Combustion features and periglacial structures:
a New Taphonomic Analysis of Mousterian
Combustion Features at Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue (50)
Bertrand MASSON
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Abstract
The Mousterian site of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue (Manche), excavated by Gérard Fosse in the early 1980’s, has yielded around thirty combustion features. These features were excavated, described and interpreted without sufficient consideration of the periglacial processes that occurred during and after the human occupations. Based on observations of modern periglacial processes in active contexts, archaeological examples from sites in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region and experiments conducted at high altitudes by A. Pissart (1973 to 1987) and researchers in the ACR program “Taphonomy of Middle Palaeolithic assemblages in periglacial contexts” and “The Palaeolithic in the Quercy” (2004-2007), we reveal evidence of formal convergences between the periglacial structures and the forms and functions of the combustion features attributed to the Mousterian at Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue.
To cite this article
Masson B., 2010 – Combustion Features and Periglacial Structures: a New Taphonomic Analysis of Mousterian Combustion features at Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue (50), 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, 5-23.
Chronological signification
of LBK waste assemblages:
the Contribution of Anthracological, Typological and Stratigraphic Data
from Three LBK Sites in the Hesbaye (Liège Province, Belgium)
Dominique BOSQUET, Aurélie SALAVERT, Mark GOLITKO
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Abstract
Considerations on the chronological signification of Linearbandkeramik (LBK) waste assemblages are presented in this study based on data from anthracology, ceramic seriation and vertical distribution of pottery in pits. Interesting evidence concerning the occupation chronology is provided and a more complex vision of LBK refuse disposal is proposed than that generally accepted. In particular, it is argued that pits, as they appear today to archaeologists, represent no more than a few years of use. It is likely that refuse was first dumped in surface middens, and gradually displaced afterwards to the pits we excavate today.
To cite this article
Bosquet D., Salavert A., Golitko M., 2010 – Chronological Signification of LBK Waste Assemblages: the Contribution of Athracological, Typological and Stratigraphic Data from Three LBK Sites in the Hesbaye (Liège Province, Belgium), 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, 39-57.
From microcharcoal to macrocharcoal:
Reconstruction of the “Wood Charcoal” Signature
in Paleolithic Archaeological Contexts
Laurent MARQUER
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Abstract
The wood charcoal recovered during archaeological excavations represents only a partial image of the anthracological materials initially produced by human activities. Once buried, these objects are subject to diverse post-depositional processes that fragment them. While macrocharcoals (>500 μm) can be collected one by one and recorded within a coordinate system, or can be extracted by flotation and sieving during excavation, smaller fragments, such as “mesocharcoals” (500-160 μm) and micro charcoals (<160 μm), can be isolated from the sediments only through adapted procedures. A method of extraction and quantification through image analysis has thus been developed in order to record and evaluate the significance of the elements present in the finest sedimentary fractions. Such analyses have been applied in a Paleolithic context at the Magdalenian site of Grand Abri on the coteau de La Garenne (La Garenne hillside) (Saint-Marcel, Indre, France). This work shows that the quantity of charcoal found in the very fine sedimentary fractions (500-160 μm and <160 μm) is greater than that of the macrocharcoals. These quantifications allow us to reconstruct a “charcoal signature” from the macroscopic to the microscopic scale, and thus to identify, in situ, the smallest charcoal fractions resulting from the taphonomic processes that modified the archaeological site.
To cite this article
Marquer L., 2010 – From Microcharcoal to Macrocharcoal: Reconstruction of the “wood Charcoal” Signature in Paleolithic Archaeological Contexts, 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, 109-115.
Taphonomic impact of prolonged combustion
on bones used as fuel
Sandrine COSTAMAGNO, Isabelle THÉRY-PARISOT,
Delphine KUNTZ, François BON, Romain MENSAN
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Abstract
The combustion of bones results in numerous processes whose impact on the representivity of fossil bone assemblages is increasingly well known due to the multiple experimental approaches developed over the last ten years. Recent experiments conducted with outdoor hearths have shown the consequences of prolonged combustion on bone combustion residues.
The average loss of bone mass after combustion is 65 %. The weight of the fine fraction (ashes and fragments less than 2 cm) corresponds to more than one quarter of the residual mass of the remains collected, while the mass of calcined (i.e. white) bone represents an average of 77.2 % of the residues. Finally, the residual bone mass is not correlated with the duration of use of a hearth, but with the manner in which it is maintained. These experiments thus clearly document the significant role of fire maintenance methods on the nature and form of bone residues.
To cite this article
Costamagno S., Théry-Parisot I., Kuntz D., Bon F., Mensan R., 2010 – Taphonomic Impact of Prolonged Combustion on Bones Used as Fuel, 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, 169-183.
The action of weathering on burned bone:
an Experimental Approach
Magali GERBE
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Abstract
The alteration of bones following exposure to weathering is today well known, but it is possible that burned bones do not suffer the same type of changes since their physicochemical properties are modified by combustion. A series of experiments has been carried out with the aim of better understanding these reactions. These experiments form part of a more widespread attempt to better understand the impact of taphonomic agents on burned bones in order to estimate the distortions between bone material originating from experimental combustion and the fossil material.
Five experimental series resulting from the combustion of fresh cow humeri were exposed for eighteen months to weathering in a Mediterranean context. Several criteria were observed in order to highlight the impact of this exposure on the burned bones: degree of fragmentation, loss of bone mass, alteration of bone surface, influence of the degree of combustion (carbonised vs charred) and of the bone tissue (spongy vs compact) on the preservation of the material.
The results of these experiments mainly show a high fragmentation of the material (the small burned bones being in the majority), associated with a reduction in bone mass. In addition, spongy and charred bones have an increased sensitivity to the action of weathering, leading to their destruction. A preferential preservation of charred compact bone is thus expected.
To cite this article
Gerbe M., 2010 – The Action of Weathering on Burned Bone: an Experimental Approach, in Théry-Parisot I., Chabal L., Costamagno S., The taphonomy of Burned Organic Residues and Combustion Features in Archaeological Contexts, Actes de la table ronde, 27-29 mai 2008, CEPAM, P@lethnology, 2, 185-196.
Reflections on the potential
for preservation of burned bone based on the material
from Saint-Antoine (Vitrolles, Hautes-Alpes)
Maryline RILLARDON, Jean-Pierre BRACCO
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Abstract
The faunal assemblage from the open-air site of Saint-Antoine at Vitrolles (Hautes-Alpes, Epigravettian) has yielded an atypical composition of burned bones (NRT = 23 %), being composed mainly of charred compact bones. While in an experimental context a high proportion of charred bones is typical of the use of skeletal remains as fuel, their representation in archaeological contexts is generally low, particularly in comparison to that of the less intensely burned elements. Contrary to this general principle, the Saint-Antoine deposit shows a strong representation of charred bones in a difficult taphonomic context characterised by an acid sediment and by the intensive action of different taphonomic phenomena (weathering, sediment compaction, dissolution). The high representation of charred bones seems to result from a combination of various factors, including the purpose of the combustion (camp maintenance and/or use as fuel) and their intense fragmentation, together with a higher preservation potential for burned bones (compact and spongy), including charred bones, compared to unburned bone elements when they are buried in acid sediments.
To cite this article
Rillardon L., Bracco J.-P., 2010 – Reflections on the Potential for Preservation of Burned Bone Based on the Material from Saint-Antoine (Vitrolles, Hautes-Alpes), 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, 197-208.
MAN OR CARNIVORES?
STUDY PROTOCOL OF MIXED BONE ASSEMBLAGES:
the Example of Les Pradelles mousterian Site
(Marillac-le-Franc, Charente, France)
Sandrine COSTAMAGNO, Cédric BEAUVAL, Brigitte LANGE-BADRÉ,
Bernard VANDERMEERSCH, Alan MANN, Bruno MAUREILLE
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Abstract
In many archaeological assemblages, the presence of traces made by humans and made by carnivores on faunal assemblages raises the question of the respective roles played by these two agents in the accumulation and modification of the bones. This article presents a critical review of the different criteria taken into consideration in distinguishing between hunting and scavenging by men and by carnivores. The Mousterian site of Les Pradelles is analysed on the basis of this synthesis. From this study, it emerges that the anthropic impact on bones decreases from the base to the summit of the stratigraphical sequence, lower levels corresponding to sites of habitat (in a very broad sense) and upper levels corresponding to carnivore dens. In the lower sequence, the capacity of Neandertals to hunt all sizes of ungulates is clearly demonstrated. This study also shows the necessity of diversifying actualistic approaches in order to document the complexity of archaeological deposits. Finally, it indicates that the refitting method recommended by C. W. Marean (Bartram, Marean, 1999; Marean, 1998; Marean, Kim, 1998) for the determination of shaft fragments is not always necessary for the distinction between hunting and scavenging in assemblages of bones extensively ravaged by carnivores, the determination of shaft fragments using morphological criteria being, in most cases, largely sufficient.
To cite this article
Costamagno S., Beauval C., Lange-Badré B., Vandermeersch B., Mann A., Maureille B., 2009 – Man or Carnivores? Study Protocol of Mixed Bone Assemblages:the Example of Les Pradelles mousterian Site (Marillac-le-Franc, Charente, France), P@lethnology, Varia, 361-387.
Archéologie et Sciences humaines
