Diego Herrero-Alonso
Biographic Data
| ID | 903414 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Diego Herrero-Alonso |
| GIVEN NAMES | Diego |
| FAMILY NAME | Herrero-Alonso |
| SIGNATURE | HERRERO-ALONSO D |
| AFFILIATIONS | Universidade de Vigo |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-9013-0092 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 21 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 37 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 21 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2016 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Technological variability and raw material procurement in the Cantabrian Lower Magdalenian: Level G1 at El Cierro Cave (Ribadesella, Asturias, Spain)
This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the lithic assemblage from Level G1 of El Cierro Cave (northern Spain), attributed to the Cantabrian Lower Magdalenian. The study comprises 2,829 items, including 2,800 knapped artefacts, six macrolithic tools and 23 unmodified pebbles. Lithic procurement is dominated by flint, followed by quartzite and minor amounts of quartz. Eleven flint types have been identified, with local raw materials prevai…
Characterisation and prehistoric distribution of Piedramuelle flint in the Cantabrian region
Archaeological Lithotheques of Siliceous Rocks in Spain: First Diagnosis of the Lithotheque Thematic Network
The use of lithotheques, libraries or collections of rocks is relatively recent in archaeological research in Spain. These collections have mostly been formed through isolated initiatives in different institutions, without any scientific strategy to guide their development and growth. The perspective in the last few years has changed substantially as these infrastructures are now regarded as a scientific resource of great interest and potential i…
Neanderthal mobility over very long distances: The case of El Castillo cave (northern Spain) and the 'Vasconian' Mousterian
This study explores the mobility and raw material circulation of Neanderthals at the El Castillo cave, located in the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula, with a particular focus on flint. The levels analyzed (XXab-XXf1.1) date between 45 and 70 ka BP, corresponding to the Mousterian period and, in some cases, to the Vasconian facies. Most of the flint varieties are of local origin ( 250 km). These findings provide insights into patterns of li…
Changes in lithic raw material and technological management during the Mesolithic: A view from El Mazo (Northern Iberia)
This study investigates the lithic industry at the Mesolithic shell midden site of El Mazo (Andrín, Asturias), on the Asturian coastline in Northern Iberia, focusing on resource management, production strategies, and mobility patterns of the last hunter-gatherer-fishers. El Mazo provides a unique opportunity to examine lithic resource use across the Early-Middle Holocene transition, with a particular emphasis on the dynamic of the 8.2 ka climate …
La conquista romana de la zona central cantábrica. El caso de la Peña del Castro (La Ercina, León, España), nuevos aportes para su conocimiento
La Peña del Castro had a long occupation that would begin in the tenth century BC until the Change of Era when the settlement was abandoned and destroyed. From the typological and stratigraphic study of the materials and structures exhumed at the site, we have analyzedthe causes that led to this tragic end. In addition to the violent destruction of the site, a later military occupation has been identified, which could be related to a strategy of …
La arquitectura de la Edad del Hierro en la zona cantábrica. El caso de La Peña del Castro (La Ercina, León)
Los trabajos arqueológicos realizados en La Peña del Castro han sacado a la luz un poblado ocupado desde la Primera Edad del Hierro hasta el cambio de Era. La destrucción violenta del asentamiento durante la conquista romana ha permitido documentar de manera excepcional la última fase de ocupación, comprendida entre los siglos ii- i a. C. Gracias a los derrumbes y al incendio que arrasó el poblado, se han conservado elementos estructurales de mad…
Raw Materials and Lithic Production During the Early Magdalenian in Cantabrian Spain: Cova Rosa (Ribadesella, Asturias)
The lithic assemblage studied here comes from Cova Rosa, one of the main Upper Palaeolithic sites in Asturias (northern Spain). The remains were found in Layer B5, which was excavated by F. Jordá Cerdá and A. Gómez Fuentes in 1978 and are associated with an osseous assemblage and archaeozoological remains. This occupation has been dated by radiocarbon to about 16,400 BP ( ca . 19.8–19.6 ka cal BP), corresponding to Archaic/Lower Magdalenian. The …
VNIR-SWIR reflectance spectroscopy as a nondestructive technique for compositional determination of archaeological talc samples with a machine learning approach
The material from which an archaeological piece is made provides a great deal of information regarding the society in which it was made; thus, any misidentification can lead to erroneous conclusions. The uniqueness of many of these pieces hinders their mineralogical analysis because the pieces cannot be damaged for sampling; therefore, errors in the classification of these materials are common. In the present study, we evaluate the suitability of…
An overview of the Mesolithic in the northwest Atlantic and inland area of the Iberian Peninsula
This paper reviews the Mesolithic in the northwest Atlantic and inland area of the Iberian Peninsula and it is considered in the overall context of the rest of the Peninsula. The Cantabrian Mountains are the northern boundary of the study area, which excludes the adjoining coastal area. In addition to the geographical, geological and environmental settings, the chronology and human remains are also reviewed, paying special attention to the specif…
The Neolithic Flint Quarry of Pozarrate (Treviño, Northern Spain)
In this work, we present the preliminary data we have obtained in the Neolithic flint quarry of Pozarrate, currently under archaeological works. We want to put forward an update about the sedimentary fillings of one of the crescent-shaped dump quarries (6000–5600 BP). It is located at the Sierra de Araico-Cucho (Treviño, northern Spain). In this region, Tertiary carbonated terrains which host important silicifications called Treviño flint (Tarriñ…
Determination of lithic raw materials in Cantabrian Spain during Greenland Stadial 2: The Magdalenian of Tito Bustillo Cave (Ribadesella, Asturias)
The lithic assemblage studied here comes from the space known as the ' Area de Estancia in Tito Bustillo Cave (Ribadesella, Asturias, Spain), a representative Magdalenian site. The remains were found in Sub-level 1c2 in the Lower Complex (1LC), which was excavated by J.A. Moure Romanillo from 1981 to 1983 and is associated with abundant evidence of osseous industry, fauna, portable art, etc. The present study is especially innovative because it i…
Las implicaciones del desarrollo de la agricultura durante la Edad del Hierro en el norte de la península ibérica: El caso de la Peña del Castro (La Ercina, León, España)
Los trabajos arqueológicos realizados en la Peña del Castro documentaron cuatro fases de ocupación en este poblado desde la I Edad del Hierro hasta el Imperio Romano. El presente trabajo analiza la relevancia de la agricultura durante la tercera fase, desarrollada entre los siglos II-I a. C. De la misma se conservan carbonizados diferentes restos carpológicos junto a un completo conjunto de herramientas agropecuarias y molinos. Se han evaluado lo…
Local-regional raw material procurement in the "Mesolithic with geometrics" south of the Picos de Europa (Cantabrian Mountains, Spain)
In this work we have analysed the provenance of the lithic raw materials recovered during the excavation campaigns at two Mesolithic sites of the Cantabrian Mountains: La Uña (levels III and IV) and El Espertín (level II). From the data obtained, differences between the two deposits and their levels have been observed, with sourcing of very similar lithic resources, but with important differences in the percentages. In the case of El Espertín the…
Lithic Production in the Final Mesolithic in the Cantabrian Mountains: Levels III and IV at La Uña Cave (León, N Spain)
The lithic operational chains at the Mesolithic site of La Uña (León, N Spain) have been analysed and reconstructed through a joint study of the raw material provenance and technological characteristics of the assemblage. Differences in the management of each raw material have been observed, and three degrees of integrity of the chaîne opératoire (complete, incomplete and broken) have been differentiated. In addition, two main production targets …
Black chert and radiolarite: Knappable lithic raw materials in the prehistory of the Cantabrian Mountains (North Spain)
Management of lithic raw materials in the “Mesolithic with geometrics” (Northern of Iberian Peninsula): Chaînes opératoires and territory
LegioLit: Knappable material lithotheque in the Prehistory Laboratory at the University of León, Spain
This work introduces a comparative collection located in the Prehistory Laboratory at the University of León (Spain) specialised in knappable raw materials, mainly comprising radiolarite and black chert (micro-crypto crystalline quartz), from the western Cantabrian Mountains (north of Iberian Peninsula). A standardised protocol of sample collection and data organisation was developed, which includes the use of several methodologies. First, Geogra…
The Escalada Formation: Characterization of a potential chert supply source in the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain) during prehistory
A study of the chert nodules found in the Escalada Formation (Carboniferous, Ponga region, Cantabrian Zone) was carried out as a means to characterise a number of lithic raw materials found in several prehistoric sites of the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain). This study comprises fieldwork aimed at locating the outcrops and obtaining samples. Some selected samples from two localities were used for both petrological (macroscopic and microscopic ana…
Chert from the Vegamián Formation: A new raw-material supply source in the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain) during prehistory
This work provides the keys to the mineralogical and geochemical characterization of black chert from the Vegamián Fm. This formation crops out throughout the whole of the Cantabrian Zone (of Palaeozoic age), one of the geological zones of the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain). The geographical distribution of this formation is very wide, surfacing in the provinces of León, Asturias, Palencia and Cantabria.This variety of chert had been included wi…
The Mesolithic with geometrics south of the ‘Picos de Europa’ (Northern Iberian Peninsula): The main characteristics of the lithic industry and raw material procurement
Black chert and radiolarite: Knappable lithic raw materials in the prehistory of the Cantabrian Mountains (North Spain)
Management of lithic raw materials in the “Mesolithic with geometrics” (Northern of Iberian Peninsula): Chaînes opératoires and territory
LegioLit: Knappable material lithotheque in the Prehistory Laboratory at the University of León, Spain
This work introduces a comparative collection located in the Prehistory Laboratory at the University of León (Spain) specialised in knappable raw materials, mainly comprising radiolarite and black chert (micro-crypto crystalline quartz), from the western Cantabrian Mountains (north of Iberian Peninsula). A standardised protocol of sample collection and data organisation was developed, which includes the use of several methodologies. First, Geogra…
Lithic Production in the Final Mesolithic in the Cantabrian Mountains: Levels III and IV at La Uña Cave (León, N Spain)
The lithic operational chains at the Mesolithic site of La Uña (León, N Spain) have been analysed and reconstructed through a joint study of the raw material provenance and technological characteristics of the assemblage. Differences in the management of each raw material have been observed, and three degrees of integrity of the chaîne opératoire (complete, incomplete and broken) have been differentiated. In addition, two main production targets …
Las implicaciones del desarrollo de la agricultura durante la Edad del Hierro en el norte de la península ibérica: El caso de la Peña del Castro (La Ercina, León, España)
Los trabajos arqueológicos realizados en la Peña del Castro documentaron cuatro fases de ocupación en este poblado desde la I Edad del Hierro hasta el Imperio Romano. El presente trabajo analiza la relevancia de la agricultura durante la tercera fase, desarrollada entre los siglos II-I a. C. De la misma se conservan carbonizados diferentes restos carpológicos junto a un completo conjunto de herramientas agropecuarias y molinos. Se han evaluado lo…
Neanderthal mobility over very long distances: The case of El Castillo cave (northern Spain) and the 'Vasconian' Mousterian
This study explores the mobility and raw material circulation of Neanderthals at the El Castillo cave, located in the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula, with a particular focus on flint. The levels analyzed (XXab-XXf1.1) date between 45 and 70 ka BP, corresponding to the Mousterian period and, in some cases, to the Vasconian facies. Most of the flint varieties are of local origin ( 250 km). These findings provide insights into patterns of li…
Changes in lithic raw material and technological management during the Mesolithic: A view from El Mazo (Northern Iberia)
This study investigates the lithic industry at the Mesolithic shell midden site of El Mazo (Andrín, Asturias), on the Asturian coastline in Northern Iberia, focusing on resource management, production strategies, and mobility patterns of the last hunter-gatherer-fishers. El Mazo provides a unique opportunity to examine lithic resource use across the Early-Middle Holocene transition, with a particular emphasis on the dynamic of the 8.2 ka climate …
Raw Materials and Lithic Production During the Early Magdalenian in Cantabrian Spain: Cova Rosa (Ribadesella, Asturias)
The lithic assemblage studied here comes from Cova Rosa, one of the main Upper Palaeolithic sites in Asturias (northern Spain). The remains were found in Layer B5, which was excavated by F. Jordá Cerdá and A. Gómez Fuentes in 1978 and are associated with an osseous assemblage and archaeozoological remains. This occupation has been dated by radiocarbon to about 16,400 BP ( ca . 19.8–19.6 ka cal BP), corresponding to Archaic/Lower Magdalenian. The …
The Neolithic Flint Quarry of Pozarrate (Treviño, Northern Spain)
In this work, we present the preliminary data we have obtained in the Neolithic flint quarry of Pozarrate, currently under archaeological works. We want to put forward an update about the sedimentary fillings of one of the crescent-shaped dump quarries (6000–5600 BP). It is located at the Sierra de Araico-Cucho (Treviño, northern Spain). In this region, Tertiary carbonated terrains which host important silicifications called Treviño flint (Tarriñ…
Determination of lithic raw materials in Cantabrian Spain during Greenland Stadial 2: The Magdalenian of Tito Bustillo Cave (Ribadesella, Asturias)
The lithic assemblage studied here comes from the space known as the ' Area de Estancia in Tito Bustillo Cave (Ribadesella, Asturias, Spain), a representative Magdalenian site. The remains were found in Sub-level 1c2 in the Lower Complex (1LC), which was excavated by J.A. Moure Romanillo from 1981 to 1983 and is associated with abundant evidence of osseous industry, fauna, portable art, etc. The present study is especially innovative because it i…
The Escalada Formation: Characterization of a potential chert supply source in the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain) during prehistory
A study of the chert nodules found in the Escalada Formation (Carboniferous, Ponga region, Cantabrian Zone) was carried out as a means to characterise a number of lithic raw materials found in several prehistoric sites of the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain). This study comprises fieldwork aimed at locating the outcrops and obtaining samples. Some selected samples from two localities were used for both petrological (macroscopic and microscopic ana…
Chert from the Vegamián Formation: A new raw-material supply source in the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain) during prehistory
This work provides the keys to the mineralogical and geochemical characterization of black chert from the Vegamián Fm. This formation crops out throughout the whole of the Cantabrian Zone (of Palaeozoic age), one of the geological zones of the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain). The geographical distribution of this formation is very wide, surfacing in the provinces of León, Asturias, Palencia and Cantabria.This variety of chert had been included wi…
The Mesolithic with geometrics south of the ‘Picos de Europa’ (Northern Iberian Peninsula): The main characteristics of the lithic industry and raw material procurement
LegioLit: Knappable material lithotheque in the Prehistory Laboratory at the University of León, Spain
This work introduces a comparative collection located in the Prehistory Laboratory at the University of León (Spain) specialised in knappable raw materials, mainly comprising radiolarite and black chert (micro-crypto crystalline quartz), from the western Cantabrian Mountains (north of Iberian Peninsula). A standardised protocol of sample collection and data organisation was developed, which includes the use of several methodologies. First, Geogra…
Management of lithic raw materials in the “Mesolithic with geometrics” (Northern of Iberian Peninsula): Chaînes opératoires and territory
Local-regional raw material procurement in the "Mesolithic with geometrics" south of the Picos de Europa (Cantabrian Mountains, Spain)
In this work we have analysed the provenance of the lithic raw materials recovered during the excavation campaigns at two Mesolithic sites of the Cantabrian Mountains: La Uña (levels III and IV) and El Espertín (level II). From the data obtained, differences between the two deposits and their levels have been observed, with sourcing of very similar lithic resources, but with important differences in the percentages. In the case of El Espertín the…
Lithic Production in the Final Mesolithic in the Cantabrian Mountains: Levels III and IV at La Uña Cave (León, N Spain)
The lithic operational chains at the Mesolithic site of La Uña (León, N Spain) have been analysed and reconstructed through a joint study of the raw material provenance and technological characteristics of the assemblage. Differences in the management of each raw material have been observed, and three degrees of integrity of the chaîne opératoire (complete, incomplete and broken) have been differentiated. In addition, two main production targets …
Black chert and radiolarite: Knappable lithic raw materials in the prehistory of the Cantabrian Mountains (North Spain)
The Neolithic Flint Quarry of Pozarrate (Treviño, Northern Spain)
In this work, we present the preliminary data we have obtained in the Neolithic flint quarry of Pozarrate, currently under archaeological works. We want to put forward an update about the sedimentary fillings of one of the crescent-shaped dump quarries (6000–5600 BP). It is located at the Sierra de Araico-Cucho (Treviño, northern Spain). In this region, Tertiary carbonated terrains which host important silicifications called Treviño flint (Tarriñ…
Determination of lithic raw materials in Cantabrian Spain during Greenland Stadial 2: The Magdalenian of Tito Bustillo Cave (Ribadesella, Asturias)
The lithic assemblage studied here comes from the space known as the ' Area de Estancia in Tito Bustillo Cave (Ribadesella, Asturias, Spain), a representative Magdalenian site. The remains were found in Sub-level 1c2 in the Lower Complex (1LC), which was excavated by J.A. Moure Romanillo from 1981 to 1983 and is associated with abundant evidence of osseous industry, fauna, portable art, etc. The present study is especially innovative because it i…
Las implicaciones del desarrollo de la agricultura durante la Edad del Hierro en el norte de la península ibérica: El caso de la Peña del Castro (La Ercina, León, España)
Los trabajos arqueológicos realizados en la Peña del Castro documentaron cuatro fases de ocupación en este poblado desde la I Edad del Hierro hasta el Imperio Romano. El presente trabajo analiza la relevancia de la agricultura durante la tercera fase, desarrollada entre los siglos II-I a. C. De la misma se conservan carbonizados diferentes restos carpológicos junto a un completo conjunto de herramientas agropecuarias y molinos. Se han evaluado lo…
An overview of the Mesolithic in the northwest Atlantic and inland area of the Iberian Peninsula
This paper reviews the Mesolithic in the northwest Atlantic and inland area of the Iberian Peninsula and it is considered in the overall context of the rest of the Peninsula. The Cantabrian Mountains are the northern boundary of the study area, which excludes the adjoining coastal area. In addition to the geographical, geological and environmental settings, the chronology and human remains are also reviewed, paying special attention to the specif…
La conquista romana de la zona central cantábrica. El caso de la Peña del Castro (La Ercina, León, España), nuevos aportes para su conocimiento
La Peña del Castro had a long occupation that would begin in the tenth century BC until the Change of Era when the settlement was abandoned and destroyed. From the typological and stratigraphic study of the materials and structures exhumed at the site, we have analyzedthe causes that led to this tragic end. In addition to the violent destruction of the site, a later military occupation has been identified, which could be related to a strategy of …
La arquitectura de la Edad del Hierro en la zona cantábrica. El caso de La Peña del Castro (La Ercina, León)
Los trabajos arqueológicos realizados en La Peña del Castro han sacado a la luz un poblado ocupado desde la Primera Edad del Hierro hasta el cambio de Era. La destrucción violenta del asentamiento durante la conquista romana ha permitido documentar de manera excepcional la última fase de ocupación, comprendida entre los siglos ii- i a. C. Gracias a los derrumbes y al incendio que arrasó el poblado, se han conservado elementos estructurales de mad…
Raw Materials and Lithic Production During the Early Magdalenian in Cantabrian Spain: Cova Rosa (Ribadesella, Asturias)
The lithic assemblage studied here comes from Cova Rosa, one of the main Upper Palaeolithic sites in Asturias (northern Spain). The remains were found in Layer B5, which was excavated by F. Jordá Cerdá and A. Gómez Fuentes in 1978 and are associated with an osseous assemblage and archaeozoological remains. This occupation has been dated by radiocarbon to about 16,400 BP ( ca . 19.8–19.6 ka cal BP), corresponding to Archaic/Lower Magdalenian. The …
VNIR-SWIR reflectance spectroscopy as a nondestructive technique for compositional determination of archaeological talc samples with a machine learning approach
The material from which an archaeological piece is made provides a great deal of information regarding the society in which it was made; thus, any misidentification can lead to erroneous conclusions. The uniqueness of many of these pieces hinders their mineralogical analysis because the pieces cannot be damaged for sampling; therefore, errors in the classification of these materials are common. In the present study, we evaluate the suitability of…
Archaeological Lithotheques of Siliceous Rocks in Spain: First Diagnosis of the Lithotheque Thematic Network
The use of lithotheques, libraries or collections of rocks is relatively recent in archaeological research in Spain. These collections have mostly been formed through isolated initiatives in different institutions, without any scientific strategy to guide their development and growth. The perspective in the last few years has changed substantially as these infrastructures are now regarded as a scientific resource of great interest and potential i…
Neanderthal mobility over very long distances: The case of El Castillo cave (northern Spain) and the 'Vasconian' Mousterian
This study explores the mobility and raw material circulation of Neanderthals at the El Castillo cave, located in the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula, with a particular focus on flint. The levels analyzed (XXab-XXf1.1) date between 45 and 70 ka BP, corresponding to the Mousterian period and, in some cases, to the Vasconian facies. Most of the flint varieties are of local origin ( 250 km). These findings provide insights into patterns of li…
Changes in lithic raw material and technological management during the Mesolithic: A view from El Mazo (Northern Iberia)
This study investigates the lithic industry at the Mesolithic shell midden site of El Mazo (Andrín, Asturias), on the Asturian coastline in Northern Iberia, focusing on resource management, production strategies, and mobility patterns of the last hunter-gatherer-fishers. El Mazo provides a unique opportunity to examine lithic resource use across the Early-Middle Holocene transition, with a particular emphasis on the dynamic of the 8.2 ka climate …
Technological variability and raw material procurement in the Cantabrian Lower Magdalenian: Level G1 at El Cierro Cave (Ribadesella, Asturias, Spain)
This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the lithic assemblage from Level G1 of El Cierro Cave (northern Spain), attributed to the Cantabrian Lower Magdalenian. The study comprises 2,829 items, including 2,800 knapped artefacts, six macrolithic tools and 23 unmodified pebbles. Lithic procurement is dominated by flint, followed by quartzite and minor amounts of quartz. Eleven flint types have been identified, with local raw materials prevai…
Characterisation and prehistoric distribution of Piedramuelle flint in the Cantabrian region
Geography (18 works) · Archaeological and Geological Studies (16 works) · Archaeology (15 works) · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology (15 works) · Geology (14 works) · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies (10 works) · Cave (8 works) · Paleontology (7 works) · Archaeological and Historical Studies (6 works) · Mesolithic (6 works)