El Salt (Alcoy) lugar de interés patrimonial privilegiadoPatrimonio geológico, arqueológico e industrial

Abstract

The most characteristic feature of “El Salt” site (Alcoy, Alicante) is an episodic beautiful waterfall with a vertical drop of almost 80 m. It is placed on an escarpment carved in Upper Cretaceous-Eocene limestone layers and is influenced by the collapse of a calcareous tufa deposit. This fall caused a shelter, in which has been found some vestiges of occupation of one of the last Neanderthals in the Mediterranean region (47,2 ± 4,4 y 45,2 ± 3,4 ky.), including teeth, household remains and coprolites.The different types of tufa buildups identified are tufa terraces, and water fall, dam, layer and splash tufas. These tufa buildups contribute greatly to geodiversity of “El Salt” site. Furthermore, some fossils of mammal bones have been found in the upward tufa terraces (T+20 m). The important water flow in the site provided a significant industry from the late 18th century and, particularly, in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This industry based on hydropower included water mills of flour, paper and fulling (beginning of the textile industry). The significant Industrial Heritage is, in general, poorly preserved in “El Salt” area.