Last Interglacial–Glacial sequence of palaeosols and calcareous slope deposits at Verteuil (Charente, southwest France)

• Published in: Journal of quaternary science 2023-11, Vol.38 (8), p.1321-1336
• Main Authors: Puyrigaud, Jules, Bertran, Pascal, Lebrun, Brice, Lahaye, Christelle, Guerin, Guillaume, Limondin‐Lozouet, Nicole
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anthropogenic factors; Archaeology and Prehistory; Deposits; Earth Sciences; Geochemistry; Ground squirrels; Humanities and Social Sciences; Sciences of the Universe; Slopes; Solifluction
• ISSN: 0267-8179; 1099-1417
• DOI: 10.1002/jqs.3538

The 12 m thick sequence of calcareous slope deposits and palaeosols exposed in a quarry at Verteuil (southwest France) has been studied and dated by optically stimulated luminescence. Emphasis was given to the identification and characterisation of palaeosols through geochemistry and micromorphology. The main clastic units, separated by major unconformities, were dated to MIS 6, MIS 5–4 and MIS 3–2. Stratified deposits (‘grèzes litées’), consisting of alternating diamictic and matrix‐free clastic beds and attributed to stacked stone‐banked solifluction lobes, developed mainly after ca . 40 ka, i.e. during late MIS 3 and MIS 2. MIS 3 is recorded as a palaeosol complex including two humic A horizons overlying a chromic cambisol associated with burrows of ground squirrels, while MIS 5 corresponds to a reworked rubified chromic cambisol. Overall, this sequence shows similarities with the clastic deposits found in regional cave porches and rock shelters, strongly suggesting that anthropogenic activities did not significantly modify the climate‐driven sedimentary and soil‐forming processes at the Palaeolithic sites.