Abstract:

The macroscopic analysis of earth construction remains provides paramount information for the research about Late Prehistory buildings in the Eastern Iberian Peninsula. Nevertheless, macroscopic observations have also some constraints and can be completed with micromorphological analyses of thin-sections. These allow mainly deepening the identification and study of the composition of these earth building materials. Thin-section micromorphology, applied to these archaeological remains, contributes to obtaining a larger amount of data on the collection and transformation of these constructive materials, and even on their installation. Furthermore, this technique can also contribute to the distinction of several postdepositional alterations. The combination of macroscopical and microscopical analyses makes it possible to address the different activities involved in building processes among prehistoric human groups.