https://hdl.handle.net/10259/10324 Mon, 25 May 2026 07:30:25 GMT 2026-05-25T07:30:25Z https://hdl.handle.net/10259/10326 On the Suitability of Prehistoric Anthropogenic Burnt Sediments (Fumiers) for Archeomagnetic Studies at El Mirador Cave (Burgos, Spain) Herrejón Lagunilla, Ángela; Carrancho Alonso, Ángel; Villalaín Santamaria, Juan José The analysis of the magnetic record of burnt archeological materials provides valuable information of both chronological and geophysical interest. Archeomagnetic studies carried out on independently well-dated materials allow to obtain data in order to improve and temporally extend the reference curves of the variations of the Earth’s magnetic field (EMF) at regional scale (the phenomenon called “secular variation”, SV). These curves, which mainly cover the last 2–3 millennia, can be used to carry out the archeomagnetic dating. Recent research on combustion episodes from mid-late Holocene European anthropogenic cave sequences (cf. fumiers) has revealed their suitability to obtain new directional data for temporal periods poorly covered in the reference SV curves or geomagnetic field models. El Mirador cave is an ideal site for this aim. Here we present the archeomagnetic study of 5 Holocene combustion episodes from El Mirador cave. Sampling technique is discussed and the new directional results along with a comprehensive study of their magnetic properties are assessed in connection with the previous published data. Furthermore, potential and limits of these materials to improve the archeomagnetic dating technique for the Late Prehistory are also discussed. Sat, 01 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10259/10326 2022-10-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10259/10325 The Fumier Sequences of El Mirador: An Approach to Fire as a Sociocultural Practice and Taphonomic Agent Burguet-Coca, Aitor .; Del Valle, Héctor; Expósito, Isabel .; Herrejón Lagunilla, Ángela; Buitkute, Erika; Cáceres, Isabel .; Carrancho Alonso, Ángel; Villalaín Santamaria, Juan José Fumier sequences play a primary role in the study of livestock management and the use of space in prehistoric pastoralist societies. These sequences are formed when dung accumulated in sheepfold caves and rock shelters is burnt, resulting in an overlapping of burnt and unburnt sedimentary layers. Thus, fire is a key taphonomic agent in the formation and alteration of fumier sequences. The characteristics, functions, and management of burning events influence the preservation of the macro- and micro-remains potentially biasing the interpretation of the archeological record. Therefore, it is important to understand the taphonomic effects of fire in fumier sequences. In this chapter, we use a multi-scalar and interdisciplinary approach to the study of burning events at El Mirador cave. We analyzed the phytolith, fecal spherulites, pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs (NPP), and parasite remains in the fumier sequence, together with the mineral (FTIR) and magnetic properties of the sediments. In addition, we studied the effects of fire on the macrofaunal assemblages. The results obtained here provide the basis for a tapho-diagenetic framework that illustrates robustly the formation dynamics of the El Mirador fumier sequences. Sat, 01 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10259/10325 2022-10-01T00:00:00Z