Pleistocene geodynamic evolution of the Arlanzón valley: implications for the formation of the endokarst system and the open air archaeological sites of the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, España)

A new analysis of the Arlanzón valley's Pleistocene geodynamic evolution reveals that tectonic uplift accelerated incision rates, shaping the valley's fluvial terraces and influencing the formation of sub-horizontal cave levels in the Sierra de Atapuerca. This study links three key cave levels (T2, T3, and T4/T5) to specific terrace elevations, suggesting rapid phreatic passage development compared to slower vadose entrenchments. The research also highlights how the exhumation of a Neogene limestone layer provided Neanderthals with accessible flint sources during MIS 3 and 4. By integrating LiDAR-derived terrace heights and chronological data, the study reconstructs downcutting phases, offering insights into the valley's complex geological history and its archaeological significance.

Benito-Calvo, A., Ortega, A. I., Navazo, M., Moreno, D., Pérez-González, A., Parés, J. M., Bermúdez de Castro, J. M., & Carbonell, E. (2024). Pleistocene geodynamic evolution of the Arlanzón valley: implications for the formation of the endokarst system and the open air archaeological sites of the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, España). Boletín Geológico Y Minero, 129(1-2), 59–82. https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin.129.1.003