During the 2008-2009 archaeological excavations carried out in the ancient Fábrica de Tabacos (Gijón), a Roman well structure was discovered, covered by a sedimentary infill with archaeological remains. This work deals with the geological and depositional characterization of the sedimentary infill. Two hand drill cores of 1.45 m and 1.65m long were studied, using stratigraphic, geochemical and geochronological techniques. The evolutionary model of the sedimentary infill includes 5 phases: 1) construction and functioning as a well (prior? to 5th-6th centuries); 2) abandonment of the well and sedimentation in a restricted palustrine-like environment (5th-7th centuries); 3) a phase dominated by dumping of organic-rich landfill material (7th century); 4) re-starting of palustrine-like environment with some landfill episodes (7th-8th centuries); and 5) a final phase as a dumping site (at least during the 8th century). The sedimentary infill is an outstanding geoarchaelogical archive that provides key information to improve the knowledge of the region from the 6th to the 8th centuries.

Agradecemos a la empresa Terra Arqueos S.L. su aportación en la realización de los sondeos y al Ayuntamiento de Gijón la financiación de la investigación (proyectos FUO-EM-403-10 y FUO-EM-342-09)

Peer Reviewed