Preparación paleontológica y discusión sobre la asignación taxonómica de un cráneo de bóvido (Bovidae, Mammalia) procedente del sector “Cubil” de Cueva Des-Cubierta (Pinilla del Valle, Madrid)
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2021
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2021
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En el yacimiento de la Cueva-Des Cubierta, situado en un complejo kárstico en el valle alto del Lozoya (Pinilla del Valle, Madrid), se encuentran los depósitos que componen la secuencia sedimentaria del sector denominado “Cubil”, de origen fluvial, cuya posición estratigráfica y altimétrica respecto al cauce actual del río Lozoya se puede relacionar cronológicamente con las terrazas del Pleistoceno Medio. Los sedimentos de este sector contienen restos de macro y microvertebrados. Aunque su contenido paleontológico está todavía en fase de estudio, algunos indicios sugieren que la acumulación inicial de los restos de grandes mamíferos fue debida a la actividad de las hienas, y que posteriormente la concentración original pudo ser en parte reestructurada por corrientes de agua de baja energía (resedimentación).
En 2020 se recuperó un cráneo de bóvido en el nivel C de este sector. La preparación paleontológica del mismo ha permitido su estudio morfológico y osteométrico con propósitos taxononómicos. Las alteraciones tafonómicas que se observan en el cráneo y la gran variabilidad morfológica y biométrica reconocida dentro del género Bison, comprometen la validez de los caracteres apreciables para sustentar una identificación taxonómica de nivel específico hasta poseer mayores evidencias para poder comparar los datos con una colección de restos craneales de bisonte de cronología similar.
In the site of Cueva-Des Cuvierta, located in a karst complex in the upper valley of the Lozoya River (Pinilla del Valle, Madrid), it is found the deposits that make up the sedimentary sequence of the sector called “Cubil”, of fluvial origin. Stratigraphic and altimetric position of “Cubil” respect to the current channel of the Lozoya River, can be chronologically related to the Middle Pleistocene terraces. The sediments in this sector contain the remains of macro and microvertebrates. Although its paleontological content is still under study, some indications suggest that the initial accumulation of recovered large mammal’s bones was due to the activity of hyenas, and later the original concentration could be partly restructured by low water currents energy (re-sedimentation). In 2020, a bovid skull was recovered at level C in this sector. The paleontological preparation has allowed the morphological and osteometric study of the skull for taxonomic purposes. The taphonomic alterations observed in the skull and the great morphological and biometric variability recognized within the genus Bison, compromise the validity of the appreciable characters to support a specific level taxonomic identification until we have more evidence to compare the data with a collection of bison skulls remains of a similar chronology.
In the site of Cueva-Des Cuvierta, located in a karst complex in the upper valley of the Lozoya River (Pinilla del Valle, Madrid), it is found the deposits that make up the sedimentary sequence of the sector called “Cubil”, of fluvial origin. Stratigraphic and altimetric position of “Cubil” respect to the current channel of the Lozoya River, can be chronologically related to the Middle Pleistocene terraces. The sediments in this sector contain the remains of macro and microvertebrates. Although its paleontological content is still under study, some indications suggest that the initial accumulation of recovered large mammal’s bones was due to the activity of hyenas, and later the original concentration could be partly restructured by low water currents energy (re-sedimentation). In 2020, a bovid skull was recovered at level C in this sector. The paleontological preparation has allowed the morphological and osteometric study of the skull for taxonomic purposes. The taphonomic alterations observed in the skull and the great morphological and biometric variability recognized within the genus Bison, compromise the validity of the appreciable characters to support a specific level taxonomic identification until we have more evidence to compare the data with a collection of bison skulls remains of a similar chronology.