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The Bronze Age decorated cave of Les Fraux (Dordogne, France) combines cave art and evidence for domestic and symbolic activities. The interdisciplinary research which has been conducted on the site since 2007 attempts to untangle the interwoven uses of this cave for later prehistoric communities, during short but regular human visitations, by combining chronology, interactions between individuals and their environment, and emerging technologies. The cave seems first to have been characterised by symbolic activity (cave art, votive deposits), becoming increasingly used for domestic activities. One aim of the research was the interpretation of archaeological data within a framework which combined space and time, from data acquisition, implementation of site monitoring, experimentation and simulation to reconstruction. We employed an integrative research approach based on new technologies, involving full 3D documentation of the entire site and processing of interdisciplinary data according to accurate 3D models of the cave, which provided a common framework for the various studies and partners involved. The difficulty of our study, however, lies in the definition and the meaning of ritual or symbolic gesture, as practiced in a cave context.

International audience; Pastoral activities in the northeastern Pyrenees increased substantially during the Bronze Age, raising the question of the modalities of occupations in zones where the snow cover limited access to grasslands for a significant part of the year. The present study explores how stable isotope analysis may characterize the adaptation of husbandry to mountain environments through herding strategies, including the vertical mobility of livestock. It also addresses the broader issue of the occupation of territories by Bronze Age communities in the Western Mediterranean area, focusing on possible links between coastal plains and mountainous areas. For this purpose, sequential stable carbon and oxygen isotope analyses were conducted on caprines’ teeth from the mountain site of Llo (Pyrenees-Orientales, 1630 m asl, Middle Bronze Age) and the permanent coastal site of Portal-Vielh (Herault, 0 m asl, Late Bronze Age). An exploratory analysis was also conducted on modern sedentary and transhumant ewes to investigate the effect of altitudinal mobility on enamel oxygen isotope values. The range of d18O values measured in modern and archaeological caprines raised in mountain zones was lower than the one measured in the lowland caprines, while no significant difference could be observed in the range of d13C values. Co-variations between d13C and d18O sequences reveal the most information. The positive correlation observed in all instances at low elevation sites was not the leading pattern at Llo, where a variety of schemes could be observed, including opposite d13C and d18O sequences. This opposition could not be explained by a reversal of the d18O cycle due to vertical mobility. Other causes could involve changes in the pattern of variation of d13C values, potentially linked to human responses to the local constraints, including vertical mobility and/or foddering. Portal-Vielh delivered a fully lowland signal. At Llo, although a full adaptation to a mountain environment seems clear, the question of the vertical mobility of the livestock cannot be resolved at the moment. Most importantly, Llo was characterized by a high inter-individual variability in the co-variation of d13C and d18O profiles, reflecting great plasticity of the husbandry practices on the inter-annual scale. This could have been a key to the adaptation to these marginal environments. The apparent disjunction between the coastal and mountain settlements, as far as herd trajectory is concerned, must be reaffirmed by further investigations in a larger number of sites.

International audience; Recent excavations at Taraschina, south-eastern Romania, have revealed an extensive Chalcolithic settlement in the heart of the Danube Delta. Based on ceramic data, Taraschina was attributed to the Gumelniţa Culture and dated to the mid 5th millenium BC by radiocarbon dating. Phytolith analysis was conducted at Taraschina in order to reconstruct some activities carried out by the Chalcolithic populations in the Danube Delta. The study was undertaken on the site sediments, as well as on additional deposits sampled around the site by coring. The results show that phytoliths characterizing cereal processing are attested in archaeological deposits, as well as in the surrounding sequence. Our study highlights an important signal of cereal processing in the heart of the Danube Delta, 6000 years ago.

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International audience; The study area mainly includes the continental shelves of two European states (France and Spain), three North African countries (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia), and Gibraltar and Monaco. Overall, the total shelf area in the western Mediterranean down to the 150 m isobath is 208,000 km2 within a total basin area of 1,343,620 km2. There is a major difference in the degree of available information from EU member states and North African countries.

The origin and evolution of the enclosed depressions (pans) of southern France during the period from the Late Glacial to the Holocene are discussed on the basis of newstratigraphical, geophysical and chronological (14C) data from the Canohes depression (Roussillon, Southern of France) and its nearby environment. The Canohes depression is non-karstic, excavated from Pliocene arkosic sands that were shaped by eolian erosion during cold stages of the Middle and Upper Pleistocene. The timing and controlling factors of eolian carving of the depression are discussed on the basis of geomorphological data, surrounding alluvial terrace chronology, preserved ledge within the depression and alluvial infill of the depression. Formation of the depressionwas controlled, locally, by climate variability and its consequences on vegetation and water table position and, regionally, by the sea base level. The enclosed depression probably started to form during MIS 6, reaching its maximum depth during MIS 2. Climate variability in the region is recorded in the depression's infill. The basal deposits are of fluvial origin and record the increase of moisture and temperature during the Early Late-Glacial. The first lacustrine deposits are observed during the Bolling/GI-1e stage,while continental sedimentation and drying occurred during the Allerod and Younger Dryas stages. During the Early and Middle Holocene, lacustrine conditions prevailed, except during short periods of drying. The specific evolution of the Canohes depression as regards other such formations is discussed in light of regional deglaciation and climate chronology. A regional synthesis of eolian erosion is proposed.

Not available, Durante la Edad del Bronce en Europa occidental, el aumento drástico de la producción de cobre apenas está documentado en las actividades mineras y metalúrgicas de transformación. En este contexto, el yacimiento minero y metalúrgico de Saint-Véran, Hautes-Alpes constituye un testimonio privilegiado de la producción en masa a fines del III milenio, ya que las obras mineras dan cuenta de una explotación a gran escala, con una producción de casi 7 t de cobre al año. Numerosos sitios de metalurgia extractiva puede haber estado asociados con ella. Desde hace 20 años, diversos equipos, como en el que participan los autores, han emprendido o emprenden investigaciones para intentar documentar el sitio y su actividad. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar el estado actual de la cuestión sobre el yacimiento. Los resultados principales son la puesta en evidencia de la actividad de producción en masa y su cuantificación. Además se ha descrito por primera vez la organización de la producción, poniendo en evidencia la sucesión de fases entre la actividad minera y metalúrgica, así como las técnicas metalúrgicas innovadoras puestas en práctica. El yacimiento revela un estallido muy marcado de la actividad metalúrgica en el espacio que no deja de plantear interrogantes. Igualmente, la cuestión del destino de la producción sigue abierta por completo. Por otro lado, los motores para una implantación semejante en un territorio de alta montaña han comenzado a identificarse. Así se invocan determinismos naturales ya se trate de la mineralización particular de un yacimiento como de la evolución del clima. [fr] A l’âge du Bronze ancien en Europe occidentale, l’augmentation drastique de la production de cuivre est très peu documentée au niveau des activités minières et métallurgiques de transformation. Dans ce contexte, le gisement minier et métallurgique de Saint-Véran, Hautes- Alpes constitue un témoin privilégié de la production de masse à la fin du 3e millénaire, puisqu’aux travaux miniers rendant compte d’une exploitation à grande échelle, avec une production de près de sept tonnes de cuivre par an, plusieurs sites de métallurgie extractive ont pu être associés. Depuis près de vingt ans, plusieurs équipes dont celle rassemblant les présents auteurs ont mené ou mènent des recherches pour tenter de documenter le site et son activité. L’objectif de cet article est de présenter l’état de nos connaissances du gisement au jour d’aujourd’hui. Les résultats principaux sont la mise en évidence et la quantification de l’activité de production de masse. De plus, une première description de l’organisation de la production a pu être donnée, où sont mis en lumière les phasages entre activité minière et métallurgiques, ainsi que les techniques métallurgiques innovantes mises en place. Le gisement révèle un éclatement très marqué de l’activité métallurgique dans l’espace qui ne laisse pas d’interroger. De même, la question de la destination de la production reste entièrement posée. Par ailleurs, les moteurs d’une telle implantation en territoire de haute montagne ont commencé d’être identifiés. Ainsi sont évoqués, pour les seuls déterminismes naturels, aussi bien la minéralisation particulière du gisement que l’évolution du climat.

Over the past twenty years, palaeoenvironmental research in the Mediterranean has progressed significantly, based mainly on marine, lake, marsh, peat bog and fluvial archives. These records demonstrate a long-standing anthropogenic impact on the Mediterranean ecosystems but also provide evidence of significant climatic instability (e.g. Magny et al. 2013; Vanniere et al. 2013) with notable periods of Rapid Climatic Change (RCC) observed on the global scale during the Holocene (9.2, 8.2, 6-5, 4.2, 3.2 ka cal. BP; c. 7.2, 6.2, 4-3, 2.2, 1.2 ka BC). In polar records, RCCs that start abruptly within a decade or two at the most and most often concern a period of 150 to 400 years, are often considered among the main environmental factors causing socio-economic and cultural changes, migrations, and even collapses. According to such climatic determinism, an RCC would be much harder (if not impossible), for a human society to adapt to, thus leading to radical societal transformations (e.g.Weiss et al. 1993; DeMenocal, 2001; Drake, 2012;Weninger et al. 2014) but an increasing number of published studies suggest that the relationship between environmental and cultural changes is more complex and offer a range of non-deterministic explanations (e.g. Butzer, 2012). Starting from this perspective, we have developed a new research project (ArcheoMed- Paleomex) in the framework of the MISTRAls initiative to respond to the following questions: 1) What is a natural forcing (timing, nature, origin)? 2) How can a so-called “climate event” produce a social fact: change in material production, resource exploitation, settlement pattern, etc.?

International audience; A novel approach to the intensity of archaeological fires is proposed, based on a combination of archaeological observations and analyses of sedimentary hearths with relevant proxies obtained from using experimental combustion structures. In this work, two different structures were built and monitored. They aimed at reproducing two types of archaeological hearth morphology encountered at the Bronze Age site of the cave of Les Fraux (Saint Martin de Fressengeas, Dordogne, France). A series of fires was constructed and a large amount of data was collected: temperature curves, wood consumption and observations on substratum evolution. A numerical code for heat transfer was developed to model heat propagation from the surface to the underlying sedimentary layers, the input parameters of which were adapted to fit the thermal evolution observed with the experimental fires. We found that two archaeological parameters are fundamental to characterise the intensity of the fire: the paleotemperature reached at the surface of the burnt sediment (which in our case was determined by thermoluminescence analyses) and the depth of the rubefaction front as an indicator of a 250 °C isothermal surface. We then estimated the duration of an equivalent single fire that would correspond to one of the archaeological hearths investigated. Finally, with the wood consumption recorded during the fire experiments, and the estimated firing duration, the energy involved was evaluated. When generalised to the study of archaeological hearths, this approach could be of great interest in firing intensity evaluation (temperature/time/energy).

International audience; La politique de décentralisation des séances de la Société Préhistorique Française porte ses fruits. Ces réunions permettent aux adhérents des différentes régions du pays à participer plus activement à la vie de la Société mais aussi poussent les préhistoriens à débattre et à présenter des nouvelles données fraîchement acquises. Lors de la journée du 19 juin 1999 à Toulouse, il est clairement apparu que l'Age du Bronze "se porte bien". Dans le Sud-Ouest, les travaux universitaires sur l'Age du Bronze est conséquent. Parallèlement à ces écrits, les travaux de terrain sont réalisés.

International audience; An interdisciplinary team of archaeologists, surveyors, environmentalists and archaeometrists has jointly carried out the study of the Bronze Age "Les Fraux" (Saint-Martin-de-Fressengeas, Dordogne, France) since 2007. This archaeological decorated cave, registered as a French Historical Monument, forms a wide network of galleries, characterized by the exceptional richness of its archaeological remains such as ceramic and metal deposits, parietal representation and domestic fireplaces. This cave is the only protohistorical site in Europe wherein testimonies of domestic, spiritual and artistic activities are gathered. This project has been labelled by the Institute of Ecology and Environment of the French Research Council (CNRS), who wants to promote new methodologies and experimental studies in Global Ecology. Accurate 3D models of the cave constitute the common framework for the different partners. We present in this paper an overview of methods of data recording based on contact-free measurement techniques in order to acquire a full 3D-documentation of the site. Different techniques based on Terrestrial Laser Scanning, Digital Photogrammetry ad Spatial Imaging have been used in order to generate geometric and photorealistic 3D models from the combination of point clouds and photogrammetric images, for both visualization and accurate documentation purposes. Various scales of acquiring and diverse resolutions have been applied according to the subject, e.g. global volume of the cave, parietal representations, and deposits. Measurements from an original method of 3D indoor magnetic field recording are combined with the 3D models in order to locate magnetic anomalies in the cave. All the surveys are conducted in compliance with the integrity of the site.

International audience; Subfossil tree trunks deposits are common in large rivers, but their status as a source for dating alluvial sequences and palaeoenvironmental studies is still discussed. Particularly their origin and the process(es) of deposition as well as a possible remobilization were pointed as a limit to their use to document river alluvial changes. In this work we report the discovery of the largest subfossil trunks deposits in the Garonne valley. These new data are compared to the previous ones. A set of 17 tree trunks and more than 300 smaller wood fragments were collected. The xylologic study shows the prevalence of Quercus and a single occurrence of Ulmus. These two hardwood species are commonly associated with riparian forest. The 14C dating carried out on seven trunks and a single branch of Quercus on the outermost identified growth rings, indicates age ranging from 8400-8000 cal. BP for the oldest fragment (bough) to 4300-4000 cal. BP for the most recent tree trunk. Radiocarbon ages of the trunks are aggregated into two main periods: 5300-5600 cal. BP (four trunks) and 4300-4000 cal. BP (three trunks). The radiocarbon (charcoal) dating of the top of the alluvial sequence overlaying the trunks gives an age between 1965-1820 and 1570-1810 cal. BP, i.e. between the 2nd and the 5th c. AD. In addition, the discovery of two unpublished subfossil tree trunks deposits in Finhan are reported (six trunks). At the light of these results, we discuss previously proposed models for the Garonne floodplain building.

La moyenne Garonne, entre Toulouse et la confluence du Tarn, correspond à la zone d'élargissement de la basse plaine alluviale inondable, jusqu’à plus de 4 km. Peu de travaux ont été menés sur l'architecture sédimentaire et la chronologie de la mise en place de cette unité géomorphologique. Dans ce travail, nous montrons que l'édification de la plaine en aval de Toulouse s'est effectuée en deux temps. Tout d'abord, une phase d'apports sédimentaires réduits, correspondant aux « limons jaunes », dont la mise en place s'effectue durant la phase alluviale pléniglaciaire entre 16 000 ans cal. BP et au plus tard 8 900 ans cal. BP. Cet épisode est encore très mal documenté. Une phase d'incision majeur remanie et érode les limons jaunes entre 8 900 et 5 000-4 500 ans cal. BP. Cet épisode pourrait être contrôlé par le climat et la biostabilisation de la plaine en réponse à la reconquête par la chênaie mixte. Les accumulations de charbons alluviaux vers 4 400 ans cal. BP pourraient signer les premiers impacts anthropiques majeurs sur la plaine, en relation avec les sites de Fontréal et Cassagna. Ces impacts anthropiques pourraient avoir favorisé la reprise de l'alluvionnement notamment sur l'effluent Hers-Girou à la confluence avec la Garonne. Après 4 000 ans cal. BP, trois phases de mise en place des limons bruns de couverture sont identifiées vers 3 700-3 400 ans cal. BP, 2 500-2 000 BP et entre la fin du Moyen-Age et de la période Moderne. Between Toulouse and the Tarn confluence, the lower floodplain of the Middle Garonne widens and reaches more than 4 km wide. Both sedimentary architecture and chonology of its building are poorly documented by previous works. In this paper, we highlight that the floodplain, downstream of Toulouse, was mainly built in two episodes. First, an alluvial phase associated with reduced sediment supply, i.e. the « yellow silt », occurred and extended during the Pleniglacial alluvial phase (16.0 - 8.9 cal. ky BP). This episode remains poorly constrained. Downcutting and erosion partially removed the yellow silt during the 8.9 to 5.0-4.5 cal. ky BP interval. Climate and biostabilisation by riparian forest (mixed oak forest) might control this episode. Charcoal accumulation in alluvial levels could be interpreted as the first human impact on riparian forest around 4.4 cal. ky BP. The local sites of Fontréal and Cassagna localized on the Pleistocene terrace are contemporary of this episode. Later, aggradation resumed on the Hers-Girou effluent at the Garonne confluence. After 4,000 cal. yr BP, we identified three deposition phases of the brown cover silts around 3,700-3,400 cal. yr BP, 2,500-2,000 BP and during Late Middle Age and the Modern period.

International audience; Numerous sorts of evidence of fires were observed in the cave of Les Fraux (Dordogne, France) and in particular the effects of fire on sediment were studied for a better understanding of their use centuries ago. Our present objective is the evaluation of the firing intensity by determining the past temperature (paleotemperature) attained by the topmost sediment of the archaeological fires. The principle of paleotemperature determination is based on the thermoluminescence (TL) properties of quartz and the magnetic susceptibility of the sediment. By comparing the TL signal of anciently heated quartz to the TL signal of thermal references made in the laboratory, we were able to obtain a maximal equivalent temperature attained for each sample extracted from ancient fires. The magnetic susceptibility (previously measured on the hearth surface) could thus be estimated as a function of temperature. The main result of this study is the temperature mapping of the hearth which can be used as meaningful information about the ancient firing intensity.

International audience; Palaeogeographic changes of the North Black Sea area during Early to Middle Holocene (i.e. 12e4 ka BP) is of crucial interest in the understanding of the spread of the Neolithic to central and western Europe. It is also a good method to develop a framework for Pre- and Proto-historic societal adaptation to environmental changes. This paper describes Black Sea coastal geomorphological changes associated with sea level rise, delta progradation and delta lobe shifts modifying the living conditions and habitability in the Danube delta during Neolithic to Chalcolithic time. An archaeological and palaeoenvironmental chronological framework allows comparison between environmental and social data. The rhythms of these changes are discussed in the light of spatial changes in settlements. The Neolithic to Chalcolithic transition (i.e. Hamangia, Boian and Gumelnit¸ a) shows rapid adaptation to geographical conditions. The Early Neolithic gap in the Dobroudja is potentially the result of a taphonomic bias related to coastal position change in a context of a rapid flooding event.

In the cave of Les Fraux (Dordogne, France) numerous traces of fires are visible in the galleries. A multidisciplinary investigation was carried out to study these fires. This paper presents the methodology applied for the hearth study. It is based on the examination of the thermoluminescence (TL) of quartz and the magnetic susceptibility of iron oxides. First of all, magnetic susceptibility was measured on the surface of hearths. Based on both susceptibility mapping and visible sediment characteristics, small sediment samples (1-2 g) were taken. Subsequently, quartz grains were extracted from the sediment samples. Fourteen thermal references were obtained by heating (from 200 to 650°C) fractions of the pristine unfired cave sediment. Comparing the TL signal of anciently heated quartz to the reference samples allowed to obtain the maximum equivalent temperature attained for each sample extracted from ancient fires. Consequently, the correspondence between magnetic susceptibility and temperature allowed for the reconstruction of a paleotemperature map of the study area. This research provides information about fire intensity in the cave, which can help to understand its function.

International audience; L’Europe occidentale connaît durant la seconde moitié du troisième millénaire un développement important de la production métallurgique. À Saint-Véran, dans le Haut-Queyras (Hautes-Alpes), l’exploitation et la transformation des ressources cuprifères sont attestées entre 2450 et 1950 avant notre ère. La mine de la « tranchée des Anciens » a ainsi permis l’extraction de près de 2 000 tonnes de minerais, la bornite. Le site de la Cabane des Clausis à Saint-Véran constituait jusqu’alors la principale zone de traitement pyrométallurgique associée. La présente communication se propose de rendre compte des sondages récents réalisés dans le vallon du Longet, à Molines-en-Queyras, qui montrent l’existence d’une petite zone métallurgique dont la datation est comprise entre le XXIIIe et le XXe s. avant notre ère et où, pour la première fois au sein du complexe de Saint-Véran, la preuve directe de l’utilisation de fours bâtis a pu être établie. La grande similarité des scories mises au jour sur le site avec celles de la Cabane des Clausis renvoie à des procédés métallurgiques analogues, témoins d’innovations récentes accompagnant la mise en place d’une production de masse dont le complexe minier et métallurgique est alors le siège

International audience

The purpose of this article is to present the results of a rescue excavation preceding the building of a store in the suburbs of Clermont-Ferrand. An area of 5600 square metres was cleared, revealing 73 domestic structures. The spatial analysis carried out shows that the structures dating back to the Middle Bronze Age are predominantly to be found in the northern part of the area. Although their distribution has not led to the identification of any building plan, linear grouping has shown empty spots which could be linked to the installation of above-ground structures. Two carbon dates indicate that the Middle Bronze Age settlement may date back to a period extending from the end of the 17th century to the 16th century BC, i. e. the turning point between the first Middle Bronze Age and the second Middle Bronze Age. The cultural characteristics of this settlement are based exclusively on the study of ceramic elements. The specific cups and platters with handles found there are evidence of Italic influences, probably transmitted via southern groups of the Middle Bronze Age., L’objet de cet article est de présenter les résultats d’une opération d’archéologie préventive, préalable à la construction d’un bâtiment commercial, dans la banlieue de Clermont-Ferrand. Le décapage, réalisé sur une surface de 5 600 m2, a mis au jour 73 structures domestiques. L’analyse spatiale du gisement fait transparaître une répartition préférentielle des structures du Bronze moyen au nord du décapage. Si leur distribution n’a pas permis d’identifier le plan de bâtiments, elle indique, au travers de regroupements linéaires, l’emplacement de «vides», peut-être liés à l’implantation de structures aériennes. Deux datations 14C laissent penser que l’occupation du Bronze moyen s’échelonne entre la fin du 17e et le 16e siècle avant notre ère, c’est-à-dire à la charnière entre le Bronze moyen 1 et le Bronze moyen 2. La caractérisation culturelle de cette occupation a été établie à l’aide exclusive du mobilier céramique. La présence de tasses et d’écuelles carénées munies d’anses à poussier témoigne d’influences italiques, probablement relayées par les groupes méridionaux du Bronze moyen., Ballut Christelle, Carozza Laurent, Bouby Laurent. Un habitat du Bronze moyen à Cournon-d'Auvergne (Puy-de-Dôme) : nouvelles données sur la dynamique de l'Âge du Bronze moyen sur la bordure méridionale du Massif central . In: Bulletin de la Société préhistorique française, tome 103, n°3, 2006. pp. 535-584.

International audience; More than four metres of core, covering almost 5000 years of deposition, were collected in a high ash minerogenic peat deposit located in the High Aldudes valley (Basque country), an area well known for its mineral abundance, exploited from Roman Times at least.Although minerogenic peatlands are not generally considered as the best archives to reconstruct past atmospheric metal deposition history, lead isotopic geochemistry demonstrates the integrity of the Pb record at least within the three upper meters; that is to say over the last four millennia.Zn, Cd and Cumay have been widely redistributed either by biological cycling, advective groundwater movements, or diffusional processes.Anthr opogenic lead input phases are clearly pinpointed by positive shifts in PbySc ratios with concomitant sharp drops in 206Pby207Pb ratios.They are often accompanied by significant declines in tree taxa, interpreted as increasing demand for wood to supply energy for local mining andyor metallurgical operations.Periods of mining andyor smelting activity are identified during Antiquity and Modern Times, and are also confirmed by textual and field evidence.Inputs from the Rio Tinto (Southern Spain), often invoked as a major lead contributor to the European atmosphere during Roman Times, were not detected here.This remote source was probably masked by local inputs. Other mining andyor smelting phases, only suspected by archaeologists, are here identified as early as the Bronze Age.Although the durations of these phases are possibly overestimated because of detrital inputs consequent to the release of lead from polluted soils over a long period of time after major pollutant inputs, the periods at which pollution peaks occur are in good agreement with archaeological knowledge and palaeo-botanical data.Thecombination of geochemical and palaeo-botanical techniques with field archaeology, therefore provides a powerful tool in studying the interaction of early human societies with their environment, as regards early mining and smelting.

The site of Sindou is that of a Bronze Age collective burial place in a cave in the Quercy region. Study of the funerary practices reveals that this cave was used for secondary burials with the deposits undergoing multiple manipulations (in particular the removal of skulls) throughout the long duration of its sepulchral use. The fifty individuals represented cover all age groups except new-born infants. Kinship between several adults has been demonstrated through analyses of discrete characters and mitochondrial DNA. Palaeogenetic studies still in progress point to a group with a strong degree of consanguinity, at least as far as the genetic links through the female lines of descent are concerned., Le gisement de Sindou correspond à une sépulture collective du Bronze final en grotte dans le Quercy. L'étude des pratiques funéraires met en évidence un fonctionnement complexe de cette cavité dont les dépôts ont fait l'objet de multiples manipulations (prélèvements de crânes notamment) au cours de la durée ď utilisation du sépulcre. Les cinquante individus représentés correspondent à une population naturelle à l 'exception des nouveaux nés manifestement sous-représentés. Des liens de parenté entre plusieurs adultes ont pu être mis en évidence à partir de caractères discrets et de l'ADN mitochondrial. Les études paléogénétiques en cours suggèrent un groupe où régnait sinon une forte consanguinité, du moins des liens génétiques par les lignées féminines., Briois François, Crubézy Eric, Carozza Laurent. La grotte Sindou (Lot) ; une sépulture familiale du Bronze final. In: Bulletin de la Société préhistorique française, tome 97, n°4, 2000. pp. 553-559.

Due to the building of a new housing estate alongside the Etang de Vendres (Hérault) excavations were carried out on part of the Late Bronze Age site of Portal Vielh. Two excavation campaigns conducted in 1996 and 1997 brought to light three distinct occupation levels, all dating back to the end of the Bronze Age. The earliest corresponds to Late Bronze Age II: pits, post holes and packing material have been discovered together with a palaeo-soil which was well-preserved in places. The Late Bronze Age Ilia settlement is characterised by the good state of preservation of its soil as well as a large quantity of post packing material. It has been impossible to draw any coherent plans except one structure which may have been a raised storehouse. The Late Bronze Age Illb witnessed a change in the area: the digging of a surrounding ditch, specialisation of the site in the production of ceramics... Thanks to the analysis of the numerous dwelling structures discovered on this site, it has been possible, due to the spatial structuring and the development of artisanal productions, to improve our knowledge of Late Bronze Age societies., La réalisation d'un lotissement en bordure de l'étang de Vendres, situé dans le département de l'Hérault, a occasionné la fouille d'une portion du site Bronze final du Portai Vielh. Deux campagnes de fouilles, réalisées en 1996 et 1997, ont révélé trois occupations distinctes se rapportant toutes à la fin de l'Age du Bronze. La plus ancienne occupation décelée correspond au Bronze final II : fosses, cuvettes et calages de poteaux ont été découverts associés à un paléosol ponctuellement conservé. L'occupation du Bronze final Illa se caractérise par la présence d'un horizon archéologique en excellent état de conservation, auquel sont associés de nombreux calages de poteaux. A l'exception d'une structure que nous interprétons comme un possible grenier de stockage surélevé, aucun plan cohérent n 'a pu être dégagé. Au Bronze final Hlb correspond une transformation de l 'espace : creusement d'un fossé d'enceinte, spécialisation du site dans la production de céramiques... L'étude des nombreuses structures d'habitat dégagées sur le gisement permet d'affiner, au travers de la structuration de l'espace et du développement des productions artisanales, notre perception de la dynamique des sociétés du Bronze final., Carozza Laurent, Burens Albane. Les habitats du Bronze final de Portal Vielh à Vendres (Hérault). In: Bulletin de la Société préhistorique française, tome 97, n°4, 2000. pp. 573-581.

The Late Neolithic site of Bousquetas was discovered in the Hérault valley, along the route of a gas pipeline. The excavations carried out in that area have enabled nine hollow structures to be uncovered, some of which correspond to levelled silos. The analysis of vegetable macro-remains gathered in the FS.2, FS.3 and FS.4 structures contributes to the definition of the agricultural nature of the site. Despite the scarcity of the material collected it has been possible to establish, thanks to а С 14 date, that this dwelling site on the plain was occupied during the Late Neolithic. These excavations have contributed to improving knowledge regarding Late Neolithic settlements. The Bousquetas site shows the complementarity between fortified hilltop sites such as the one found at Roquemengarde and small units on the plains which may have had some specific purpose., Résumé Le site Néolithique final du Bousquetas a été découvert dans la vallée de l'Hérault, sur le tracé du Gazoduc. La fouille a permis de mettre au jour 9 structures en creux dont certaines se rapportent à des silos arasés. L'analyse des macro-restes végétaux recueillis dans les structures FS.2, FS.3 et FS.4 contribue à définir le statut agricole du site. Si les mobiliers recueillis s'avèrent indigents, une datation Cl 4 confirme l'attribution au Néolithique final de cet habitat de plaine. Cette fouille contribue à une meilleure connaissance de l'habitat de la fin du Néolithique. Le site du Bousquetas illustre la complémentarité entre les habitats de hauteur fortifiés, tel celui de Roquemengarde, et de petites unités de plaine à vocation peut-être spécialisée., Carozza Laurent, Vialet Pascal, Bouchette Anne, Chevillot Pascale. L'habitat de plaine Néolithique final du Bousquetas à Paulhan (Hérault). In: Bulletin de la Société préhistorique française, tome 96, n°1, 1999. pp. 39-52.