Breaking the palimpsest: an approach to the cultural sequence of Neanderthal occupation at the Navalmaíllo Rockshelter, Pinilla del Valle (Spain)

Abstract

The Navalmaíllo site is a karstic rockshelter located in a mountain environment near the Lozoya river. The location of the site allows for the close monitoring of the surrounding area, for following the migrations of animals and for the temporary residence of human groups. The difficulties associated with estimating the time span of occupational processes at archaeological sites raise the problem of the synchrony and diachrony of occupations that form palimpsests. Archaeostratigraphy has revealed the integrity of the sedimentary deposit, how it has been affected by both natural agents (falling boulders and the conservation of the site) and human agents (the excavation method). The deformation of the plastic deposit is reflected in the archaeostratigraphy, but the two periods of occupation identified have been preserved and were not largely affected. The archaeostratigraphic approach has resulted in the identification of some of the taphosedimentary aspects of Layer F and in the deciphering of the cultural palimpsest, establishing the cultural sequence of occupations at the Navalmaíllo site.