Mentor: Mark Krekeler, Ph.D.

Cave sediment offers insight into the nature of past soil processes and can contain a record of human and biological activity. Cave sediment is comparatively understudied in a system located near Barahona, Puerto Rico. The Gemelos Cave is in Las Cabachuelas NatureReserve between Morovis and Ciales, PR and was declared as a preserved site in February 2012 due to its natural and historical value. Although many aspects of the cave have been explored and studied, one aspect that has not been investigated in detail is the cave floor sediment. The mineralogy and geochemistry of cave sediment can provide specific understanding of sediment source(s) to Gemelos Cave and potential geochemical processes. An initial understanding of the surface sediment can provide context for understanding variation of the sediment at depth.

Additionally, Las Cabachuelas Nature Reserve has been one of the most significant places for understanding the first inhabitants of Puerto Rico, as well for the study of regional paleoenvironments in the Caribbean. Recent evidence from radiocarbon dating has identified cave pictography and pyrography dating to 400 CE. (Rodrriguez-Ramos et al. 2021).

A detailed mineralogical and geochemical understanding of sediment may aid preservation efforts and archiving of any artifacts excavated in the future. The cave overall is not impacted by heavy use, is well conserved, and serves as an excellent study site for future geological and archaeological work.

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