Dating and correlation of early human occupation in the Baza Formation (Guadix-Baza Basin, SE Spain)

The magnetostratigraphic and paleontologic studies carried out in the sections of Fuente Nueva and Cortes de Baza-Cúllar in the Guadix-Baza Basin (SE Spain) have enabled an accurate calibration of the early-middle Pleistocene sites of this basin and their correlation with other early Paleolithic localities in the Mediterranean area (Atapuerca, Le Vallonet, Isernia, Ubeidiya). The paleontological record (rodents) in the Cortes de Baza section indicates an age ranging from the earliest Pleistocene (latest Villanyian or early Biharian) to the late early Pleistocene (late Biharian). The whole Cortes de Baza Section is placed in a reverse magnetic interval identified as the upper part of the Matuyama chron. This datum confirms an upper Matuyama, pre-Bruhnes age for the archaeological site of Fuente Nueva 3. Also in the Guadix-Baza Basin, the section of Cúllar Baza, where the Middle Pleistocene (early Toringian) paleontologiucal and archaeological site of Cúllar-Baza 1 is placed, has been extended to the early Pleistocene (late Biharian). Thus, the locality of Cúllar-Baza B is placed in a reversed magnetozone correlated with the uppermost Matuyama, while the locality of Cúllar-Baza C is placed in a normal magnetozone correlated to the lower Bruhnes epoch. Therefore, the site of Cúllar Baza 1 falls well within the Bruhnes epoch. This result is consistent with what is found in other early-middle Pleistocene sections of Spain (Atapuerca Gran Dolina) but is in contrast with the upper Matuyama age initially given for the Paleolithic site of Isernia.