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Micropalaeontology

The Micropalaeontology Laboratory provides the facilities to develop studies and research focused on the study of small vertebrates: fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals (insectivores, bats and rodents). These are mainly obtained through the sieving-washing processes of sediment samples coming from the archaeo-paleontological sites. These samples provide useful information for a wide amount of studies: taxonomy, biochronology, paleoecology, paleoclimatology, taphonomy, biodiversity, histology, or biochemistry, among others. On the one hand, the laboratory has a space destined to the manipulation and consultation of the reference collection (consisting of skeletal remains of current vertebrates) and fossil collections, the sorting of samples and the identification and study of archaeo-paleontological fossil material. It has tables and the necessary material for the manipulation, storage and study of the material, a binocular microscope, an ultrasonic cleaner and a desktop computer. On the other hand, in the room adjacent to the laboratory, there is a space prepared for the washing-sieving of sediments or punctual re-washing of samples, as well as shelves for the provisional storage of sediments previously sieved and awaiting sorting. All the necessary field material is available to carry out these tasks (sieves with different mesh sizes, buckets, metal mesh or drying sieves). Outside the building, there is an air-temperature drying area to dry the sediments washed in the laboratory.