Sedimentology and stratigraphy of Corbeddu Cave (Eastern Sardinia)

The depositional history of Corbeddu Cave (Eastern Sardinia) is complex. The sediments contain large quantities of fossil remains, which have an unusual taphonomy. The reconstruction of the depositional history in the cave is important for determining how the fossils were introduced into the sediments. This reconstruction was based on a detailed study of the profiles of the excavation pits. Several different facies types can be recognised, which were formed by distinct depositional mechanisms. Locally, calciumcarbonate precipitation resulted in the formation of flowstones during wet periods. Clay deposition took place in pools or subterranean intermittent lakes. Breccia was formed near the inferred entrances of the cave and was transported further into the cave by inflowing water during periods of increased rainfall. Rounded quartz gravel was introduced into the cave by a subterranean riversystem, which originated from a now inactive spring at the back of the cave. At the end of the Pleistocene, coarse breccia formation stopped and subaerial deposition of mainly fine-grained material (silt and clay) took place. Water flow transport of large bones, which are present in the pool facies, seems tobe unlikely in this low-energy environment.