Search

Here we report on Neanderthal engravings on a cave wall at La Roche-Cotard (LRC) in central France, made more than 57±3 thousand years ago. Following human occupation, the cave was completely sealed by cold-period sediments, which prevented access until its discovery in the 19th century and first excavation in the early 20th century. The timing of the closure of the cave is based on 50 optically stimulated luminescence ages derived from sediment collected inside and from around the cave. The anthropogenic origin of the spatially-structured, non-figurative marks found within the cave is confirmed using taphonomic, traceological and experimental evidence. Cave closure occurred significantly before the regional arrival of H. sapiens, and all artefacts from within the cave are typical Mousterian lithics; in Western Europe these are uniquely attributed to H. neanderthalensis. We conclude that the LRC engravings are unambiguous examples of Neanderthal abstract design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the use of soil charcoal analyses in order to identify the origin of a Nardus stricta grassland in a mountain system (Mont Lozère, France), and the use of environmental resources and the construction of a cultural landscape. Two opposing theories have been proposed to explain the origin of this open landscape (1450–1700 m altitude): natural or anthropogenic. The identification and radiocarbon dates of charcoal fragments of Fagus sylvatica , which were found in all of the pits located in the current grassland area and dated to 3695–3633 cal BC, demonstrate that this species has been present on the upper part of Mont Lozère since the Middle Neolithic. In addition, the presence of pioneer species ( Betula, Salix, Corylus avellana ), as well as mid- ( Prunus cf avium ) and late-successional species ( F. sylvatica ) supports the hypothesis that the grassland contained both pioneer and mature phases of forest landscapes. The 14 C dates, ranging from c. 4200 cal BC to 1200 cal AD, show that fire events occurred with different climatic influences. Fire events may correspond to one or several fires in a short period at the scale of the slope. Moreover, the dates coincide with the early and extensive human impact detected in the Massif Central and Mont Lozère. To explain the regular occurrences of fire events from the Middle Neolithic to the Central Middle Ages, agro-pastoral clearings have been postulated, as have been identified in other areas in the Pyrenees and in the Alps. Such human impact may have been magnified, or least facilitated, by climatic conditions. Comparison with additional data (pollen, archaeology, ecology) demonstrates that this grassland area is not natural and corresponds to an ancient forested system that has been used and transformed by societies since the Neolithic, although climate change may have certainly affected this transformation. The aim of this research is to promote this cultural heritage in collaboration with the National Park of the Cévennes in order to protect its future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract After nine years of excavation (1998–2008) the site of La Picardie has delivered a significant lithic collection (more than 13,000 artefacts coordinated) chronologically related to the "Raysse burin" phase of the Gravettian (second phase of Middle Gravettian ca. 25–23 ky BP uncal.). The study of the lithic material has provided several important results, including the chronological attribution of the site, the description of a new type of retouched bladelet, and the reconstruction of the flint knapping process for blade and bladelet production on site. The palethnographic study and interpretation of the site have, however, not been discussed to date. In spite of some taphonomic issues the coalescence of different studies has allowed us to further our understanding of the site, notably via the functional analysis of stone tools, the evaluation of different skill levels in flint-knapping, the vertical and horizontal distributions of artefacts and tools, and finally the study of the different organised "structures" made of limestones blocks. Using several examples we will describe in a step by step manner the various elements that helped us to rebuild the probable function(s) of the site and propose a first palethnographic assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transformation in technological patterns associated with the Middle-to-Upper Palaeolithic transition between 50 and 40 ka in Western Europe and their relationship with the Neanderthal and Anatomically Modern Human populations and behaviors are issues that continue to stimulate heated debate. In this article we use the Middle and Early Upper Palaeolithic archaeo-stratigraphic record from the Bordes-Fitte rockshelter (les Roches d'Abilly site, Central France), a Bayesian analysis of the ages obtained by accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon on ultrafiltered collagen and by luminescence on quartz and feldspar grains, to establish a timeline for material culture and sedimentary dynamic changes during the Middle-to-Upper Palaeolithic transition. Technology, refitting studies and taphonomy of lithic artifacts recovered in the geoarchaeological field units D1 and D2 permit to characterize 3 reduction strategies (Levallois, Discoidal and Châtelperronian blade) that took place between the cold Heinrich events 5 and 4. We discuss the implications of the results to characterize the end of the Middle Palaeolithic, and for distinguishing anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic factors in Middle-to-Upper Palaeolithic assemblage's variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous periglacial features (polygons, nets, soil stripes, ice-wedge pseudomorphs and sand-wedge casts, involutions) have been recorded in France by examining bibliographical sources and aerial photographs. These data show that a large part of France was affected by permafrost during the Pleistocene and only the southern Aquitaine Basin and Languedoc seem to have been beyond its maximum extent. The first OSL ages obtained from the aeolian infill of wedge structures indicate that at least two phases of thermal contraction cracking occurred in southwestern France between ∼25 and 36 ka. Chronostratigraphical data from loess in northern France indicate that these episodes correspond to the formation of ice-wedge networks associated with tundra gleys. In the latter region, two additional permafrost episodes probably occurred during the Last Glacial, the older one corresponding to the end of Marine Isotope Stage ( MIS) 4 around 60 ka and the more recent one to MIS 2 around 19-16 ka. Although stratigraphical data indicate that these episodes were relatively short (about one millennium), relict permafrost may have existed for longer periods in northern France. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents a geoarchaeological study of Middle and Upper Palaeolithic (Châtelperronian, Aurignacian and Solutrean) occupations preserved at the Bordes-Fitte rockshelter in Central France. The lithostratigraphic sequence is composed of near-surface sedimentary facies with vertical and lateral variations, in a context dominated by run-off and gravitational sedimentary processes. Field description and micromorphological analysis permit us to reconstruct several episodes of sediment slope-wash and endokarst dynamics, with hiatuses and erosional phases. The archaeostratigraphic succession includes Châtelperronian artefacts, inter-stratified between Middle Palaeolithic and Aurignacian occupations. Systematic refitting and spatial analysis reveal that the Châtelperronian point production and flake blanks retouched into denticulates, all recovered in the same stratigraphic unit, result from distinct and successive occupations and are not a ‘transitional’ Middle to Upper Palaeolithic assemblage. The ages obtained by 14C place the Châtelperronian occupation in the 41–48 ka cal BP (calibrated thousands of years before present) interval and are consistent with the quartz optically stimulated luminescence age of 39 ± 2 ka and feldspar infra-red stimulated luminescence age of 45 ± 2 ka of the sediments. The Bordes-Fitte rockshelter sequence represents an important contribution to the debate about the characterization and timing of the Châtelperronian, as well as its affinities to earlier and later industries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

European aeolian deposits have been mapped using the LUCAS topsoil texture database and the location, thickness and grain size mode of loess sections described in the literature have been compiled. The map, in fairly good agreement with those based on a classical geological approach, has the advantage of being of equal precision for the whole study area and makes it possible to highlight grain size gradients. It shows three main types of aeolian systems, i.e. systems associated with ice sheets (FIS, BIIS, AIS) and the rivers they feed, continental systems related to the erosion of sedimentary rocks, and coastal systems. Each aeolian system is comprised of a band of coversands of varying extent close to the sources and bands of sandy loess and loess away from the sources. The thickness of loess is highly variable throughout Europe. The areas of greatest accumulation are associated with the rivers draining the AIS (Rhine, Danube, Rhône). The Middle Danube, which combines sources of glacial origin (AIS) and local sources, constitutes the main accumulation area in Europe. Conversely, continental and coastal systems generated only limited loess cover. The latitudinal gradient of vegetation probably played an important role in loess sedimentation during the LGM. Weak interference between particle transport and vegetation (periglacial desert in the sand belt, cryptogamic crusts and steppe in the north European loess belt) allowed for particle sorting through aeolian transport to develop. The loess band is extensive in low-relief areas and is typified by a low sand content. In southern Europe, on the other hand, the capture of saltating and suspended particles by the shrubby steppe vegetation led to the dominant accumulation of sandy loess near sources. • Cartography of European aeolian deposits based on LUCAS topsoil texture database. • Main types of aeolian systems: glacial, coastal, continental and mixed. • Main loess accumulations along rivers draining the AIS and mixed systems. • Latitudinal gradient in sandy loess belt development due to vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]