Tag Archives: Néolithique

2014 # 6

2014-13–GUILLON

LATE MESOLITHIC AND EARLY NEOLITHIC COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS
IN SOUTH-EASTERN FRANCE:

the Contribution of Pollen Data
from the Loup and Cagne Plains (Alpes-Maritimes)

Sébastien GUILLON

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Abstract

During the first half of the Holocene, climatic conditions, anthropogenic conditions and sea levels underwent numerous and significant modifications. To qualify the response of the coastal alluvial vegetation to these changing conditions between the end of the 8th and the 5th millennia, a high-resolution pollen analysis of two sedimentary alluvial sequences (Le Loup and La Cagne basins) was realized. The results, obtained through a multidisciplinary approach, show the precise evolution of the coastal and alluvial ecosystems. The rise in sea level and climatic forcing played a fundamental role in this evolution. While anthropogenic forcing during the Mesolithic was not significant, the Neolithization of the region also contributed to shaping the coastal landscapes. From the first decades of the 6th millennium onwards, the recurrence of the Cerealia pollen type shows the importance of coastal alluvial plains in the production economy of the first Neolithic groups.

To cite this article

Guillon S., 2014 – The Determining Factors of the Coastal Environments during the Late Mesolithic and Early Neolithic in South-Eastern France: the Contribution of Pollen Data from the Le Loup and La Cagne Plains (Alpes-Maritimes, France), in Henry A., Marquebielle B., Chesnaux L., Michel S. (eds.), Techniques and Territories: New Insights into Mesolithic Cultures, Proceedings of the Round table, November 22-23 2012, Maison de la recherche, Toulouse (France), P@lethnology, 6, 146-152.
2014 # 6

2014-12–BASSIN

THE END OF THE MESOLITHIC ON THE SWISS PLATEAU
AND THE NORTHERN JURASSIAN MASSIF

Laure BASSIN

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Abstract

The end of the Mesolithic and the transition toward the Neolithic in Switzerland is currently being studied through the technical systems of lithic tool manufacturing at two important sites: Arconciel/La Souche (Fribourg, Switzerland) and Lutter / Abri Saint-Joseph (Alsace, France). The various innovations and/or continuities in the lithic industries of these two sites have been analyzed with the aim of determining the evolution and distribution of lithic manufacturing techniques at the end of the Mesolithic and understanding, within these assemblages, possible influences from the Neolithic sphere.

To cite this article

Bassin L., 2014 – The End of the Mesolithic on the Swiss Plateau and the Northern Jurassian Massif, in Henry A., Marquebielle B., Chesnaux L., Michel S. (eds.), Techniques and Territories: New Insights into Mesolithic Cultures, Proceedings of the Round table, November 22-23 2012, Maison de la recherche, Toulouse (France), P@lethnology, 6, 141-145.
2012 # 4

2012-06–BON-ET-ALII

Khoekhoe Pastoralists at the Junction
of Historical and Archaeological Sources

Proposed Models for Settlement Pattern and Technological Signature
of a Neolithic Population in Southern Africa

François BON, Laurent BRUXELLES
François-Xavier Fauvelle-Aymar, Karim SADR

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Abstract

The Khoekhoe pastoralist populations of South Africa are well documented in historical sources. Their archaeological remains nonetheless seem to differ very little from those of contemporary hunter-gatherer groups. Based on the discovery of a probable kraal at Kafferskuitje (KFS 5), on the Vredenburg peninsula, and on a geomorphologic study of the alluvial terrace system of the Berg River, we suggest that Khoekhoe groups made selective choices in their settlement on the lower terraces located inside the meanders. If we follow this predictive model, the discovery of the site of Volstruisdrif (VSD) enables us to propose the hypothesis of an archaeological signature based on the diagnostic association of ceramic remains and distinctive lithic productions

To cite this article

Bon F., Bruxelles L., Fauvelle-Aymar F.-X., Sadr K., 2012 – Khoekhoe Pastoralists at the Junction of Historical and Archaeological Sources. Proposed Models for Settlement Pattern and Technological Signature of a Neolithic Population in Southern Africa, in F.-X. Fauvelle-Aymar, Palethnology of Africa, P@lethnology, 4, 141-166.
2010 # 2

2010-10–DUFRAISSE-ET-ALII

The alteration of Neolithic wood charcoal
from the salt spring of Poiana Slatinei
in Lunca (Neamt, Romania):

a Natural Evolution or Consequence of Exploitation Techniques?

Alexa DUFRAISSE, Dominique SORDOILLET, Olivier WELLER

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Abstract

Located in immediate proximity to a salt spring still in use, the site of Poiana Slatinei in Lunca (Neamt, Romania) has yielded the earliest evidence of salt production in Europe (6050-5500 BC). It contains several dozen combustion features that form a large stratified mound of ashes, charcoal and rubified sediment layers.

In 2004, a vast sondage allowed detailed stratigraphic analysis and recording of the Early Neolithic levels and the collection of soil, charcoal and ash samples with the goal of more precisely identifying the techniques, management and interactions with the natural environment associated with salt production at this site.

While the micromorphological study led to the proposition of interpretations concerning the functioning of the fireplaces and the modes of salt exploitation, an anthracological analysis revealed a high degree of alteration of the wood charcoal fragments, or even the absence of ligneous structures. In this paper, we discuss this atypical preservation of charred particles through an analytical summary of the sedimentary, post-sedimentary and technical processes (choice of fuel material, evaporation method) observed at Lunca, and which could have played a role in their alteration.

To cite this article

Dufraisse A., Sordoillet D., Weller O., 2010 – The Alteration of Neolithic Wood Charcoal from the Salt Spring of Poiana Slatinei in Lunca (Neamt, Romania): a Natural Evolution or Consequence of Exploitation Techniques?, in Théry-Parisot I., Chabal L., Costamagno S., The taphonomy of Burned Organic Residues and Combustion Features in Archaeological Contexts, Proceedings of the round table, May 27-29 2008, CEPAM, P@lethnology, 2, 117-127.
2010 # 2

2010-11–REICHE

Heating and diagenesis-induced heterogeneities
in the chemical composition and structure
of archaeological bones from the Neolithic site
of Chalain 19 (Jura, France)

Ina REICHE

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Abstract

Bone materials, including numerous fragments of burned bones, are often found at archaeological sites. A comparative study of burned and unburned bone materials originating from the lacustrian site 19 of Chalain Lake, Jura, France, was conducted in order to assess their potential to yield information on past lifeways. The bones were analysed using various complementary physico-chemical methods (SEM-EDX, microPIXE/PIGE, FTIR, XRD, TEM-EDX) taking into account their chemical and structural heterogeneity. Through this “high resolution” approach, it was possible to observe the modifications of the bone mineral phase induced by heating and the processes of soil diagenesis, at the scale of the sample.

Our research has made it possible to distinguish the markers that characterise the diagenesis and heating of the specimens. The markers of heating could be used as quantitative indicators of the heating temperature reached by the bone prior to being buried. In addition, the results show different modification mechanisms depending on the possible heating of the bone prior to burying. Specifically, the concentration profiles determined on cross-sections by PIXE/PIGE make it possible to reveal an increase in exogenous chemical species at the centre of the heated sample, in contrast with the unburned bones which show higher concentrations of exogenous elements at the edge than at the centre. Thanks to the nanoscale structural analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), it was possible to correlate the specific modifications of the elemental composition with the size of the apatite crystals present in the specimens.

This method can now be applied to other archaeological problems such as the investigation of various funerary customs or the taming of fire, in the knowledge that it can be applied to a small number of samples that must consequently be carefully selected from a larger corpus in order to be representative.

To cite this article

Reiche I., 2010 – Heating and Diagenesis-Induced Heterogeneities in the Chemical Composition and Structure of Archaeological Bones from the Neolithic Site of Chalain 19 (Jura, France), in Théry-Parisot I., Chabal L., Costamagno S., The taphonomy of Burned Organic Residues and Combustion Features in Archaeological Contexts, Proceedings of the round table, May 27-29 2008, CEPAM, P@lethnology, 2, 129-144.
Varia

2009-VARIA–LE-QUELLEC

“Hunters” and “Herders” in the Central Sahara:

the “archaic Hunters” expelled from the paradigm

Jean-Loïc LE QUELLEC

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Abstract

With regard to the chronology of the rock art of the whole Saharan sub-continent, a very common opinion is that, starting from the VIIth millennium BP or even earlier, an older “Culture of the Hunters” had been replaced by groups of “Herders”, and that this change appeared in rock art as a modification of styles, techniques and, above all, of the set of themes associated with the imaginative world of these two populations. A series of recent publications renews this proposal for the Fezzan province, by presenting “archaic Hunters” as existing before 8000 BP, or even as dating from the very Late Pleistocene. After analysing the methodology and the arguments adopted by its authors, this thesis will finally be confronted with, and largely contradicted by, new observations carried out on the two plateaux of the Libyan Messak, i.e. in one of the supposed ‘homes’ of the aforesaid “Hunters Culture”.

To cite this article

Le Quellec J.-L., 2009 – “Hunters” and “Herders” in the Central Sahara: the “Archaic Hunters” Expelled from the Paradigm, P@lethnology, Varia, 388-397.
2009 # 1

2009-01–PÉTILLON-ET-ALII

NEW LIGHT ON PALAEOLITHIC, MESOLITHIC
AND NEOLITHIC PROJECTILE WEAPON ELEMENTS

Jean-Marc PÉTILLON, Marie-Hélène DIAS-MEIRINHO, Pierre CATTELAIN, Matthieu HONEGGER, Christian NORMAND, Nicolas VALDEYRON

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Stone or bone, transverse heads or points, barbs, foreshafts, harpoon heads… Projectile weapon elements are found in many forms in prehistoric sites, at least from the beginning of the Upper Palaeolithic. These artefacts first attract archaeologists with their great numbers, often dominating proportions in tool assemblages, but they are also interesting due to their clearly dynamic role in prehistoric material culture: the morphology and/or technical characteristics of many of them vary significantly through time and space, thus constituting a useful tool for archaeologists in the construction of chronologies and the definition of cultures. Researchers often integrate these variations with other types of transformations—such as ecological or economic ones—to build interpretative models of the evolution of societies.

To cite this article

Pétillon J.-M., Dias-Meirinho M.-H., Cattelain P., Honegger M., Normand C., Valdeyron N., 2009 – New Light on Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic Projectile Weapon Elements, in Pétillon J.-M., Dias-Meirinho M.-H., Cattelain P., Honegger M., Normand C., Valdeyron N., Projectile Weapon Elements from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Neolithic, Proceedings of session C83, XVth UISPP World Congress, Lisbon, September 4-9, 2006, P@lethnology, 1, 1-5.
Varia

2009-VARIA–THIRAULT

Issues and perspectives of the Alpine Neolithic:

the case of the Maurienne (Savoie – France)

Éric THIRAULT

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Abstract

In this paper, we question the significance of “Alpine” research on the Neolithic, applying both a theoretical and practical approach based on the example of the Maurienne valley (Savoie). The adjective “Alpine”, accompanied by that of “Neolithic”, might have only a geographic sense. We nonetheless believe that it makes an implicit reference to the “Alpine economy”, a concept developed by geographers to describe a modern economic system concentrated on the raising of bovids for the production of cheese. Though comparisons between the modern era and the Neolithic are dangerous, the concept of mobility seems to be a common point and a corollary of that of identity. The necessity of a regional approach led us to conduct research in the high Maurienne, an east-west axial valley on the internal Alps. An ancient, relatively abundant documentation and fieldwork conducted by several volunteer archaeologists shows several occupation points in this territory between 500 and 1500 m in altitude, with a few points as high as 2200 m. The first dated occupations are attributed to the Vasi a Bocca Quadrata culture (2nd half of the Vth millennium BC), but it is not until the Final Neolithic that two excavated sites give insight into the settlement patterns. Information concerning the resources exploited by human groups is rich in this case and reveals regional markers. Therefore, rather than think of an Alpine Neolithic, we prefer to speak of a Neolithic occupation in the Alps.

To cite this article

THIRAULT É., 2009 – Issues and Perspectives of the Alpine Neolithic: the Case of the Maurienne (Savoie – France), P@lethnology, Varia, 398-414.
2009 # 1

2009-08–HONEGGER

Lunate microliths
in the Holocene industries of Nubia:

Multifunctional Tools, Sickle Blades or Weapon Elements?

Matthieu HONEGGER

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Abstract

In Nubia, lunates (circle segments) are one of the most characteristic tools from the beginning of the Holocene to the end of proto-history, or even later. According to some interpretations, they are generally considered as being arrowhead or sickle blades. Taking into account archaeological examples, very diverse in their context and dating, the present article tries to summarize our knowledge on the question of their function. While previous studies have essentially taken into account the existence of traces or organic residues (gloss or polish, hafting glue, handle or shaft) and less often the context of discovery (tips driven into human bones or embedded in skeletons), they have not, on the other hand, considered the question of impact fractures and the dimensions of lunates. By collecting all these observations, it is possible to differentiate small sized lunates having mainly been used as projectile tips or barbs and bigger pieces meant to fit knives for cutting vegetal materials or sickles. We can however not exclude other uses for some of the lunates, as it is possible that pieces of medium dimensions could have had a functioned as arrowheads or sickle blades. Finally, we can observe a tendency through time toward a reduction in size of the lunates and a greater standardization of the pieces intended to be used as projectiles.

To cite this article

Honegger M., 2009 – Lunate Microliths in the Holocene Industries of Nubia: Multifunctional Tools, Sickle Blades or Weapon Elements?, in Pétillon J.-M., Dias-Meirinho M.-H., Cattelain P., Honegger M., Normand C., Valdeyron N., Projectile Weapon Elements from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Neolithic, Proceedings of session C83, XVth UISPP World Congress, Lisbon, September 4-9, 2006, P@lethnology, 1, 161-173.
2009 # 1

2009-15–STRATOULI-METAXAS

Projectile tips from neolithic layers
of Drakaina cave on Kephalonia,
Ionan island, w. Greece:

Technological “Conservatism” and Social Identity

Georgia STRATOULI, Odysseas METAXAS

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Abstract

Drakaina Cave on the cliffs of the steep gorge of Poros in the SE part of Kephalonia Island in the Ionian Sea, Western Greece, has yielded a distinctively large projectile tips assemblage (c. 200 specimens). This consists mainly of asymmetrical points, manufactured throughout the neolithic use of the cave (i.e. from mid 6th to the early 4th millennium), as well as of transverse arrowheads, whose use is restricted to the early phases of the cave’s occupation (in the early second half of the 6th millennium), and of tanged or tanged and barbed points, which appear in the site up to the early 5th millennium. Thus, a technological and typological ‘conservatism’ characterizes the assemblage in terms of manufacturing asymmetrical projectile tips using local raw materials over a period of approximately 1000 years, while tanged, as well as tanged and barbed points, made also of local cherts, appear late in Drakaina. This pattern contradicts to developments in typology and technology of projectiles that are well known since the beginning of the Late Neolithic (c. 5300 cal BC) in other parts of the Aegean Neolithic. The paper discusses patterns of morphological and technological variability of the projectiles deposited through time at Drakaina, their raw material exploitation and their life cycle, aiming at approaching functional aspects of the assemblage and understanding facets of the social behavior of site users. In the light of a contextual interpretation, it is proposed that the projectile points of Drakaina were associated with social events taking place periodically on the site.

To cite this article

Stratouli G., Metaxas O., 2009 – Projectile Tips from Neolithic Layers of Drakaina Cave on Kephalonia, Ionan island, w. Greece: Technological “Conservatism” and Social Identity, in Pétillon J.-M., Dias-Meirinho M.-H., Cattelain P., Honegger M., Normand C., Valdeyron N., Projectile Weapon Elements from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Neolithic, Proceedings of session C83, XVth UISPP World Congress, Lisbon, September 4-9, 2006, P@lethnology, 1, 309-327.