RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 The hearth of the matter: A high-resolution magnetic microarchaeological study of a Neanderthal combustion feature utilizing Quantum Diamond Microscopy
A1 Dinçkal, Ada
A1 Feinberg, Joshua M.
A1 Herrejón Lagunilla, Ángela
A1 Papavasiliou, Dimitri
A1 Carrancho Alonso, Ángel
A1 Hernández Gómez, Cristo M.
A1 Mallol, Carolina
K1 Geoarchaeology
K1 Paleolithic fires
K1 Archaeomagnetism
K1 Archaeological science
K1 Archaeological methodology
K1 Soil science
K1 Geoscience methodology
K1 Geoarqueología
K1 Archaeological geology
AB This study presents an integrative geoarchaeological and microarchaeological case study of combustion features,employing a multi-method analytical approach incorporating archaeomagnetic, rock magnetic, and soil micromorphologicalmethods, alongside Quantum Diamond Microscopy (QDM). The case study focuses on a combustionfeature from the Middle Palaeolithic site of El Salt (80 to 45.2ka). The primary aim is to reconstruct thedepositional and post-depositional history of this combustion feature, identifying human activities and environmentalprocesses using high-resolution magnetic and micromorphological data.The combustion feature H89/90 was studied as part of the research into a large palimpsest of combustionfeatures located within Unit XI. Archaeomagnetic and rock magnetic microarchaeological analyses of the combustionfeature demonstrates that it is relatively well-preserved and in situ. This integrative approach revealsclear evidence of anthropogenic behaviours, including hearth maintenance, the use of grass-based fuels, andpotentially the active sustaining of fire through the successive addition of these fuels. Furthermore, the studyhighlights maghemite as the primary magnetic carrier within the combustion feature. This mineral is notcommonly reported as a dominant magnetic phase in archaeological hearths. Its presence suggests either previouslyunrecognized burning conditions, microenvironmental factors unique to this feature, or a broader need toimprove the resolution at which hearth mineralogy is studied.These interpretations are possible through high-resolution rock magnetic analysis, enhanced by QDM'smicrometer-scale magnetic field mapping. Representing the first known application of QDM in archaeologicalscience, this method allows researchers to visualize internal magnetic fabrics directly within thin sections,enabling the identification of specific microfacies and magnetic structures that are typically invisible to traditionalmicromorphological analysis. As a result, this method not only deepens our understanding of the magneticarchitecture of the hearth but also strengthens behavioural interpretations of its formation and use. Overall, thestudy demonstrates the value of a deeply integrated magnetic microarchaeological approach for investigatinghuman behaviour associated with fire use.
PB Elsevier
SN 0305-4403
YR 2026
FD 2026-06
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10259/12210
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10259/12210
LA eng
NO This work was supported by the Municipality of Alcoy, Spanish Government projects HAR2015- 68321-P (MINECO FEDER/UE) and PID2023-150177NB-I0, and a Spanish Government FPI predoctoral grant to A.D. Á.C. acknowledges the project PID2024-159094NB-I00, funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ERDF, EU) and the project BU037P23 of Junta de Castilla y León and the European Regional Development Fund.A. H-L also acknowledges a post-doctoral contract associated with the latter project and a Margarita Salas post-doctoral contract (2022-2024; Spanish Ministry of Universities; European Union-NextGenerationEU).
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Burgos
RD 01-oct-2026