While there is a continuous improvement of our dating tools, there are few multi-techniques dating studies for Quaternary Geochronology. Here, we present the contribution of such approach on El Harhoura 2 and El Mnasra caves (Rabat-Témara region, Northwestern Africa). Known for having preserved Middle Stone Age (MSA) and Later Stone Age (LSA) occupations in caves, this region has been recognized for its interest in studying evolution and dispersal of H. sapiens issues at regional scale. Current chronologies in both caves (Jacobs et al., 2012; Janati-Idrissi et al., 2012; Ben-Arous et al., in press), based on contradictory age models are debated.

We address new chronological investigations through an integrative chronological approach (combined US-ESR, single-grain OSL, 14C and Bayesian model). The new methodological data signification and archeological interpretation for MSA and LSA human occupations timeline will be discussed.

References:

Ben-Arous, E., Falguères, C., Nespoulet, R., Hajraoui, M.A. El, n.d. Review of chronological data from the Rabat-Témara caves (Morocco): implications for understanding human occupation in Northwestern Africa during the Late Pleistocene, in: Leplongeon, A., Goder-Goldberger, M., Pleurdeau, D. (Eds.), Nile Valley, Not Just a Corridor. Paris.

Jacobs, Z., Roberts, R.G., Nespoulet, R., El Hajraoui, M.A., Debénath, A., 2012. Single-grain OSL chronologies for Middle Palaeolithic deposits at El Mnasra and El Harhoura 2, Morocco: Implications for Late Pleistocene human-environment interactions along the Atlantic coast of northwest Africa. J. Hum. Evol. 62, 377–394.

Janati-Idrissi, N., Falguères, C., Haddad, M., Nespoulet, R., Abdeljalil, M., Hajraoui, E.L., Debénath, A., Bejjit, L., Bahain, J., Michel, P., Garcia, T., Boudad, L., Hammouti, K. El, Oujaa, A., 2012. Datation par ESR-U/Th combinées de dents fossiles des grottes d'El Mnasra et D'El Harhoura 2 , région de Rabat-Témara. Implications chronologiques sur le peuplement du Maroc Atlantique au Pléistocène Supérieur et son environnement. Quaternaire 23, 25–35.