Intervenciones arqueológicas en el yacimiento de Abauntz, Arraitz-Orkin, Valle de Ultzama, campañas de 2022 y 2023

Abstract

In this paper, we present the activities carried out during the archaeological-paleontological field-seasons at Abauntz Cave, Arraitz-Orkin, Ultzama valley, during the years 2022 and 2023. The main goal of the project is to characterize the type and intensity of occupation in the level h, assigned to the Middle Paleolithic, as well as the possible underlying prehistoric levels, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the context and nature of human settlement in that region. These two campaigns have been divided into two phases: A first one was dedicated to the conditioning of the site, floor plan survey, installation of a sediment evacuation system using a zip line, emptying the fill of the excavation in Sala 2, and continuation of the excavation in Sala 1. The second phase was focused on the excavation of the level corresponding to the Middle Paleolithic in Sala 2, the extension of the excavation towards the south, and the continuation of the excavation in Sala 1.