Environmental evolution and mid–late Holocene climate events in the Valencia lagoon (Mediterranean coast of Spain)
Integration of geomorphological, stratigraphic, malacological, sedimentological and micropalaeontological techniques and14C dating allows us to characterise the processes and evolution of the coastal barrier–lagoon system of Valencia (Spain), from the middle Holocene to the historical epoch, as well as the responses to global climate events. Four stages are recognised. Phase 1: around 8240 ± 80 cal. yr BP, a brackish lagoon of moderate energy and in restricted environment was formed, with an energy peak that could correspond to the maximum Holocene marine transgression. Dating (8240 ± 80 cal. yr BP) carried out in peat corresponds to a cold cycle and low water levels in inland lakes of the …
Turia river delta and coastal barrier-lagoon of Valencia (Mediterranean coast of Spain): Geomorphological processes and global climate fluctuations since Iberian-Roman times
Abstract Extensive drillings and 31 new C-14 datings were used to establish the geomorphological evolution of the Turia river delta and coastal barrier-lagoon system of Valencia (Spain) over the last three millennia. Integration of geomorphological, stratigraphic, malacological, sedimentological and geoarchaeological data enables us to relate river Turia avulsions and alluvial episodes to the development of coastal spits and barriers. Geomorphological changes in the study area may also be associated with global climate events, sea-level fluctuations or anthropogenic periods in the Turia catchment. Six phases may be differentiated: (1) a major early alluviation phase during the Iberian perio…
Land Use History and Site Formation Processes at the Punic Site of Pauli Stincus in West Central Sardinia
The site of Pauli Stincus is located near the town of Terralba, on the inland shores of the Gulf of Oristano in west central Sardinia, Italy, and was occupied between the mid-4th and the late 2nd century B.C. The site and its surroundings were the object of a joint archaeopedological and geomorphological study, which complemented the data from archaeological excavations. This study allowed us to evaluate the suitability of the different landscape and soil components for crop production in the Punic period. The discovery of a buried plow soil at the site's edge enabled us to identify a set of agricultural practices carried out by Punic farmers. These included the removal of sandy topsoil to …