A cautionary tale from the Adriatic Palaeolithic: reassessing the stratigraphic reliability of Šandalja II cave (Istria, Croatia)

Authors: Ruiz-Redondo, A., Vander Linden, M., Radović, S., Karavanić, I. and Vukosavljević, N.

Journal: Comptes Rendus - Palevol

Volume: 23

Issue: 15

Pages: 197-210

eISSN: 1777-571X

ISSN: 1631-0683

DOI: 10.5852/CR-PALEVOL2024V23A15

Abstract:

Šandalja II has been a reference site for numerous decades for the definition and study of the Eastern Adriatic Upper Palaeolithic and corresponding techno-complexes. This is due both to its extensive material record, and the purported presence of some otherwise elusive techno-complexes in the area, such as the Aurignacian and the Early Epigravettian. In this paper, we present two new series of C14-AMS dates (from layers H, E, C/d and A/d) to assess the validity of its archaeological sequence, together with previously obtained radiocarbon dates, both AMS and conventional. The results show, unambiguously, the lack of reliability of the stratigraphy defined for the site during the excavation. A simple chronometric deconstruction reveals, at the very least, that the assemblages from Šandalja II can no longer be considered and used as an example of the diachronic evolution within the Aurignacian and Epigravettian of the Eastern Adriatic, thus calling for a further reevaluation of features defined for the Adriatic Upper Palaeolithic on the basis on the assemblages from Šandalja II. Hence Šandalja II joins an increasing list of so-called reference sites which must not be considered as “referential” anymore.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/39747/

Source: Scopus

A cautionary tale from the Adriatic Palaeolithic: reassessing the stratigraphic reliability of Sandalja II cave (Istria, Croatia)

Authors: Ruiz-Redondo, A., Vander Linden, M., Radovic, S., Karavanic, I. and Vukosavljevic, N.

Journal: COMPTES RENDUS PALEVOL

Volume: 23

Issue: 15

Pages: 197-210

eISSN: 1777-571X

ISSN: 1631-0683

DOI: 10.5852/cr-palevol2024v23a15

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/39747/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

A cautionary tale from the Adriatic Palaeolithic: reassessing the stratigraphic reliability of Sandalja II cave (Istria, Croatia)

Authors: Ruiz-Redondo, A., Vander Linden, M., Radovic, S., Karavanic, I. and Vukosavljevic, N.

Journal: Comptes Rendus Palevol

Volume: 23

Issue: 15

Pages: 197-210

ISSN: 1631-0683

Abstract:

Šandalja II has been a reference site for numerous decades for the definition and study of the Eastern Adriatic Upper Palaeolithic and corresponding techno-complexes. This is due both to its extensive material record, and the purported presence of some otherwise elusive techno-complexes in the area, such as the Aurignacian and the Early Epigravettian. In this paper, we present two new series of C14-AMS dates (from layers H, E, C/d and A/d) to assess the validity of its archaeological sequence, together with previously obtained radiocarbon dates, both AMS and conventional. The results show, unambiguously, the lack of reliability of the stratigraphy defined for the site during the excavation. A simple chronometric deconstruction reveals, at the very least, that the assemblages from Šandalja II can no longer be considered and used as an example of the diachronic evolution within the Aurignacian and Epigravettian of the Eastern Adriatic, thus calling for a further reevaluation of features defined for the Adriatic Upper Palaeolithic on the basis on the assemblages from Šandalja II. Hence Šandalja II joins an increasing list of so-called reference sites which must not be considered as “referential” anymore.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/39747/

Source: BURO EPrints