Micromorphological study of Early Iron Age floors: the case of Calvari del Molar settlement (Tarragona, Spain)

7th Developing International Geoarchaeology (DIG) Conference

Newcastle. United Kingdom
Conference. 2017

We present a micromorphological study of an archaeological profile of the Early Iron Age in the NE region of Iberia. This profile corresponds to the sector VIII of the archaeological site of Calvari del Molar (Tarragona, Spain) and contains several stratigraphic units identified in the field as basically different floors and a bench.

Through the micromorphological study we have distinguished the two main moments of use of this area. This has been possible thanks to the clear identification of the two floors, with their levels of preparation and even the time of abandonment and filling. These pavements are composed mainly of a yellowish-gray sand groundmass of quartz and calcite with a massive microstructure. These contrasted with the filling moments of the area and with the earthen structures (fragments of constructive elements or the bench). Both components of different sediments which are more clayey and more reddish. With the micromorphological study we have identified components of all stages of the area, from their own flooring, the filling between the two pavements, the level of preparation of the pavement and to characterize the bench. We have also done a study comparing different geologic formations around the site to determine in particular the origin and possible treatment of these sediment layers, included in or used in the preparation of these earthen structures. In short, we present the results of the application of the micromorphology in the study of a protohistoric archaeological site. Overall, we obtain the general interpretation of the archaeological site from its construction and determining what materials and sediments were used, including their use and their destruction, and final filling. We believe these studies, though not very traditional in these time periods in this geographical area, are necessary and with great potential.

Micromorphology. Early Iron Age. Geoarchaeology. Stratigraphy.