The ninth excavation campaign begins at the Baza-1 paleontological site
Today begins a new campaign of excavations at the Pliocene paleontological site of Baza-1 (Granada), led by the research team formed by Antoni Canals (IPHES-CERCA and URV), Sergio Ros-Montoya (University of Malaga) and Bienvenido Martínez-Navarro (ICREA-IPHES-CERCA). The work, which is now in its ninth edition, has the support of the Baza City Council and is part of the General Research Project for the study of the Pliocene of the Baza basin, authorized by the Andalusian Regional Government.
A key site for understanding the European Pliocene
The Baza-1 site, located in the well-known “Baza Fault”, was discovered in 1996 and preserves records dating back 4.5 million years. In just 50 m² excavated so far, more than 3,000 fossil remains have been recovered, making up one of the most complete collections of the Pliocene in Europe.
Among the recovered fossils are two species of primitive elephants (Mammut borsoni and Anancus arvernensis), as well as rhinoceroses, three-toed horses (hyparions), bovids, cervids, small suids and the large carnivorous bear Agriotherium. Remains of microvertebrates (16 species of small mammals, including the rodent Paraethomys baeticus, described for the first time in this site), as well as birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and fossil plants have also been documented. One of the most unique elements is the presence of the last crocodiles in Europe, which evidence a tropical/subtropical climate at the time of the formation of the site.
This exceptional record allows us to investigate how the Iberian Peninsula was reconfigured after the Messinian salinity crisis (between 6 and 5.3 million years ago), when the Mediterranean partially dried up until the opening of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Objectives and international participation
This year's campaign brings together an interdisciplinary team of 25 people, including research staff and students, from centers such as the University of Malaga, the University of Cordoba, ICREA, IPHES-CERCA, the Rovira i Virgili University, the Complutense University of Madrid, the University of Cork (Ireland), the University of Pisa (Italy) and the Jerez de la Frontera Museum.
The work will focus on expanding the excavation of the upper levels, which are very rich in proboscidean remains, and on determining the thickness of the fossiliferous strata. At the same time, work is being done with local authorities and civil society to enhance the site as a museum space that can be visited, which will become one of the jewels of the Granada Geopark recognized by UNESCO.