community to use for instrument calibration, reproducibility assessments and intercomparison studies. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/3376 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/3038 Title: Reconstructing depositional environments through cave interior facies: The case of Galería Complex (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain) Authors: Campaña Lozano, Isidoro; Benito-Calvo, Alfonso; Pérez-González, Alfredo; Ortega Martínez, Ana Isabel; Álvaro Gallo, Ana; Miguens Rodríguez, Leticia; Iglesias Cibanal, Javier; Bermúdez de Castro, José María; Carbonell, Eudald Abstract: This work showed that cave sediments are useful for geomorphologic studies and for reconstructing depositional environments. While the cave entrance facies have been extensively studied for their relationship with the fossil and archaeological record, the cave interior facies have received much less attention, although they can provide much information on the geomorphological evolution of the karst. This work presents the stratigraphic and sedimentological study of a section >6 m thick and 10 m long of cave interior sediments of Galería Complex (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain). Galería Complex is a cavity infill of the Sierra de Atapuerca (Spain), composed of three sections filled by at least 30 m of Pleistocene sediments. This sequence is divided into 5 lithostratigraphic units named from bottom to top: GI – GV. GI unit is 19 m thick of interior facies in the base of the Galería Complex, divided into two sub-unit, GIa and GIb, by the Matuyama-Bruhnes paleomagnetic boundary. GI unit shows an issue with the chronology since has uncoherent between TT-OSL and ESR/U-series and paleomagnetism dates. This work has been done by combining field observation with laboratory sedimentary analysis to characterize the texture and structure of the sediments. Based on these studies, 12 layers and 9 sedimentary facies have been identified. The facies associations indicate a clear separation between GIa and GIb sub-units. GIa sub-unit is dominated by epiphreatic conditions and represents continuous relativity sedimentation during the Early Pleistocene; meanwhile, GIb shows important erosion events and facies with reworked materials that indicate vadose conditions during the Middle Pleistocene. This environmental change is related to the geomorphological evolution of the Arlanzón River. In addition, soft-sediment deformation structures have been described, including faults and low-angle folds. An important leaching process has been identified by the presence of phosphates that could explain the underestimated ages obtained in other works. Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/3038 2023-11-01T00:00:00Z https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/2820 Title: Revision of TD1 and TD2 stratigraphic sequence of Gran Dolina cave (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain) Authors: Campaña Lozano, Isidoro; Benito-Calvo, Alfonso; Pérez-González, Alfredo; Álvaro Gallo, Ana; Miguens Rodríguez, Leticia; Iglesias Cibanal, Javier; Bermúdez de Castro, José María; Carbonell, Eudald Abstract: Gran Dolina is a cavity infilled by at least 25 m of Pleistocene sediments divided into 12 lithostratigraphic units and 19 sedimentary facies. These sedimentary facies have been divided into allochthonous facies, defined as sediment inputs from the outside, and autochthonous facies, defined as sediments generated within the karst; but this division has been challenged in recent works. In this study, TD1 and TD2 units of Gran Dolina have been detailed studied and the use of autochthonous facies has been assessed. For that purpose, we have studied the stratigraphic excavation profile, combining field observation with laboratory sedimentary analysis (sieving, laser diffraction, and XRD) to characterize the texture and structure of the sediments. Based on these studies, a total of 8 sedimentary facies have been identified. Consequently, TD1 unit has been separated into two sub-units and 13 layers, while the TD2 unit has been divided into three sub-units. The facies associations indicate a succession of phreatic and vadose phases that would define together epiphreatic conditions inside the cave, related to the transition between Arlanzón valley terraces T3 and T4. Interior facies (and entrance facies for allochthonous facies) is proposed to define Gran Dolina's sediments since the facies analyses indicate transport by underground flows. Thu, 01 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/2820 2022-12-01T00:00:00Z https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/2540 Title: Taxonomy, taphonomy and chronology of the Pleistocene faunal assemblage at Ngalau Gupin Cave, Sumatra Authors: Smith, Holly Ellen; Price, Gilbert J.; Duval, Mathieu; Westaway, Kira E.; Zaim, Jahdi; Rizal, Yan; Aswan, Aswan; Puspaningrum, Mika R.; Trihascaryo, Agus; Stewart, Mathew; Louys, Julien Abstract: Ngalau Gupin is a broad karstic cave system in the Padang Highlands of western Sumatra, Indonesia. Abundant fossils, consisting of mostly isolated teeth from small-to large-sized animals, were recovered from breccias cemented on the cave walls and unconsolidated sediments on the cave floor. Two loci on the walls and floors of Ngalau Gupin, named NG-A and NG-B respectively, are studied. We determine that NG-B most likely formed as a result of the erosion and redeposition of material from NG-A. The collection reveals a rich, diverse Pleistocene faunal assemblage (Proboscidea, Primates, Rodentia, Artiodactyla, Perissodactyla, Carnivora) largely analogous to extant fauna in the modern rainforests of Sumatra. The hippopotamid Hexaprotodon represents the only globally extinct taxon in deposits from Sumatra and the first record of this animal from the island. This fossil assemblage is dated using combined U-series/ESR dating analyses of several teeth that yield a finite age of between ~160 and ~115 ka, depending on the modalities of the dose rate evaluation. Moreover, a direct U-series age estimate of ~70 ka is obtained on the Hexaprotodon specimen, providing a minimum age constraint for the fossil that is compatible with the combined U-series/ESR results. These results suggest that the faunal assemblage at Ngalau Gupin correlates with late MIS 6 or early MIS 5. Ngalau Gupin likely reflects the formation of a fossil assemblage with two primary taphonomic pathways: a prime-aged dominated macrofauna component initially produced by carnivores but subsequently accumulated by porcupines and transported to the cave, and a microfauna component likely accumulated by small carnivores. Decalcification of the cemented deposit has further resulted in loss of fossil and other sedimentary material. This site adds important new chronologically constrained fossil mammal data for the Pleistocene record of Sumatra, an island relatively poorly investigated for Southeast Asia. Mon, 01 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/2540 2021-11-01T00:00:00Z