This article presents the results of two series of micro-PIXE/PIGE analysis on mammoth ivory samp... more This article presents the results of two series of micro-PIXE/PIGE analysis on mammoth ivory samples from four Aurignacian sites in France (Abri Castanet, Grotte d'Isturitz) and Germany (Hohle Fels, Vogelherd). Specifically, we report variation in ivory preservation as indicated by fluorine (F) content and ratios of MgO/CaO from Aurignacian horizons known to contain ivory industries. Though all samples derive from respectively homogenous sedimentary contexts, results show very different pattern of F- content variation among sites. F uptake in ivory is a more complex process than that observed for bone, and the structural/morphological reasons for this are explained. High-resolution data on the archaeo- logical context of the samples from Abri Castanet also allows for examination of the effects of horizontal and vertical distribution on F-content and the sorting of F-content data by sedimentary unit. A definitive model for fluorine uptake during ivory diagenesis will require furt...
We can trace the beginnings of our knowledge of early Upper Paleolithic (Aurignacian) use of fire... more We can trace the beginnings of our knowledge of early Upper Paleolithic (Aurignacian) use of fire to the pioneering 1910-1911 excavations at Abri Blanchard undertaken by Louis Didon and Marcel Castanet. At Blanchard, the excavators recognized and described fire structures that correspond in many ways to features excavated more recently in Western and Central Europe. Here, we address the issue of heat and light management in the early Upper Paleolithic, demonstrating a pattern that builds on these early excavations but that is refined through our recent field operations. Topics to be discussed include (1) recently excavated fire structures that suggest complex fire management and use, (2) the seemingly massive use of bone as fuel in most early Aurignacian sites, and (3) the anchoring of skin structures for purposes of heat retention with fireplaces behind animal-skin walls. Furthermore, new data on activities around fireplaces make it possible to infer social and organizational aspects of fire structures within Au-rignacian living spaces. The vast majority of early Aurignacian occupations, most of them now dated to between 33,000 and 32,000 BP (uncalibrated), occurred on a previously unoccupied bedrock platform into which the occupants dug their fire features.
We can trace the beginnings of our knowledge of early Upper Paleolithic (Aurignacian) use of fire... more We can trace the beginnings of our knowledge of early Upper Paleolithic (Aurignacian) use of fire to the pioneering 1910–1911 excavations at Abri Blanchard undertaken by Louis Didon and Marcel Castanet. At Blanchard, the excavators recognized and described fire structures that correspond in many ways to features excavated more recently in Western and Central Europe. Here, we address the issue of heat and light management in the early Upper Paleolithic, demonstrating a pattern that builds on these early excavations but that is refined through our recent field operations. Topics to be discussed include (1) recently excavated fire structures that suggest complex fire management and use, (2) the seemingly massive use of bone as fuel in most early Aurignacian sites, and (3) the anchoring of skin structures for purposes of heat retention with fireplaces behind animal-skin walls. Furthermore, new data on activities around fireplaces make it possible to infer social and organizational aspects of fire structures within Aurignacian living spaces. The vast majority of early Aurignacian occupations, most of them now dated to between 33,000 and 32,000 BP (uncalibrated), occurred on a previously unoccupied bedrock platform into which the occupants dug their fire features.
... Marilyn A. Winkleby Ph.D. 1 and Randall White MD 2 ... The authors thank Barry Del Buono of t... more ... Marilyn A. Winkleby Ph.D. 1 and Randall White MD 2 ... The authors thank Barry Del Buono of the Emergency Housing Consortium and John Hall of the Health Care for the Homeless Project for access to the study population; Laurie Davis, Diane Fleshin, Rachel Marcus, Laurie ...
Le matériel découvert dans les niveaux de l’Aurignacien archaïque d’Isturitz constitue un corpus ... more Le matériel découvert dans les niveaux de l’Aurignacien archaïque d’Isturitz constitue un corpus privilégié pour l’étude des comportements humains au début du Paléolithique supérieur. Le croisement des données issues de l’analyse archéozoologique et de la technologie osseuse livre de précieux renseignements quant aux activités qui se sont déroulées dans ce gisement. Cette approche permet de préciser les intentions qui ont guidé ces hommes dans le choix et le traitement des espèces animales. Durant l’Aurignacien archaïque, Isturitz apparaît comme un lieu privilégié pour la chasse au cheval, même si d’autres espèces complètent la diète de ces hommes. D’autres activités y ont été pratiquées, ce que retranscrit notamment une riche industrie en matières dures animales (os, bois de cervidé, ivoire, coquillage). Le matériel osseux mis au jour permet d’appréhender la façon dont ces deux sphères se sont structurées l’une par rapport à l’autre. Il apparaît ainsi que les animaux ont, pour la p...
Résumé/Abstract Il n'est dorénavant plus possible de considérer les objets de parure comme d... more Résumé/Abstract Il n'est dorénavant plus possible de considérer les objets de parure comme de simples bibelots. Au contraire, ces derniers représentent des témoins fondamentaux des plus anciennes sociétés du Paléolithique supérieur. La parure du site ...
This article presents the results of two series of micro-PIXE/PIGE analysis on mammoth ivory samp... more This article presents the results of two series of micro-PIXE/PIGE analysis on mammoth ivory samples from four Aurignacian sites in France (Abri Castanet, Grotte d'Isturitz) and Germany (Hohle Fels, Vogelherd). Specifically, we report variation in ivory preservation as indicated by fluorine (F) content and ratios of MgO/CaO from Aurignacian horizons known to contain ivory industries. Though all samples derive from respectively homogenous sedimentary contexts, results show very different pattern of F- content variation among sites. F uptake in ivory is a more complex process than that observed for bone, and the structural/morphological reasons for this are explained. High-resolution data on the archaeo- logical context of the samples from Abri Castanet also allows for examination of the effects of horizontal and vertical distribution on F-content and the sorting of F-content data by sedimentary unit. A definitive model for fluorine uptake during ivory diagenesis will require furt...
We can trace the beginnings of our knowledge of early Upper Paleolithic (Aurignacian) use of fire... more We can trace the beginnings of our knowledge of early Upper Paleolithic (Aurignacian) use of fire to the pioneering 1910-1911 excavations at Abri Blanchard undertaken by Louis Didon and Marcel Castanet. At Blanchard, the excavators recognized and described fire structures that correspond in many ways to features excavated more recently in Western and Central Europe. Here, we address the issue of heat and light management in the early Upper Paleolithic, demonstrating a pattern that builds on these early excavations but that is refined through our recent field operations. Topics to be discussed include (1) recently excavated fire structures that suggest complex fire management and use, (2) the seemingly massive use of bone as fuel in most early Aurignacian sites, and (3) the anchoring of skin structures for purposes of heat retention with fireplaces behind animal-skin walls. Furthermore, new data on activities around fireplaces make it possible to infer social and organizational aspects of fire structures within Au-rignacian living spaces. The vast majority of early Aurignacian occupations, most of them now dated to between 33,000 and 32,000 BP (uncalibrated), occurred on a previously unoccupied bedrock platform into which the occupants dug their fire features.
We can trace the beginnings of our knowledge of early Upper Paleolithic (Aurignacian) use of fire... more We can trace the beginnings of our knowledge of early Upper Paleolithic (Aurignacian) use of fire to the pioneering 1910–1911 excavations at Abri Blanchard undertaken by Louis Didon and Marcel Castanet. At Blanchard, the excavators recognized and described fire structures that correspond in many ways to features excavated more recently in Western and Central Europe. Here, we address the issue of heat and light management in the early Upper Paleolithic, demonstrating a pattern that builds on these early excavations but that is refined through our recent field operations. Topics to be discussed include (1) recently excavated fire structures that suggest complex fire management and use, (2) the seemingly massive use of bone as fuel in most early Aurignacian sites, and (3) the anchoring of skin structures for purposes of heat retention with fireplaces behind animal-skin walls. Furthermore, new data on activities around fireplaces make it possible to infer social and organizational aspects of fire structures within Aurignacian living spaces. The vast majority of early Aurignacian occupations, most of them now dated to between 33,000 and 32,000 BP (uncalibrated), occurred on a previously unoccupied bedrock platform into which the occupants dug their fire features.
... Marilyn A. Winkleby Ph.D. 1 and Randall White MD 2 ... The authors thank Barry Del Buono of t... more ... Marilyn A. Winkleby Ph.D. 1 and Randall White MD 2 ... The authors thank Barry Del Buono of the Emergency Housing Consortium and John Hall of the Health Care for the Homeless Project for access to the study population; Laurie Davis, Diane Fleshin, Rachel Marcus, Laurie ...
Le matériel découvert dans les niveaux de l’Aurignacien archaïque d’Isturitz constitue un corpus ... more Le matériel découvert dans les niveaux de l’Aurignacien archaïque d’Isturitz constitue un corpus privilégié pour l’étude des comportements humains au début du Paléolithique supérieur. Le croisement des données issues de l’analyse archéozoologique et de la technologie osseuse livre de précieux renseignements quant aux activités qui se sont déroulées dans ce gisement. Cette approche permet de préciser les intentions qui ont guidé ces hommes dans le choix et le traitement des espèces animales. Durant l’Aurignacien archaïque, Isturitz apparaît comme un lieu privilégié pour la chasse au cheval, même si d’autres espèces complètent la diète de ces hommes. D’autres activités y ont été pratiquées, ce que retranscrit notamment une riche industrie en matières dures animales (os, bois de cervidé, ivoire, coquillage). Le matériel osseux mis au jour permet d’appréhender la façon dont ces deux sphères se sont structurées l’une par rapport à l’autre. Il apparaît ainsi que les animaux ont, pour la p...
Résumé/Abstract Il n'est dorénavant plus possible de considérer les objets de parure comme d... more Résumé/Abstract Il n'est dorénavant plus possible de considérer les objets de parure comme de simples bibelots. Au contraire, ces derniers représentent des témoins fondamentaux des plus anciennes sociétés du Paléolithique supérieur. La parure du site ...
Uploads
Papers by Randall White