Geological characterisation of the settlement of Villasviejas del Tamuja (Cáceres, Spain)

In press.A geological study of the settlement of Villasviejas del Tamuja was carried out with the aim of identifying the characteristics of its geological basement. Based on electrical tomography of the different profiles at different depths, correlating the results of the electrical sections with the geological information of the outcrops, it has been possible to establish the boundary between the archaeological and geological layer, and to describe the changes in the lithology in depth. The slate substrate with resistivity values of 200 Ω-m is at a depth between 1 and 3 m. From an approximate depth of 7 m, the resistivity increases due to the presence of a compositionally discordant unit with the slate substrate, which may be a granite intrusion. The progressive increase in resistivity values would be related to a contact aureole produced by the granitic intrusion with the development of hornfels that have been observed in the Tamuja river bed. This intrusion has also served to reveal evidence of mining in the area around the settlement. This study has contributed towards defining the geometry of the original slate substrate as a condition of its initial settlement and development, as well as providing in-depth geological knowledge by providing electrical tomography with a good description of lithological changes. With these data, the geological knowledge of the study area is covered both in surface and in depth, allowing for future research.This study was partially supported by the Junta de Extremadura, Consejería de Economía e Infraestructuras. Secretaría General de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación through the project “Desarrollo de métodos de mínima invasión para la revalorización socio-cultural de zonas arqueológicas” ref.PRI IB116150.Peer reviewe