Explotaciones de sílex tipo "Turón" (Málaga, España)localización y caracterización petrológica y geoquímica

Resumen

The exploitations of the "Turon" type flint are located within the Lower Miocene Numidoide Fm. of the Campo de Gibrarltar Complex, which widely crops out along the Internal-External Zone boundary of the Betic Cordillera, and also backthrusts on the Internal Zones in the Malaga province (S Spain). This formation is mainly made of searedbrown clay and quatzarenites with typical features of a tecntonosedimentary "mélange", and includes tectonic slices derived from the Frontal Units of the Internal Zone as well as conglomerates of several ages containing Mesozoic and Tertian Clasts of the same provenance. The "Turon" type flint blocks studied here are located within these Meso-Ceoic conglomerate bodies. The flint mining of the "valle del Turon" started during the Neolithic and the Chalcolithic, with a final important reactivation in the nineteenth century, when it was used as flintlock for rifles. The petrological and geochemical analysis of the "Turon" type flint reveals certain characteristics such as a notable homogeneity and very fine grain, which together with a very low alteration grade make these rocks optimum for knapping. Moreover, this flint has been also exploited by the comtemporaries for gunflint production.