The Grotte du Renne at Arcy-sur-Cure (Burgundy, France) has yielded remains from several occupati... more The Grotte du Renne at Arcy-sur-Cure (Burgundy, France) has yielded remains from several occupation layers, extending from the end of the middle Palaeolithic to the upper Palae- olithic. The last Mousterian layer (XI), which precedes the Châtelperronian occupations (layers Xa, Xb, Xc, IX, VIII), was previously interpreted as a precursor of the transition com- plex. The new study of the lithic assemblage of layer XI, in the context of the other final Mousterian occupations in Arcy (Grotte du Bison, Galerie Schoepflin Rotonde, Grotte de l’Hyène) challenges this hypothesis. The Mousterian Arcy complex can be divided into three main techno-complexes: Levallois–Charentian, Discoid–Denticulate and Levallois Mouste- rian. We observed a rupture between the final Mousterian and Châtelperronian industries as regards all the aspects of the technical system; production methods, blank management, tool types, and some changes in raw material composition.
Eric Boëda, Roxane Rocca, Amélie Da Costa, Michel Fontugne, Christine
Hatté, Ignacio Clemente-Con... more Eric Boëda, Roxane Rocca, Amélie Da Costa, Michel Fontugne, Christine Hatté, Ignacio Clemente-Conte, Janaina C. Santos, Lívia Lucas, Gisèle Felice, Antoine Lourdeau, Ximena Villagran, Maria Gluchy, Marcos Paulo Ramos, Sibeli Viana, Christelle Lahaye, Niède Guidon, Christophe Griggo, Mario Pino, Anne-Marie Pessis, Carolina Borges & Bruno Gato (2016) New Data on a Pleistocene Archaeological Sequence in South America: Toca do Sítio do Meio, Piauí, Brazil, PaleoAmerica, 2:4, 286-302, DOI: 10.1080/20555563.2016.1237828
Les modèles de diffusion de l'Homme hors d'Afrique considèrent que les premiers groupes humains o... more Les modèles de diffusion de l'Homme hors d'Afrique considèrent que les premiers groupes humains ont peuplé l'Europe selon deux vagues correspondant chacune à une culture et à une technique différente. Les premiers peuplements, qui remontent au million d'années, se caractérisent par des productions d'éclats, associées à des outils sur galets. La deuxième vague serait porteuse de l'Acheuléen, puisque les premières industries comprenant des bifaces en Europe sont datées d'environ 0,7 millions d'années. Or, les données présentes en Europe centrale ont bien du mal à entrer dans ce cadre théorique. Pourtant sur le chemin des premiers peuplements hors d'Afrique, cette région n'a pas livré les données archéologiques auxquelles on aurait pu s'attendre. Les premiers indices d'occupation humaine antérieurs à 0,5 Ma sont rarissimes, les bifaces sont absents durant toute la durée du Paléolithique inférieur et les industries présentes sont originales. L'Europe centrale est-elle une aire culturelle spécifique au Paléolithique inférieur ? Ou est-ce que ce sont nos propres outils méthodologiques qui doivent être interrogés pour répondre à cet apparent paradoxe ? C'est à travers l'étude de l'industrie lithique de quatre sites que nous avons tenté de répondre à ces questions. Les deux premiers assemblages (Korolevo VI en Ukraine et Kärlich-Seeufer en Allemagne) sont datés aux environs de 0,5 Ma et ont livré une industrie basée sur la production d'éclats variés. Les deux autres collections, datées autour de 0,4–0,3 Ma (Vértesszölös en Hongrie et Bilzingsleben en Allemagne) se caractérisent au contraire par une industrie basée sur la confection de petits supports sélectionnés. Les résultats de l'étude des premières industries en Europe centrale, nous invitent donc à reconsidérer la5521/# 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits réservés. question du peuplement de l'Europe et à nous interroger sur les critères pris en compte dans la définition des entités culturelles et des systèmes techniques au Paléolithique inférieur. # 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits réservés. Abstract Out of Africa diffusion models stipulate that the earliest humans reached Europe in two waves, each correlating with a different techno-cultural entity. However, the Central European data are difficult to incorporate into this theoretical framework. Despite being located on the Out of Africa route towards Europe, this region has not yielded the archaeological evidence that could have been expected. Evidence of humans occupations before 0.5 million years ago is sparse and handaxes are absent during the entire duration of the Lower Palaeolithic with the assemblages present being more unique. Does Central Europe represent a specific techno-cultural unit during the Lower Palaeolithic? Or, do we need to question our methodological tools to be able to find an answer to this apparent paradox? This study aims to answer these questions through the analyses of four lithic assemblages (Korolevo VI in Ukraine and Kärlich-Seeufer in Germany; Vértesszo ˝lo ˝s in Hungary and Bilzingsleben in Germany). The results of this study of the first lithic industries from Central Europe, allow a reconsideration of the question of the earliest occupation of Europe and the criterion taken into account in the definition of the different Lower Palaeolithic cultural entities and technological systems.
The question of European Acheulean diversity is currently widely debated. The obvious differences... more The question of European Acheulean diversity is currently widely debated. The obvious differences between northern and southern industries have led to several hypotheses regarding settlement dynamics. We propose to deal with this question from an off-centre perspective, by focusing on the data from Central Europe. Indeed, assemblages from this region can provide us with a different view of technical behavioural diversity during the Lower Palaeolithic in Europe. It is generally accepted that the Central European data are difficult to incorporate into the existing theoretical framework. Despite its location on the Out of Africa route towards Europe, this region is characterized by later settlement and the absence of handaxes before the Early Middle Palaeolithic. However, assemblage composition in Central Europe shares some features with sites from other regions, mainly in Southern Europe, such as the absence of handaxes and the presence of " small tools ". This study proposes to reconsider the diversity of tool blanks concealed within the term Acheulean through the analysis of five lithic assemblages. Three of them come from Central Europe (Korolevo VI in Ukraine, V ertessz} ol} os in Hungary and Bilzingsleben in Germany) and will be compared with two collections from Southern Europe (Cimitero di Atella and Ficoncella in Italy).
The situation of Central Europe during the Lower Palaeolithic seems to be original. Evidence of h... more The situation of Central Europe during the Lower Palaeolithic seems to be original. Evidence of human occupations before 0.5 million years ago is sparse and handaxes are absent during the entire Lower Palaeolithic. Despite being located on the “Out of Africa” route towards Europe, this region has not yielded the expected archaeological evidence. At the end of the Lower Palaeolithic, between 0.4 and 0.3 Ma, the lithic industries are mainly char- acterized by a small tool production. This typical production can be analyzed in two lithic assemblages (Vertesszo}lo}s in Hungary and Bilzingsleben in Germany). If those assemblages are original compared to the Western Acheulean, some elements can be liked to some other industries in Southern Europe. The results of this study of the first lithic industries from Central Europe allow reconsideration of settlement dynamics in Europe at the end of the Lower Palaeolithic. The classical division between Eastern and Western Europe can be discussed, according to the criteria in the definition of the different Lower Palaeolithic cultural entities and technical systems.
The site of Ficoncella, in northern Latium (Italy), represents a great opportunity to investigate... more The site of Ficoncella, in northern Latium (Italy), represents a great opportunity to investigate the modalities of a short occupation in a fluvial context during Lower Palaeolithic. From the results of radiometric dating, geological study and bio-chronological analyses, it emerged that the human occupation at the site, an ancient riverbank, occurred 0.5 Ma (MIS 13). This period can be considered as a key moment in the Lower Palaeolithic, with the first Acheulean, or mode 2 sites in Europe. The lithic assemblage of Ficoncella, without handaxes, is characterized by an overall small tool size, representing a very original reduction sequence and tool management. In order to investigate the human behaviour characterizing the site, we analyse the lithic industries, using a classical technological analysis, combined with a techno-functional approach and a use-wear analysis. The study of the lithic assemblage of Ficoncella may contribute to renew our image of the lithic industries without handaxes, too often ignored.
In this research, still at a preliminary stage, we have studied the lithic assemblage of Cimitero... more In this research, still at a preliminary stage, we have studied the lithic assemblage of Cimitero di Atella site (Basilicata, Southern Italy) with a technological and techno-functional approach, never applied to this material before. Previously, lithic implements were principally classified with a typological methodological approach. This site was ascribed to the Lower Acheulean, even if large tools found in situ are very few and not properly bifacially worked. This new analysis allowed us to note the presence of technical recurrences both in production and tool formation. The results have been consequently compared with those concerning other similar and almost coeval sites, finding many analogies in production strategies, but also some differences mainly due to shape and quality of the raw material. We underline the great scientific potential of this site and the whole area of the Atella basin, which can surely be included in the large debate on the first peopling of Europe and the diffusion of the bifacial technology.
The Ficoncella site in northern Latium (Italy) represents a unique opportunity to investigate the... more The Ficoncella site in northern Latium (Italy) represents a unique opportunity to investigate the modalities of a short occupation in an alluvial setting during the Lower Palaeolithic. The small excavation area yielded a lithic assemblage, a carcass of Palaeoloxodon antiquus, and some other faunal remains. The main objectives of the study are to better characterize the depositional context where the Palaeoloxodonand the lithic assemblage occur, and to evaluate with greater precision the occupation dynamics. A 25 m-long well was drilled just above the top of the terrace of the Ficoncella site and faunal and lithic remains were analyzed with current and innovative techniques. The archaeological site contains floodplain deposits as it is located next to a small incised valley that feeds into a larger valley of the Mignone River. A tephra layer capping the site is 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dated to 441± 8 ka. Collectively, the geochronologic, tephrochronologic and geologic data, suggest the site was occupied during MIS 13. The new results should prompt further research at Ficoncella in order to improve our understanding of the dynamics of human settlement in Europe during the Early to Middle Pleistocene.
Neanderthal Lifeways, Subsistence and Technology, 2011
The Middle Paleolithic settlement of Le Fond des Blanchards was discovered in 1996 in a gravel qu... more The Middle Paleolithic settlement of Le Fond des Blanchards was discovered in 1996 in a gravel quarry of the Yonne valley (Paris Basin, France). A general overview of the lithic industries allows for comparing them to assemblages of the Quina variant of the Mousterian. Thus, the Le Fond des Blanchards industries are of special interest, because the Quina variant does not exist elsewhere in the northern part of France. Therefore they do not resemble contemporaneous assemblages from the Yonne river valley or from the Paris Basin. Our study consists in a technological approach of the assemblages and a techno-functional analysis of the scrapers from level C. The understanding of these unique industries enables us to discuss the internal variability of the Quina facies and the lithic diversity of the late Mousterian. The D levels are resulting from different occupations during cold climatic conditions in an open landscape. The lithic artifacts configuration shows that all stages of the flake production in the chaîne opératoire are represented in situ. Formal tools are rare. The lithic production systems of Le Fond des Blanchards are both, classical Quina and classical Levallois. Beyond the typological and technological differences, that leads us to revise our definitions, and to look anew at the variability of the neanderthalian lithic industries.
Résumé Le site paléolithique moyen du Fond des Blanchards a été découvert en 1996 dans une graviè... more Résumé Le site paléolithique moyen du Fond des Blanchards a été découvert en 1996 dans une gravière de la basse vallée de l'Yonne. Il est inclus dans une nappe alluviale, la formation de Gron, qui constitue la nappe des 3 m de la vallée de l'Yonne. Fouillé dans un cadre programmé depuis 2003, le gisement a livré plusieurs niveaux d'occupation paléolithiques attribués au Pléniglaciaire inférieur ou au début du Pléniglaciaire moyen weichsélien. Les niveaux les plus anciens (DG, DB, D5, D4, D3 et D2) sont interstratifiés dans les dépôts d'un banc sablo-graveleux inclus dans un système à chenaux tressés. Les niveaux supérieurs (Da, D1) sont inclus dans des limons sableux de plaine d'inondation. Les niveaux D résultent d'une répétition d'occupations dans le même contexte naturel, le long d'une berge d'un bras de rivière. La faune mise au jour (Renne et Cheval) témoigne de conditions climatiques fraîches et d'un paysage plutôt ouvert. La configuration des vestiges lithiques montre que tous les stades de la production d'éclats sont représentés sur le site, de l'acquisition des blocs à la transformation des supports en outils. Les méthodes de débitage mises en oeuvre sont simples et permettent la production d'éclats de morphologies variées, les outils avérés (racloirs) sont rares. Dans le niveau C, le débitage est organisé afin de produire des grands éclats destinés à être transformés en racloirs. L'étude technofonctionnelle de ces racloirs, qui sont particulièrement nombreux, montre la production de différents types de supports sur lesquels la confection s'inscrit de manière spécifique. Les ensembles lithiques du Fond des Blanchards ont été rapprochés, sur les critères technotypologiques, du Moustérien du type Quina tel qu'il est décrit dans le Sud-Ouest de la France. Cependant, les analyses technologiques et technofonctionnelles permettent de réexaminer cette attribution. Les objectifs de production semblent être plus variés et la confection d'outils fait apparaître des morphotypes fonctionnels de racloirs précis. Où se situe donc cette industrie par rapport au Moustérien de type Quina ? Abstract The Middle Palaeolithic settlement of «Le Fond des Blanchards» was discovered in 1996 in a gravel quarry of the Yonne valley (Paris Basin, France). It is contained in an alluvial sequence, the Gron formation, which overlies the 3 ± m incision floor. The settlement has yielded several prehistoric levels attributed to the Lower or Middle Pleniglacial Weichselian substages. The lower levels (DG, DB, D5, D4, D3 and D2) are interstratified in a sandy bank deposit belonging to a braided channel. A loamy sand representing floodplain deposits contains the upper levels (Da, D1). The D
Out of Africa diffusion models stipulate that the earliest humans reached Europe in two waves, ea... more Out of Africa diffusion models stipulate that the earliest humans reached Europe in two waves, each correlating with a different techno-cultural entity. The earliest occupation, dating back to over a million years ago, is characterised by the production of flakes and pebble tools. The second wave is related to the Acheulean, since the first handaxe industries in Europe date back to 0.6 million years ago.
However, the Central European data are difficult to incorporate into this theoretical framework. Despite being located on the Out of Africa route towards Europe, this region has not yielded the archaeological evidence that could have been expected. Evidence of humans occupations before 0.5 million years ago is sparse and handaxes are absent during the entire duration of the Lower Palaeolithic with the assemblages present being more unique. Does Central Europe represent a specific techno-cultural unit during the Lower Palaeolithic? Or do we need to question our methodological tools to be able to find an answer to this apparent paradox?
This study aims to answer these questions through the analyses of four lithic assemblages. The first two collections (Korolevo VI in Ukraine and Kärlich-Seeufer in Germany) are dated around 0.5 Ma and contain industries that are characterised by the production of various types of flakes. Conversely, the other two assemblages (Vértesszölös in Hungary and Bilzingsleben in Germany) are typified by the selective production of small blanks.
The results of this study of the first lithic industries from Central Europe, allow a reconsideration of the question of the earliest occupation of Europe and the criteria taken into account in the definition of the different Lower Palaeolithic cultural entities and technological systems.
Il primo popolamento del continente europeo è spesso interpretato come risultato di più ondate mi... more Il primo popolamento del continente europeo è spesso interpretato come risultato di più ondate migratorie provenienti dall’Africa, attraverso il Vicino-Oriente e l’Europa Centrale. Le prime due sarebbero caratterizzate dalla insorgenza di uno strumento specifico: su scheggia per la prima (1.4 Ma), e bifacciale per la seconda (0.7 Ma). In questo modello interpretativo, noto in letteratura come out of Africa, l’Italia e la Spagna vengono considerate come zone periferiche, o cul-de-sac, ai confini dell’Europa. Tuttavia, è precisamente in queste zone che ritroviamo le più antiche evidenze mentre l’area intermedia, tra Vicino Oriente e Est della Francia, costituisce allo stato attuale delle ricerche un vuoto geografico di informazioni (Rocca, 2013, in press). In effetti, i primi siti in Europa sono quasi tutti localizzati in aree meridionali che affacciano sul Mediteranno (de Lumley et al. 1988, 2009; Peretto et al., 1998; Carbonnel et al., 1999; Aguirre & Carbonell, 2001; Arzarello et al., 2006; Arzarello & Peretto 2010; Toro-Moyano et al. 2011), cosi come le prime evidenze di bifacciali (Piperno et al. 1999; Barsky & de Lumley, 2010; Abruzzese et al., in press; Moncel et al., in press; Mosquera et al., in press). Questo paradosso è particolarmente evidente nella penisola italiana, area considerata per la sua conformazione e per la sua posizione tra le più periferiche, ma dove emergono gran parte delle innovazioni tecniche del Paleolitico inferiore e dove è rappresentata tutta la diversità dei sistemi tecnici di questo periodo. Questi dati spingono ad interrogarsi sul ruolo che ha avuto durante il primo popolamento dell’Europa. Si tratta di una regione d’innovazione, una zona di rifugio o di passaggio, di circolazione dei gruppi umani e/o delle idee? Come possiamo considerare, alla luce del record archeologico presente in Italia, le altre ipotesi di popolamento dell’Europa (Villa, 2001; Nicoud 2013; Gallotti, in press; Rocca et al. in press; Sharon & Barsky, in press)? Nel tentativo di rispondere a queste domande si analizzeranno, attraverso un approccio tecnologico e tecno-genetico (Boëda 2013), le industrie litiche provenienti da tre siti coevi e che restituiscono un’istantanea dell’Italia di 500 mila anni fa: Cimitero di Atella in Basilicata (Borzatti et al. 1997; Abruzzese et al., in press), Ficoncella nel Lazio (Aureli et al. 2012, 2015, in press) e Valle Giumentina in Abruzzo (Nicoud et al. 2015, in press). Tutta la variabilità tecnica presente durante il Paleolitico inferiore europeo è rappresentata in questi insiemi litici: una concezione “bifacciale” dello strumento nei siti del Cimitero di Atella e di Valle Giumentina, piccoli strumenti ritoccati rinvenuti sempre nel sito del Cimitero di Atella e in quello di Ficoncella e produzioni di schegge in tutti e tre i siti. Il confronto tra queste industrie ci permetterà di affrontare la problematica legata alla definizione stessa delle entità tecno-culturali descritte fino ad oggi per il Paleolitico inferiore in Italia (Palma di Cesnola 2001; Grifoni & Tozzi 2006), cercando di proporre nuove ipotesi sul popolamento del Circum Mediterraneo durante questo periodo.
Riferimenti Bibliografici Abruzzese, C., Aureli, D., Rocca, R., in press. Assessment of the Acheulean in Southern Italy: New study on the Atella site (Basilicata, Italy). Quaternary International. Aguirre, E., Carbonell, E., 2001. Early human expansions into Eurasia: The Atapuerca evidence. Quaternary International 75, 11-18. Arzarello, M., Marcolini, F., Pavia, G., Pavia, M., Petronio, C., Petrucci, M., Rook, L., Sardella, R., 2006. Evidence of earliest human occurrence in Europe: the site of Pirro Nord (Southern Italy). Naturwissenschaften 94, 107-112. Arzarello, M., Peretto, C., 2010. Out of Africa: The first evidence of Italian peninsula occupation. Quaternary International 223–224, 65-70. Aureli, D., Contardi, A., Giaccio, B., Modesti, V., Palombo, M.R., Rozzi, R., Sposato, A., Trucco, F., 2012. Straight-tusked elephants in the Middle Pleistocene of northern Latium: Preliminary report on the Ficoncella site (Tarquinia, central Italy). Quaternary International 255, 29-35. Aureli, D., Contardi, C., Giaccio, B., Jicha, B., Lemorini, C., Madonna, S., Magri, D., Marano, F., Milli, S., Modesti, V., Palombo, M.R., Rocca, R., 2015. Palaeoloxodon and Human Interaction: Depositional Setting, Chronology and Archaeology at the Middle Pleistocene Ficoncella Site (Tarquinia, Italy). PLoS ONE 10, e0124498. Aureli, D., Rocca, R., Lemorini, C., Modesti, V., Scaramucci, S., Milli, S., Giaccio, B., Marano, F., Palombo, M.R., Contardi, A., in press. Mode 1 or mode 2? “Small tools” in the technical variability of the European Lower Palaeolithic: The site of Ficoncella (Tarquinia, Lazio, central Italy). Quaternary International. Barsky, D., de Lumley, H., 2010. Early European Mode 2 and the stone industry from the Caune de l’Arago’s archeostratigraphical levels “P.” Quaternary International 223-224, 71-86. Boëda, E., 2013. Techno-logique & technologie: une paléo-histoire des objets lithiques tranchants. @rchéo-éditions. Borzatti von Löwenstern, E., Palchetti, A., Sozzi, M., 1997. Témoignages de l’Acheuléen inférieur en Italie méridionale: Le gisement du Cimitero di Atella (Basilicata). L’Anthropologie 101, 617-638. Carbonell, E., Mosquera, M., Rodrı́guez, X.P., Sala, R., van der Made, J., 1999. Out of Africa: The Dispersal of the Earliest Technical Systems Reconsidered. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 18, 119-136. Gallotti, R., in press. The East African origin of the Western European Acheulean technology: Fact or paradigm? Quaternary International. Grifoni, R., Tozzi, C., 2006. L’émergence des identités culturelles au Paléolithique inférieur : le cas de l’Italie. Comptes Rendus Palevol 5, 137-148. Lumley, H. de, Fournier, A., Krzekowska, J., Echassoux, A., 1988. L’industrie du Pléistocène inférieur de la grotte du Vallonnet, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Alpes-Maritimes. L’Anthropologie 92, 501-613. de Lumley, H., Barsky, D., Cauche, D., 2009. Les premières étapes de la colonisation de l’Europe et l’arrivée de l’Homme sur les rives de la Méditerranée. L’Anthropologie 113, 1-46. Moncel, M.-H., Despriée, J., Voinchet, P., Courcimault, G., Hardy, B., Bahain, J.-J., Puaud, S., Gallet, X., Falguères, C., in press. The Acheulean workshop of la Noira (France, 700 ka) in the European technological context. Quaternary International. Mosquera, M., Ollé, A., Saladié, P., Cáceres, I., Huguet, R., Rosas, A., Villalaín, J.J., Carrancho, A., Bourlès, D., Braucher, R., Pineda, A., Vallverdú, J., in press. The Early Acheulean technology of Barranc de la Boella (Catalonia, Spain). Quaternary International. Nicoud, E., 2013. Le paradoxe acheuléen. Documents Préhistoriques. CTHS Editions Bibliothèque des Écoles françaises d’Athènes et de Rome. Nicoud, E., Aureli, D., Pagli, M., 2015. Comportements techniques au Pléistocène moyen en Italie. Nouvelles recherches sur l’industrie lithique et le site de Valle Giumentina (Abruzzes). Mélanges de l’École française de Rome-Antiquité, 127-1. Nicoud, E., Aureli, D., Pagli, M., Villa, V., Chaussé, C., Agostini, S., Bahain, J.-J., Boschian, G., Degeai, J.-P., Fusco, F., Giaccio, B., Hernandez, M., Kuzucuoglu, C., Lahaye, C., Lemorini, C., Limondin-Lozouet, N., Mazza, P., Mercier, N., Nomade, S., Pereira, A., Robert, V., Rossi, M.A., Virmoux, C., Zupancich, A., in press. Preliminary data from Valle Giumentina Pleistocene site (Abruzzo, Central Italy): A new approach to a Clactonian and Acheulian sequence. Quaternary International. Palma di Cesnola, A., 2001. Il Paleolitico inferiore e medio in Italia. Museo Fiorentino di Preistoria "Paolo Graziosi, Firenze. Peretto, C., Amore, F.O., Antoniazzi, A., Antoniazzi, A., Bahain, J.-J., Cattani, L., Cavallini, E., Esposito, P., Falgueres, C., Gagnepain, J., Hedley, I., Laurent, M., Lebreton, V., Longo, L., Milliken, S., Monegatti, P., Olle, A., Pugliese, N., Renault-Miskovsky, J., Sozzi, M., Ungaro, S., Vannucci, S., Verges, J.M., Wagner, J.-J., Yokoyama, Y., 1998. L’industrie lithique de Ca’Belvedere di Monte Poggiolo : Stratigraphie, matière première, typologie, remontages et traces d’utilisation. L’Anthropologie 102, 343-465. Piperno, M., 1999. Notarchirico Un sito del Pleistocene medio iniziale nel bacino di Venosa. Osanna Edizione, Venosa. Rocca, R., 2013. Peut-on définir des aires culturelles au Paléolithique inférieur? Originalité des premières industries lithiques en Europe centrale dans le cadre du peuplement de l’Europe. PhD Thesis, Université Paris Ouest Nanterre la Défense. Rocca, R., in press. First settlements in Central Europe: Between originality and banality. Quaternary International. Rocca, R., Abruzzese, C., Aureli, D., in press. European Acheuleans: Critical perspectives from the East. Quaternary International. Sharon, G., Barsky, D., in press. The emergence of the Acheulian in Europe - A look from the East. Quaternary International. Toro-Moyano, I., Barsky, D., Cauche, D., Celiberti, V., Grégoire, S., Lebegue, F., Moncel, M.H., de Lumley, H., 2011. The archaic stone tool industry from Barranco León and Fuente Nueva 3, (Orce, Spain): Evidence of the earliest hominin presence in southern Europe. Quaternary International 243, 80-91. Villa, P., 2001. Early Italy and the colonization of Western Europe. Quaternary International 75, 113-130.
Il sito del Cimitero di Atella, localizzato ai margini dell’attuale abitato, è ubicato circa 10 k... more Il sito del Cimitero di Atella, localizzato ai margini dell’attuale abitato, è ubicato circa 10 km a sud del Monte Vulture (Basilicata, Italia meridionale). Lo scavo, condotto per più di vent’anni dal Prof. E. Borzatti von Löwenstern, ha riportato alla luce un’importante sequenza stratigrafica contenente due principali livelli archeologici attributi all’Acheuleano antico (Borzatti et al. 1990, 1997). Il materiale litico e faunistico, allo stato attuale delle ricerche, è datato a circa 0.63 Ma, sulla base di correlazioni stratigrafiche, vulcanologiche e biocronologiche (Borzatti et al. 1990; Ciolli 1997; Di Muro 1999; Zucchelli 2002). Un nuovo progetto multidisciplinare, avviato nel 2015, si propone di riattivare le ricerche su quest’importante sito, cercando di apportare un contributo alla problematica scientifica relativa al primo Acheuleano in Europa. L’obiettivo di questo programma è di rivalutare il contesto crono-stratigrafico, i processi di formazione del sito e le caratteristiche dell’associazione faunistica e dell’industria litica. La presenza di depositi lacustri, probabilmente in relazione con il bacino endoreico di Atella-Vitalba, e di diversi livelli vulcanici, attribuibili verosimilmente ad episodi eruttivi del centro vulcanico del Vulture, permetteranno sicuramente di collocare la sequenza nel suo preciso contesto crono-stratigrafico. Un nuovo riesame dell’industria litica (Abruzzese 2014, Abruzzese et al. 2016) ha individuato nell’insieme una grande variabilità di catene operative (grandi strumenti, piccoli strumenti, produzione di schegge). Questa diversità, al centro delle problematiche attuali sul Paleolitico inferiore, fa del Cimitero di Atella un sito rilevante che permetterà di fornire nuovi e inediti dati al dibattito scientifico sull’evoluzione dei sistemi tecnici durante il Pleistocene medio in Italia.
The site of Cimitero di Atella is located in the village of Atella (Basilicata, Southern Italy), at about 10 km of the Vulture Mt. The 20 years excavation of Prof. E. Borzatti von Löwenstern, brought to light an important sequence containing two archaeological levels attributed to the Lower Acheulean (Borzatti et al. 1990, 1997). The lithic implements and faunal remains are at the moment dated to 0.63 Ma on the base of stratigraphical, volcanological and biochronological correlations (Borzatti et al. 1990; Ciolli 1997; Di Muro 1999; Zucchelli 2002). A new multidisciplinary project, started in 2015, proposes to reactivate the research on this important site. The aim of this program is to re-assess the chrono-stratigraphical context, as well as the site formation and the features of fauna and lithic industry. The presence of lacustrine deposits at the bottom of the stratigraphic succession, related to the Atella paleo-lake, and of several volcanic layers in the uppermost part of the sequence, probably belonging to the Vulture Mt. eruptive events, will certainly allow us to re-collocate the sequence in a more precise chronological context. The new study of lithic industry (Abruzzese 2014, Abruzzese et al. 2016) shows that the assemblage contains in fact a great variability of reduction sequences (large cutting-tools, small tools, flakes production). This diversity, at the centre of the current research on Lower Palaeolithic, make of Cimitero di Atella an important site, which will add new and unpublished data to the debate on the evolution of technical systems in Italy during the Middle Pleistocene.
References Abruzzese, C., 2014. Il sito paleolitico di Atella (Pz) nel quadro del primo popolamento europeo: studio tecnologico dell’industria litica. Tesi di Laurea. Uni-versità degli Studi Di Napoli « L’Orientale ». Abruzzese, C., Aureli, D., Rocca, R., 2016. Assessment of the Acheulean in Southern Italy: new study on the Cimitero di Atella site (Basilicata, Italy). Quaternary International 393, 158-168. Borzatti von Löwenstern, E., Sozzi, M., Vannucci, S., Vianello, F., 1990. L’acheuleano antico del cimitero di Atella. Prime indagini sulla stratigrafia del sedimento e sulle industrie litiche. Studi per l’ecologia del quaternario 12. Borzatti von Löwenstern, E., Palchetti, A., Sozzi, M. 1997. Témoignages de l’Acheuléen inferieur en Italie Méridionale: Le gisement du Cimitero di Atella (Basilicata). L’Anthropologie, 101(4): 617-638. Ciolli N. 1997. Elephas antiquus Falconer & Cautley del Cimitero di Atella (PZ). Studi per l’Ecologia del Quaternario, 19: 25-33. Di Muro, A. 1999. Inquadramento tefrostratigrafico del sito acheuleano del Cimitero di Atella (Basilicata, Italia). Studi per l’Ecologia del Quaternario, 21: 7-14. Zucchelli, M. 2002. I cervidi dell’Acheuleano antico nel Cimitero di Atella (Potenza). Studi per l’Ecologia del Quaternario, 24: 13-17.
Au cours du Pléistocène moyen les données disponibles en Europe centrale sont souvent considérées... more Au cours du Pléistocène moyen les données disponibles en Europe centrale sont souvent considérées comme originales par rapport à celles de l’Europe occidentale. La pauvreté des données, l’absence de bifaces et l’apparition tardive du Levallois a souvent conduit à considérer cette région comme ayant une évolution technique autonome vis-à-vis des espaces limitrophes. Les travaux en cours sur cette région nous permettent réexaminer cette question à partir de nouveaux résultats. Dans cette communication, nous présenterons une synthèse des principales caractéristiques des occupations humaines en Europe centrale entre les MIS 10 et 6. Ces résultats seront comparés avec ceux de l’Europe du Nord-Ouest, en abordant les différences et les points communs entre ces deux régions en terme de système technique, de matière première, de gestion du territoire, des ressources et de l’environnement. L’objectif de ce travail est donc d’évaluer et de discuter les relations entre l’Europe de l’Ouest et l’Europe centrale à l’aube du Paléolithique moyen.
The situation of Central Europe during Lower Palaeolithic seems to be original. Evidence of human... more The situation of Central Europe during Lower Palaeolithic seems to be original. Evidence of human occupations before 0.5 million years ago is sparse and handaxes are absent during the entire duration of the Lower Palaeolithic. Despite being located on the Out of Africa route towards Europe, this region has not yielded the archaeological evidence that could have been expected.
At the end of the Lower Palaeolithic, between 400 and 300 ka in Central Europe the lithic industry are characterize by a small tool production. We will analyses this typical production thanks to two lithic assemblages (Vértesszölös in Hungary and Bilzingsleben in Germany). If those assemblages are original compared to the Western Acheulean, some elements can by liken to some other industries in Southern Europe.
The results of this study of the first lithic industries from Central Europe, allow a reconsideration of settlement dynamic in Europe at the end of Lower Palaeolithic. The classical division between Estern and western Europe, can be discuss, according to the criteria taken into account in the definition of the different Lower Palaeolithic cultural entities and technological systems.
The Grotte du Renne at Arcy-sur-Cure (Burgundy, France) has yielded remains from several occupati... more The Grotte du Renne at Arcy-sur-Cure (Burgundy, France) has yielded remains from several occupation layers, extending from the end of the middle Palaeolithic to the upper Palae- olithic. The last Mousterian layer (XI), which precedes the Châtelperronian occupations (layers Xa, Xb, Xc, IX, VIII), was previously interpreted as a precursor of the transition com- plex. The new study of the lithic assemblage of layer XI, in the context of the other final Mousterian occupations in Arcy (Grotte du Bison, Galerie Schoepflin Rotonde, Grotte de l’Hyène) challenges this hypothesis. The Mousterian Arcy complex can be divided into three main techno-complexes: Levallois–Charentian, Discoid–Denticulate and Levallois Mouste- rian. We observed a rupture between the final Mousterian and Châtelperronian industries as regards all the aspects of the technical system; production methods, blank management, tool types, and some changes in raw material composition.
Eric Boëda, Roxane Rocca, Amélie Da Costa, Michel Fontugne, Christine
Hatté, Ignacio Clemente-Con... more Eric Boëda, Roxane Rocca, Amélie Da Costa, Michel Fontugne, Christine Hatté, Ignacio Clemente-Conte, Janaina C. Santos, Lívia Lucas, Gisèle Felice, Antoine Lourdeau, Ximena Villagran, Maria Gluchy, Marcos Paulo Ramos, Sibeli Viana, Christelle Lahaye, Niède Guidon, Christophe Griggo, Mario Pino, Anne-Marie Pessis, Carolina Borges & Bruno Gato (2016) New Data on a Pleistocene Archaeological Sequence in South America: Toca do Sítio do Meio, Piauí, Brazil, PaleoAmerica, 2:4, 286-302, DOI: 10.1080/20555563.2016.1237828
Les modèles de diffusion de l'Homme hors d'Afrique considèrent que les premiers groupes humains o... more Les modèles de diffusion de l'Homme hors d'Afrique considèrent que les premiers groupes humains ont peuplé l'Europe selon deux vagues correspondant chacune à une culture et à une technique différente. Les premiers peuplements, qui remontent au million d'années, se caractérisent par des productions d'éclats, associées à des outils sur galets. La deuxième vague serait porteuse de l'Acheuléen, puisque les premières industries comprenant des bifaces en Europe sont datées d'environ 0,7 millions d'années. Or, les données présentes en Europe centrale ont bien du mal à entrer dans ce cadre théorique. Pourtant sur le chemin des premiers peuplements hors d'Afrique, cette région n'a pas livré les données archéologiques auxquelles on aurait pu s'attendre. Les premiers indices d'occupation humaine antérieurs à 0,5 Ma sont rarissimes, les bifaces sont absents durant toute la durée du Paléolithique inférieur et les industries présentes sont originales. L'Europe centrale est-elle une aire culturelle spécifique au Paléolithique inférieur ? Ou est-ce que ce sont nos propres outils méthodologiques qui doivent être interrogés pour répondre à cet apparent paradoxe ? C'est à travers l'étude de l'industrie lithique de quatre sites que nous avons tenté de répondre à ces questions. Les deux premiers assemblages (Korolevo VI en Ukraine et Kärlich-Seeufer en Allemagne) sont datés aux environs de 0,5 Ma et ont livré une industrie basée sur la production d'éclats variés. Les deux autres collections, datées autour de 0,4–0,3 Ma (Vértesszölös en Hongrie et Bilzingsleben en Allemagne) se caractérisent au contraire par une industrie basée sur la confection de petits supports sélectionnés. Les résultats de l'étude des premières industries en Europe centrale, nous invitent donc à reconsidérer la5521/# 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits réservés. question du peuplement de l'Europe et à nous interroger sur les critères pris en compte dans la définition des entités culturelles et des systèmes techniques au Paléolithique inférieur. # 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits réservés. Abstract Out of Africa diffusion models stipulate that the earliest humans reached Europe in two waves, each correlating with a different techno-cultural entity. However, the Central European data are difficult to incorporate into this theoretical framework. Despite being located on the Out of Africa route towards Europe, this region has not yielded the archaeological evidence that could have been expected. Evidence of humans occupations before 0.5 million years ago is sparse and handaxes are absent during the entire duration of the Lower Palaeolithic with the assemblages present being more unique. Does Central Europe represent a specific techno-cultural unit during the Lower Palaeolithic? Or, do we need to question our methodological tools to be able to find an answer to this apparent paradox? This study aims to answer these questions through the analyses of four lithic assemblages (Korolevo VI in Ukraine and Kärlich-Seeufer in Germany; Vértesszo ˝lo ˝s in Hungary and Bilzingsleben in Germany). The results of this study of the first lithic industries from Central Europe, allow a reconsideration of the question of the earliest occupation of Europe and the criterion taken into account in the definition of the different Lower Palaeolithic cultural entities and technological systems.
The question of European Acheulean diversity is currently widely debated. The obvious differences... more The question of European Acheulean diversity is currently widely debated. The obvious differences between northern and southern industries have led to several hypotheses regarding settlement dynamics. We propose to deal with this question from an off-centre perspective, by focusing on the data from Central Europe. Indeed, assemblages from this region can provide us with a different view of technical behavioural diversity during the Lower Palaeolithic in Europe. It is generally accepted that the Central European data are difficult to incorporate into the existing theoretical framework. Despite its location on the Out of Africa route towards Europe, this region is characterized by later settlement and the absence of handaxes before the Early Middle Palaeolithic. However, assemblage composition in Central Europe shares some features with sites from other regions, mainly in Southern Europe, such as the absence of handaxes and the presence of " small tools ". This study proposes to reconsider the diversity of tool blanks concealed within the term Acheulean through the analysis of five lithic assemblages. Three of them come from Central Europe (Korolevo VI in Ukraine, V ertessz} ol} os in Hungary and Bilzingsleben in Germany) and will be compared with two collections from Southern Europe (Cimitero di Atella and Ficoncella in Italy).
The situation of Central Europe during the Lower Palaeolithic seems to be original. Evidence of h... more The situation of Central Europe during the Lower Palaeolithic seems to be original. Evidence of human occupations before 0.5 million years ago is sparse and handaxes are absent during the entire Lower Palaeolithic. Despite being located on the “Out of Africa” route towards Europe, this region has not yielded the expected archaeological evidence. At the end of the Lower Palaeolithic, between 0.4 and 0.3 Ma, the lithic industries are mainly char- acterized by a small tool production. This typical production can be analyzed in two lithic assemblages (Vertesszo}lo}s in Hungary and Bilzingsleben in Germany). If those assemblages are original compared to the Western Acheulean, some elements can be liked to some other industries in Southern Europe. The results of this study of the first lithic industries from Central Europe allow reconsideration of settlement dynamics in Europe at the end of the Lower Palaeolithic. The classical division between Eastern and Western Europe can be discussed, according to the criteria in the definition of the different Lower Palaeolithic cultural entities and technical systems.
The site of Ficoncella, in northern Latium (Italy), represents a great opportunity to investigate... more The site of Ficoncella, in northern Latium (Italy), represents a great opportunity to investigate the modalities of a short occupation in a fluvial context during Lower Palaeolithic. From the results of radiometric dating, geological study and bio-chronological analyses, it emerged that the human occupation at the site, an ancient riverbank, occurred 0.5 Ma (MIS 13). This period can be considered as a key moment in the Lower Palaeolithic, with the first Acheulean, or mode 2 sites in Europe. The lithic assemblage of Ficoncella, without handaxes, is characterized by an overall small tool size, representing a very original reduction sequence and tool management. In order to investigate the human behaviour characterizing the site, we analyse the lithic industries, using a classical technological analysis, combined with a techno-functional approach and a use-wear analysis. The study of the lithic assemblage of Ficoncella may contribute to renew our image of the lithic industries without handaxes, too often ignored.
In this research, still at a preliminary stage, we have studied the lithic assemblage of Cimitero... more In this research, still at a preliminary stage, we have studied the lithic assemblage of Cimitero di Atella site (Basilicata, Southern Italy) with a technological and techno-functional approach, never applied to this material before. Previously, lithic implements were principally classified with a typological methodological approach. This site was ascribed to the Lower Acheulean, even if large tools found in situ are very few and not properly bifacially worked. This new analysis allowed us to note the presence of technical recurrences both in production and tool formation. The results have been consequently compared with those concerning other similar and almost coeval sites, finding many analogies in production strategies, but also some differences mainly due to shape and quality of the raw material. We underline the great scientific potential of this site and the whole area of the Atella basin, which can surely be included in the large debate on the first peopling of Europe and the diffusion of the bifacial technology.
The Ficoncella site in northern Latium (Italy) represents a unique opportunity to investigate the... more The Ficoncella site in northern Latium (Italy) represents a unique opportunity to investigate the modalities of a short occupation in an alluvial setting during the Lower Palaeolithic. The small excavation area yielded a lithic assemblage, a carcass of Palaeoloxodon antiquus, and some other faunal remains. The main objectives of the study are to better characterize the depositional context where the Palaeoloxodonand the lithic assemblage occur, and to evaluate with greater precision the occupation dynamics. A 25 m-long well was drilled just above the top of the terrace of the Ficoncella site and faunal and lithic remains were analyzed with current and innovative techniques. The archaeological site contains floodplain deposits as it is located next to a small incised valley that feeds into a larger valley of the Mignone River. A tephra layer capping the site is 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dated to 441± 8 ka. Collectively, the geochronologic, tephrochronologic and geologic data, suggest the site was occupied during MIS 13. The new results should prompt further research at Ficoncella in order to improve our understanding of the dynamics of human settlement in Europe during the Early to Middle Pleistocene.
Neanderthal Lifeways, Subsistence and Technology, 2011
The Middle Paleolithic settlement of Le Fond des Blanchards was discovered in 1996 in a gravel qu... more The Middle Paleolithic settlement of Le Fond des Blanchards was discovered in 1996 in a gravel quarry of the Yonne valley (Paris Basin, France). A general overview of the lithic industries allows for comparing them to assemblages of the Quina variant of the Mousterian. Thus, the Le Fond des Blanchards industries are of special interest, because the Quina variant does not exist elsewhere in the northern part of France. Therefore they do not resemble contemporaneous assemblages from the Yonne river valley or from the Paris Basin. Our study consists in a technological approach of the assemblages and a techno-functional analysis of the scrapers from level C. The understanding of these unique industries enables us to discuss the internal variability of the Quina facies and the lithic diversity of the late Mousterian. The D levels are resulting from different occupations during cold climatic conditions in an open landscape. The lithic artifacts configuration shows that all stages of the flake production in the chaîne opératoire are represented in situ. Formal tools are rare. The lithic production systems of Le Fond des Blanchards are both, classical Quina and classical Levallois. Beyond the typological and technological differences, that leads us to revise our definitions, and to look anew at the variability of the neanderthalian lithic industries.
Résumé Le site paléolithique moyen du Fond des Blanchards a été découvert en 1996 dans une graviè... more Résumé Le site paléolithique moyen du Fond des Blanchards a été découvert en 1996 dans une gravière de la basse vallée de l'Yonne. Il est inclus dans une nappe alluviale, la formation de Gron, qui constitue la nappe des 3 m de la vallée de l'Yonne. Fouillé dans un cadre programmé depuis 2003, le gisement a livré plusieurs niveaux d'occupation paléolithiques attribués au Pléniglaciaire inférieur ou au début du Pléniglaciaire moyen weichsélien. Les niveaux les plus anciens (DG, DB, D5, D4, D3 et D2) sont interstratifiés dans les dépôts d'un banc sablo-graveleux inclus dans un système à chenaux tressés. Les niveaux supérieurs (Da, D1) sont inclus dans des limons sableux de plaine d'inondation. Les niveaux D résultent d'une répétition d'occupations dans le même contexte naturel, le long d'une berge d'un bras de rivière. La faune mise au jour (Renne et Cheval) témoigne de conditions climatiques fraîches et d'un paysage plutôt ouvert. La configuration des vestiges lithiques montre que tous les stades de la production d'éclats sont représentés sur le site, de l'acquisition des blocs à la transformation des supports en outils. Les méthodes de débitage mises en oeuvre sont simples et permettent la production d'éclats de morphologies variées, les outils avérés (racloirs) sont rares. Dans le niveau C, le débitage est organisé afin de produire des grands éclats destinés à être transformés en racloirs. L'étude technofonctionnelle de ces racloirs, qui sont particulièrement nombreux, montre la production de différents types de supports sur lesquels la confection s'inscrit de manière spécifique. Les ensembles lithiques du Fond des Blanchards ont été rapprochés, sur les critères technotypologiques, du Moustérien du type Quina tel qu'il est décrit dans le Sud-Ouest de la France. Cependant, les analyses technologiques et technofonctionnelles permettent de réexaminer cette attribution. Les objectifs de production semblent être plus variés et la confection d'outils fait apparaître des morphotypes fonctionnels de racloirs précis. Où se situe donc cette industrie par rapport au Moustérien de type Quina ? Abstract The Middle Palaeolithic settlement of «Le Fond des Blanchards» was discovered in 1996 in a gravel quarry of the Yonne valley (Paris Basin, France). It is contained in an alluvial sequence, the Gron formation, which overlies the 3 ± m incision floor. The settlement has yielded several prehistoric levels attributed to the Lower or Middle Pleniglacial Weichselian substages. The lower levels (DG, DB, D5, D4, D3 and D2) are interstratified in a sandy bank deposit belonging to a braided channel. A loamy sand representing floodplain deposits contains the upper levels (Da, D1). The D
Out of Africa diffusion models stipulate that the earliest humans reached Europe in two waves, ea... more Out of Africa diffusion models stipulate that the earliest humans reached Europe in two waves, each correlating with a different techno-cultural entity. The earliest occupation, dating back to over a million years ago, is characterised by the production of flakes and pebble tools. The second wave is related to the Acheulean, since the first handaxe industries in Europe date back to 0.6 million years ago.
However, the Central European data are difficult to incorporate into this theoretical framework. Despite being located on the Out of Africa route towards Europe, this region has not yielded the archaeological evidence that could have been expected. Evidence of humans occupations before 0.5 million years ago is sparse and handaxes are absent during the entire duration of the Lower Palaeolithic with the assemblages present being more unique. Does Central Europe represent a specific techno-cultural unit during the Lower Palaeolithic? Or do we need to question our methodological tools to be able to find an answer to this apparent paradox?
This study aims to answer these questions through the analyses of four lithic assemblages. The first two collections (Korolevo VI in Ukraine and Kärlich-Seeufer in Germany) are dated around 0.5 Ma and contain industries that are characterised by the production of various types of flakes. Conversely, the other two assemblages (Vértesszölös in Hungary and Bilzingsleben in Germany) are typified by the selective production of small blanks.
The results of this study of the first lithic industries from Central Europe, allow a reconsideration of the question of the earliest occupation of Europe and the criteria taken into account in the definition of the different Lower Palaeolithic cultural entities and technological systems.
Il primo popolamento del continente europeo è spesso interpretato come risultato di più ondate mi... more Il primo popolamento del continente europeo è spesso interpretato come risultato di più ondate migratorie provenienti dall’Africa, attraverso il Vicino-Oriente e l’Europa Centrale. Le prime due sarebbero caratterizzate dalla insorgenza di uno strumento specifico: su scheggia per la prima (1.4 Ma), e bifacciale per la seconda (0.7 Ma). In questo modello interpretativo, noto in letteratura come out of Africa, l’Italia e la Spagna vengono considerate come zone periferiche, o cul-de-sac, ai confini dell’Europa. Tuttavia, è precisamente in queste zone che ritroviamo le più antiche evidenze mentre l’area intermedia, tra Vicino Oriente e Est della Francia, costituisce allo stato attuale delle ricerche un vuoto geografico di informazioni (Rocca, 2013, in press). In effetti, i primi siti in Europa sono quasi tutti localizzati in aree meridionali che affacciano sul Mediteranno (de Lumley et al. 1988, 2009; Peretto et al., 1998; Carbonnel et al., 1999; Aguirre & Carbonell, 2001; Arzarello et al., 2006; Arzarello & Peretto 2010; Toro-Moyano et al. 2011), cosi come le prime evidenze di bifacciali (Piperno et al. 1999; Barsky & de Lumley, 2010; Abruzzese et al., in press; Moncel et al., in press; Mosquera et al., in press). Questo paradosso è particolarmente evidente nella penisola italiana, area considerata per la sua conformazione e per la sua posizione tra le più periferiche, ma dove emergono gran parte delle innovazioni tecniche del Paleolitico inferiore e dove è rappresentata tutta la diversità dei sistemi tecnici di questo periodo. Questi dati spingono ad interrogarsi sul ruolo che ha avuto durante il primo popolamento dell’Europa. Si tratta di una regione d’innovazione, una zona di rifugio o di passaggio, di circolazione dei gruppi umani e/o delle idee? Come possiamo considerare, alla luce del record archeologico presente in Italia, le altre ipotesi di popolamento dell’Europa (Villa, 2001; Nicoud 2013; Gallotti, in press; Rocca et al. in press; Sharon & Barsky, in press)? Nel tentativo di rispondere a queste domande si analizzeranno, attraverso un approccio tecnologico e tecno-genetico (Boëda 2013), le industrie litiche provenienti da tre siti coevi e che restituiscono un’istantanea dell’Italia di 500 mila anni fa: Cimitero di Atella in Basilicata (Borzatti et al. 1997; Abruzzese et al., in press), Ficoncella nel Lazio (Aureli et al. 2012, 2015, in press) e Valle Giumentina in Abruzzo (Nicoud et al. 2015, in press). Tutta la variabilità tecnica presente durante il Paleolitico inferiore europeo è rappresentata in questi insiemi litici: una concezione “bifacciale” dello strumento nei siti del Cimitero di Atella e di Valle Giumentina, piccoli strumenti ritoccati rinvenuti sempre nel sito del Cimitero di Atella e in quello di Ficoncella e produzioni di schegge in tutti e tre i siti. Il confronto tra queste industrie ci permetterà di affrontare la problematica legata alla definizione stessa delle entità tecno-culturali descritte fino ad oggi per il Paleolitico inferiore in Italia (Palma di Cesnola 2001; Grifoni & Tozzi 2006), cercando di proporre nuove ipotesi sul popolamento del Circum Mediterraneo durante questo periodo.
Riferimenti Bibliografici Abruzzese, C., Aureli, D., Rocca, R., in press. Assessment of the Acheulean in Southern Italy: New study on the Atella site (Basilicata, Italy). Quaternary International. Aguirre, E., Carbonell, E., 2001. Early human expansions into Eurasia: The Atapuerca evidence. Quaternary International 75, 11-18. Arzarello, M., Marcolini, F., Pavia, G., Pavia, M., Petronio, C., Petrucci, M., Rook, L., Sardella, R., 2006. Evidence of earliest human occurrence in Europe: the site of Pirro Nord (Southern Italy). Naturwissenschaften 94, 107-112. Arzarello, M., Peretto, C., 2010. Out of Africa: The first evidence of Italian peninsula occupation. Quaternary International 223–224, 65-70. Aureli, D., Contardi, A., Giaccio, B., Modesti, V., Palombo, M.R., Rozzi, R., Sposato, A., Trucco, F., 2012. Straight-tusked elephants in the Middle Pleistocene of northern Latium: Preliminary report on the Ficoncella site (Tarquinia, central Italy). Quaternary International 255, 29-35. Aureli, D., Contardi, C., Giaccio, B., Jicha, B., Lemorini, C., Madonna, S., Magri, D., Marano, F., Milli, S., Modesti, V., Palombo, M.R., Rocca, R., 2015. Palaeoloxodon and Human Interaction: Depositional Setting, Chronology and Archaeology at the Middle Pleistocene Ficoncella Site (Tarquinia, Italy). PLoS ONE 10, e0124498. Aureli, D., Rocca, R., Lemorini, C., Modesti, V., Scaramucci, S., Milli, S., Giaccio, B., Marano, F., Palombo, M.R., Contardi, A., in press. Mode 1 or mode 2? “Small tools” in the technical variability of the European Lower Palaeolithic: The site of Ficoncella (Tarquinia, Lazio, central Italy). Quaternary International. Barsky, D., de Lumley, H., 2010. Early European Mode 2 and the stone industry from the Caune de l’Arago’s archeostratigraphical levels “P.” Quaternary International 223-224, 71-86. Boëda, E., 2013. Techno-logique & technologie: une paléo-histoire des objets lithiques tranchants. @rchéo-éditions. Borzatti von Löwenstern, E., Palchetti, A., Sozzi, M., 1997. Témoignages de l’Acheuléen inférieur en Italie méridionale: Le gisement du Cimitero di Atella (Basilicata). L’Anthropologie 101, 617-638. Carbonell, E., Mosquera, M., Rodrı́guez, X.P., Sala, R., van der Made, J., 1999. Out of Africa: The Dispersal of the Earliest Technical Systems Reconsidered. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 18, 119-136. Gallotti, R., in press. The East African origin of the Western European Acheulean technology: Fact or paradigm? Quaternary International. Grifoni, R., Tozzi, C., 2006. L’émergence des identités culturelles au Paléolithique inférieur : le cas de l’Italie. Comptes Rendus Palevol 5, 137-148. Lumley, H. de, Fournier, A., Krzekowska, J., Echassoux, A., 1988. L’industrie du Pléistocène inférieur de la grotte du Vallonnet, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Alpes-Maritimes. L’Anthropologie 92, 501-613. de Lumley, H., Barsky, D., Cauche, D., 2009. Les premières étapes de la colonisation de l’Europe et l’arrivée de l’Homme sur les rives de la Méditerranée. L’Anthropologie 113, 1-46. Moncel, M.-H., Despriée, J., Voinchet, P., Courcimault, G., Hardy, B., Bahain, J.-J., Puaud, S., Gallet, X., Falguères, C., in press. The Acheulean workshop of la Noira (France, 700 ka) in the European technological context. Quaternary International. Mosquera, M., Ollé, A., Saladié, P., Cáceres, I., Huguet, R., Rosas, A., Villalaín, J.J., Carrancho, A., Bourlès, D., Braucher, R., Pineda, A., Vallverdú, J., in press. The Early Acheulean technology of Barranc de la Boella (Catalonia, Spain). Quaternary International. Nicoud, E., 2013. Le paradoxe acheuléen. Documents Préhistoriques. CTHS Editions Bibliothèque des Écoles françaises d’Athènes et de Rome. Nicoud, E., Aureli, D., Pagli, M., 2015. Comportements techniques au Pléistocène moyen en Italie. Nouvelles recherches sur l’industrie lithique et le site de Valle Giumentina (Abruzzes). Mélanges de l’École française de Rome-Antiquité, 127-1. Nicoud, E., Aureli, D., Pagli, M., Villa, V., Chaussé, C., Agostini, S., Bahain, J.-J., Boschian, G., Degeai, J.-P., Fusco, F., Giaccio, B., Hernandez, M., Kuzucuoglu, C., Lahaye, C., Lemorini, C., Limondin-Lozouet, N., Mazza, P., Mercier, N., Nomade, S., Pereira, A., Robert, V., Rossi, M.A., Virmoux, C., Zupancich, A., in press. Preliminary data from Valle Giumentina Pleistocene site (Abruzzo, Central Italy): A new approach to a Clactonian and Acheulian sequence. Quaternary International. Palma di Cesnola, A., 2001. Il Paleolitico inferiore e medio in Italia. Museo Fiorentino di Preistoria "Paolo Graziosi, Firenze. Peretto, C., Amore, F.O., Antoniazzi, A., Antoniazzi, A., Bahain, J.-J., Cattani, L., Cavallini, E., Esposito, P., Falgueres, C., Gagnepain, J., Hedley, I., Laurent, M., Lebreton, V., Longo, L., Milliken, S., Monegatti, P., Olle, A., Pugliese, N., Renault-Miskovsky, J., Sozzi, M., Ungaro, S., Vannucci, S., Verges, J.M., Wagner, J.-J., Yokoyama, Y., 1998. L’industrie lithique de Ca’Belvedere di Monte Poggiolo : Stratigraphie, matière première, typologie, remontages et traces d’utilisation. L’Anthropologie 102, 343-465. Piperno, M., 1999. Notarchirico Un sito del Pleistocene medio iniziale nel bacino di Venosa. Osanna Edizione, Venosa. Rocca, R., 2013. Peut-on définir des aires culturelles au Paléolithique inférieur? Originalité des premières industries lithiques en Europe centrale dans le cadre du peuplement de l’Europe. PhD Thesis, Université Paris Ouest Nanterre la Défense. Rocca, R., in press. First settlements in Central Europe: Between originality and banality. Quaternary International. Rocca, R., Abruzzese, C., Aureli, D., in press. European Acheuleans: Critical perspectives from the East. Quaternary International. Sharon, G., Barsky, D., in press. The emergence of the Acheulian in Europe - A look from the East. Quaternary International. Toro-Moyano, I., Barsky, D., Cauche, D., Celiberti, V., Grégoire, S., Lebegue, F., Moncel, M.H., de Lumley, H., 2011. The archaic stone tool industry from Barranco León and Fuente Nueva 3, (Orce, Spain): Evidence of the earliest hominin presence in southern Europe. Quaternary International 243, 80-91. Villa, P., 2001. Early Italy and the colonization of Western Europe. Quaternary International 75, 113-130.
Il sito del Cimitero di Atella, localizzato ai margini dell’attuale abitato, è ubicato circa 10 k... more Il sito del Cimitero di Atella, localizzato ai margini dell’attuale abitato, è ubicato circa 10 km a sud del Monte Vulture (Basilicata, Italia meridionale). Lo scavo, condotto per più di vent’anni dal Prof. E. Borzatti von Löwenstern, ha riportato alla luce un’importante sequenza stratigrafica contenente due principali livelli archeologici attributi all’Acheuleano antico (Borzatti et al. 1990, 1997). Il materiale litico e faunistico, allo stato attuale delle ricerche, è datato a circa 0.63 Ma, sulla base di correlazioni stratigrafiche, vulcanologiche e biocronologiche (Borzatti et al. 1990; Ciolli 1997; Di Muro 1999; Zucchelli 2002). Un nuovo progetto multidisciplinare, avviato nel 2015, si propone di riattivare le ricerche su quest’importante sito, cercando di apportare un contributo alla problematica scientifica relativa al primo Acheuleano in Europa. L’obiettivo di questo programma è di rivalutare il contesto crono-stratigrafico, i processi di formazione del sito e le caratteristiche dell’associazione faunistica e dell’industria litica. La presenza di depositi lacustri, probabilmente in relazione con il bacino endoreico di Atella-Vitalba, e di diversi livelli vulcanici, attribuibili verosimilmente ad episodi eruttivi del centro vulcanico del Vulture, permetteranno sicuramente di collocare la sequenza nel suo preciso contesto crono-stratigrafico. Un nuovo riesame dell’industria litica (Abruzzese 2014, Abruzzese et al. 2016) ha individuato nell’insieme una grande variabilità di catene operative (grandi strumenti, piccoli strumenti, produzione di schegge). Questa diversità, al centro delle problematiche attuali sul Paleolitico inferiore, fa del Cimitero di Atella un sito rilevante che permetterà di fornire nuovi e inediti dati al dibattito scientifico sull’evoluzione dei sistemi tecnici durante il Pleistocene medio in Italia.
The site of Cimitero di Atella is located in the village of Atella (Basilicata, Southern Italy), at about 10 km of the Vulture Mt. The 20 years excavation of Prof. E. Borzatti von Löwenstern, brought to light an important sequence containing two archaeological levels attributed to the Lower Acheulean (Borzatti et al. 1990, 1997). The lithic implements and faunal remains are at the moment dated to 0.63 Ma on the base of stratigraphical, volcanological and biochronological correlations (Borzatti et al. 1990; Ciolli 1997; Di Muro 1999; Zucchelli 2002). A new multidisciplinary project, started in 2015, proposes to reactivate the research on this important site. The aim of this program is to re-assess the chrono-stratigraphical context, as well as the site formation and the features of fauna and lithic industry. The presence of lacustrine deposits at the bottom of the stratigraphic succession, related to the Atella paleo-lake, and of several volcanic layers in the uppermost part of the sequence, probably belonging to the Vulture Mt. eruptive events, will certainly allow us to re-collocate the sequence in a more precise chronological context. The new study of lithic industry (Abruzzese 2014, Abruzzese et al. 2016) shows that the assemblage contains in fact a great variability of reduction sequences (large cutting-tools, small tools, flakes production). This diversity, at the centre of the current research on Lower Palaeolithic, make of Cimitero di Atella an important site, which will add new and unpublished data to the debate on the evolution of technical systems in Italy during the Middle Pleistocene.
References Abruzzese, C., 2014. Il sito paleolitico di Atella (Pz) nel quadro del primo popolamento europeo: studio tecnologico dell’industria litica. Tesi di Laurea. Uni-versità degli Studi Di Napoli « L’Orientale ». Abruzzese, C., Aureli, D., Rocca, R., 2016. Assessment of the Acheulean in Southern Italy: new study on the Cimitero di Atella site (Basilicata, Italy). Quaternary International 393, 158-168. Borzatti von Löwenstern, E., Sozzi, M., Vannucci, S., Vianello, F., 1990. L’acheuleano antico del cimitero di Atella. Prime indagini sulla stratigrafia del sedimento e sulle industrie litiche. Studi per l’ecologia del quaternario 12. Borzatti von Löwenstern, E., Palchetti, A., Sozzi, M. 1997. Témoignages de l’Acheuléen inferieur en Italie Méridionale: Le gisement du Cimitero di Atella (Basilicata). L’Anthropologie, 101(4): 617-638. Ciolli N. 1997. Elephas antiquus Falconer & Cautley del Cimitero di Atella (PZ). Studi per l’Ecologia del Quaternario, 19: 25-33. Di Muro, A. 1999. Inquadramento tefrostratigrafico del sito acheuleano del Cimitero di Atella (Basilicata, Italia). Studi per l’Ecologia del Quaternario, 21: 7-14. Zucchelli, M. 2002. I cervidi dell’Acheuleano antico nel Cimitero di Atella (Potenza). Studi per l’Ecologia del Quaternario, 24: 13-17.
Au cours du Pléistocène moyen les données disponibles en Europe centrale sont souvent considérées... more Au cours du Pléistocène moyen les données disponibles en Europe centrale sont souvent considérées comme originales par rapport à celles de l’Europe occidentale. La pauvreté des données, l’absence de bifaces et l’apparition tardive du Levallois a souvent conduit à considérer cette région comme ayant une évolution technique autonome vis-à-vis des espaces limitrophes. Les travaux en cours sur cette région nous permettent réexaminer cette question à partir de nouveaux résultats. Dans cette communication, nous présenterons une synthèse des principales caractéristiques des occupations humaines en Europe centrale entre les MIS 10 et 6. Ces résultats seront comparés avec ceux de l’Europe du Nord-Ouest, en abordant les différences et les points communs entre ces deux régions en terme de système technique, de matière première, de gestion du territoire, des ressources et de l’environnement. L’objectif de ce travail est donc d’évaluer et de discuter les relations entre l’Europe de l’Ouest et l’Europe centrale à l’aube du Paléolithique moyen.
The situation of Central Europe during Lower Palaeolithic seems to be original. Evidence of human... more The situation of Central Europe during Lower Palaeolithic seems to be original. Evidence of human occupations before 0.5 million years ago is sparse and handaxes are absent during the entire duration of the Lower Palaeolithic. Despite being located on the Out of Africa route towards Europe, this region has not yielded the archaeological evidence that could have been expected.
At the end of the Lower Palaeolithic, between 400 and 300 ka in Central Europe the lithic industry are characterize by a small tool production. We will analyses this typical production thanks to two lithic assemblages (Vértesszölös in Hungary and Bilzingsleben in Germany). If those assemblages are original compared to the Western Acheulean, some elements can by liken to some other industries in Southern Europe.
The results of this study of the first lithic industries from Central Europe, allow a reconsideration of settlement dynamic in Europe at the end of Lower Palaeolithic. The classical division between Estern and western Europe, can be discuss, according to the criteria taken into account in the definition of the different Lower Palaeolithic cultural entities and technological systems.
Le Paléolithique inférieur en Europe est encore aujourd’hui analysé à travers des cadres issus d’... more Le Paléolithique inférieur en Europe est encore aujourd’hui analysé à travers des cadres issus d’une conception typologique des industries lithiques. Si l’étude même des outillages lithiques a considérablement évolué grâce à de nouvelles approches, les grands techno-complexes qui permettent de les définir restent basés sur des outils jugés caractéristiques (bifaces, outils sur galets, etc.). Dans le panorama européen, les industries d’Europe centrale permettent d’interroger nos cadres d’analyses. D’une part par leur caractère original, elles rentrent difficilement dans les complexes d’industries connus tels que l’Oldowayen, Acheuléen et le Clactonien ; d’autre part parce que sa position stratégique sur le chemin des premiers peuplements de l’Europe, questionne la pertinence des modèles out of Africa.
Mais l’étude des industries d’Europe centrale selon une approche technologique et techno-fonctionnelles (Rocca, 2013) a permis de mettre au jour la présence d’un outillage qui apparaît original, composé de petits outils, souvent confectionnés sur supports naturels sectionnés. Ces petits outils, présents notamment à Bilzinsgleben en Allemagne et à Vértesszölös en Hongrie, offrent un potentiel fonctionnel diversifié et sont obtenu selon des modalités de confection spécifiques. Ce phénomène technique présent en Europe centrale peut-il être considéré comme un système technique à part entière ? Quels critères peut-on utilisé pour le définir ? D’autres industries dans la même aire géographique (Europe centrale, Balkans) partagent-elles cette conception de l’outillage ?
Si la présence d’industries sans bifaces en Europe centrale est connue, des industries « à petits outils » sont-elle présentes au sein de l’espace Acheuléen ? Il semblerait en effet, que dans des sites avec ou sans bifaces, une composante de l’industrie lithique soit comparable à celle reconnue en Europe centrale. Ces assemblages, présents principalement dans le pourtour méditerranéens (Italie, Espagne, Sud de la France) ont-il des points communs avec les industries plus à l’Est ? Sur quels critères ?
L’objectif de cette session est donc d’envisager une part souvent négligée des industries du Paléolithique inférieur européen, probablement masquée par la présence imposante du biface. Il s’agira de comparer les industries d’Europe centrale entre elles (Europe centrale, Balkans) et avec celles de l’Europe du Sud (sud de la France, Italie, Espagne).
Si cette composante « à petits outils » est encore mal connus et donc mal définie elle a le mérite de nous obliger à reconsidérer les assemblages dans leur intégralité ; et surtout de tenter de repenser les cadres géographiques et culturelles qui permettent de faire avancer les connaissances sur les dynamiques de peuplement au Paléolithique inférieur.
Bibliographische Information der Deutschen Nationalbibliothek: Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek ve... more Bibliographische Information der Deutschen Nationalbibliothek: Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek verzeichnet diese Publikation in der Deutschen Nationalbibliographie, detaillierte bibliographische Angaben sind im Internet über http://dnb.d-nb.de abrufbar. Für den Inhalt der Seiten sind die Autoren selbst verantwortlich.
New data on lithic industries from both the “Acheulean” phenomenon in Western Europe (Nicoud, 201... more New data on lithic industries from both the “Acheulean” phenomenon in Western Europe (Nicoud, 2011, PhD) and the “small tools culture” in Central Europe (Rocca, PhD in progress) from 630.000 to 300.000 years allow us to reconsider the paradigm of the “Out of Africa” diffusion. Indeed, Lower Palaeolithic settlements in Eurasia are commonly explained as being the result of one or several dispersals of people and/or material culture from Africa. Several paths are suggested to reach Central and Western Europe: across Middle East and Eastern Europe and by the straits of Sicily and Gibraltar. Considering the Acheulean diffusion, the Out-of-Africa theory only works at a global scale and only if we agree to make Africa and Western Europe uniform dots: MIS 16 appearances in Italy are blended with MIS 9 appearances in England. Moreover, lithic industry is not considered within a technical frame and non-bifacial industries are totally excluded from the debate. According to literature, wide geographical and chronological gaps exist in the diffusion patterns. Also, the technical or at least typological variability of the Acheulean is well known but not described yet and Central European industries are usually only described by their non-bifacial nature. If the chronological, geographical, technical and cultural uniformity of both Western and Central Europe can be discussed, so can the Out-of-Africa pattern. Our study consists in a critical analysis of lithostratigraphic contexts and a consideration of technical, technological and chronological diversities from more than 45 industries of Europe, from every part of the historic Movius Line. They occur at Ambrona, Aridos (Spain), Barnham, Boxgrove, Elveden, High Lodge, Hoxne (England), Cagny, Soucy, La Celle, Saint-Acheul (France), Castel di Guido, Notarchirico, Torre in Pietra (Italy), Bilzingsleben, Dorn Durkeim, Karlich (Germany), Korolevo (Ukraine), Verteszölos (Hungary), Stanska Scala (Check Republic), Rusko and Tzrebnica (Poland). Pushing forward the Technological Lithic study, we used a “structural” approach based on techno-morpho-functional analysis (Boëda, 1997). We focused on how tools were built, then how the tool kit was made up and finally how the whole production was structured. To define these ancient and sometimes poorly elaborate lithic products, the concept of “chaîne opératoire” is not enough.This significant amount of technical data is set out on maps, MIS after MIS. It does not support the Out-of-Africa theory, within the current state of archaeological data. We suggest pushing forward some hypotheses, already expressed but still not exploited. One hypothesis pertains to the invention and the evolution of the “bifacial piece” within Western Europe. Another hypothesis relates to the porosity and the necessity to redraw the Movius Line. The technical diversity within two of the major “cultures” of the European Lower Palaeolithic industries is shown and can no longer be ignored. Also, it is essential to consider a chronological location of each appearance as precise as possible, to create any pattern at a global scale (each MIS corresponds at least a dozen of thousands years). Above all, we need to rehabilitate the whole Lower Palaeolithic and its inner variability, often hidden by obsolete cultural labels.
References: Boëda E., 1997, Technogénèse des systèmes de production lithique au Paléolithique inférieur et moyen en Europe occidentale et au Proche-Orient, Habilitation à diriger les recherches, Université Paris X-Nanterre. Nicoud E., 2011, Le phénomène Acheuléen en Europe occidentale, approche chronologique, technologie lithique et implications culturelles, Thèse de Doctorat (PhD), Università di Roma « La Sapienza » & Université de Provence. Rocca R., PhD in progress, Les premières industries lithiques en Europe centrale, les réalités archéologiques et les modèles de peuplement de l’Europe, Thèse de Doctorat en cours, Université de Paris-Ouest-La Défense.
When we talk about the first settlements of Europe, data for Central Europe are often ignored. Th... more When we talk about the first settlements of Europe, data for Central Europe are often ignored. This area is generally perceived as an original space (microlithic techno complex without bifacial pieces) or as very poor data (lack of reliable sites). How to move the debate on early settlement patterns, taking into account in a critical way, data of lithic industries? The problem of the identification of anthropical Industry is central but complex, given that these early human productions are "uncharacteristic." How to study these old industries and what are the criteria that enable us to consider them human? Do these industries have some affinities? What methodology can we use to compare them?
Depuis une trentaine d’années, la connaissance du Paléolithique moyen et supérieur est profondéme... more Depuis une trentaine d’années, la connaissance du Paléolithique moyen et supérieur est profondément bouleversée par le renouvellement des questionnements et des méthodes d’étude. De nombreuses données, neuves, ont été produites et interprétées notamment en termes technique, technologique et techno-économique. Elles permettent de discourir des comportements anthropiques à l’échelle du site ou du territoire et de placer les faits techniques dans une logique évolutive. Au regard des progrès certains de la discipline préhistorique pour ces périodes, l’appréhension du Paléolithique ancien semble bien faible.
Toujours régie par des catégories héritées des tenants de la typologie, la définition de cet immense complexe industriel, aussi synonyme d’une longue période, souffre avant tout de problématiques peu élaborées. La reconnaissance de l’ancienneté d’un site et de son caractère anthropique est souvent plus importante que sa caractérisation technique. Afin de faire exister les découvertes dans la petite communauté scientifique qui s’en préoccupe, les chercheurs sont amenés à rattacher les industries lithiques aux complexes culturels inventés dès les prémices de la discipline (« Oldowayen », « Acheuléen »...) sans plus de précision. Pourtant les chercheurs sont tout à fait conscients de l’obsolescence ou des limites conceptuelles de ces étiquettes culturelles. L’impossible conciliation de l’état chétif actuel des connaissances, du grand potentiel informatif des industries à la lumière des nouvelles méthodes d’étude et des modes de diffusion de la connaissance, maintient la recherche sur le Paléolithique ancien dans un certain engourdissement.
Depuis une décennie, des travaux fondés sur l’étude des caractéristiques techniques des industries lithiques, doublés d’un effort de déconstruction des paradigmes anciens et des étiquettes culturelles traditionnelles tendent à faire bouger les lignes du savoir en livrant des résultats roboratifs pour la compréhension des peuplements au Pléistocène inférieur et moyen. Les spécificités des gisements et industries lithiques du Paléolithique ancien rendent peu attrayants les faits techniques pour l’étude (rareté et mauvaise conservation des sites, séries lithiques numériquement faibles, ressemblances apparentes des industries, etc.) et nécessitent de laborieuses analyses pour les appréhender. Progressivement, les séries lithiques font part d’une complexité et d’une variabilité des comportements anthropiques, propres à cette longue période.
Lors de cette rencontre, nous interrogerons la notion d’entité culturelle au Paléolithique ancien au travers de plusieurs axes. Quels critères usons-nous pour définir des ensembles culturels? Comment la notion d’aire culturelle s’articule-t-elle avec l’idée d’évolution(s) ? Peut-on réévaluer les entités géographiques définies traditionnellement en Europe et en Afrique au regard des nouvelles données et des nouvelles méthodes d’étude ? Quelles sont les conséquences des nouveaux résultats techniques sur notre vision des premières dynamiques de peuplement ?
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Papers by Roxane Rocca
Hatté, Ignacio Clemente-Conte, Janaina C. Santos, Lívia Lucas, Gisèle Felice, Antoine Lourdeau,
Ximena Villagran, Maria Gluchy, Marcos Paulo Ramos, Sibeli Viana, Christelle Lahaye, Niède
Guidon, Christophe Griggo, Mario Pino, Anne-Marie Pessis, Carolina Borges & Bruno Gato
(2016) New Data on a Pleistocene Archaeological Sequence in South America: Toca do Sítio do
Meio, Piauí, Brazil, PaleoAmerica, 2:4, 286-302, DOI: 10.1080/20555563.2016.1237828
At the end of the Lower Palaeolithic, between 0.4 and 0.3 Ma, the lithic industries are mainly char- acterized by a small tool production. This typical production can be analyzed in two lithic assemblages (Vertesszo}lo}s in Hungary and Bilzingsleben in Germany). If those assemblages are original compared to the Western Acheulean, some elements can be liked to some other industries in Southern Europe. The results of this study of the first lithic industries from Central Europe allow reconsideration of settlement dynamics in Europe at the end of the Lower Palaeolithic. The classical division between Eastern and Western Europe can be discussed, according to the criteria in the definition of the different Lower Palaeolithic cultural entities and technical systems.
modalities of a short occupation in a fluvial context during Lower Palaeolithic. From the results of
radiometric dating, geological study and bio-chronological analyses, it emerged that the human
occupation at the site, an ancient riverbank, occurred 0.5 Ma (MIS 13). This period can be considered as
a key moment in the Lower Palaeolithic, with the first Acheulean, or mode 2 sites in Europe. The lithic
assemblage of Ficoncella, without handaxes, is characterized by an overall small tool size, representing
a very original reduction sequence and tool management. In order to investigate the human behaviour
characterizing the site, we analyse the lithic industries, using a classical technological analysis, combined
with a techno-functional approach and a use-wear analysis. The study of the lithic assemblage of
Ficoncella may contribute to renew our image of the lithic industries without handaxes, too often
ignored.
Thesis by Roxane Rocca
However, the Central European data are difficult to incorporate into this theoretical framework. Despite being located on the Out of Africa route towards Europe, this region has not yielded the archaeological evidence that could have been expected. Evidence of humans occupations before 0.5 million years ago is sparse and handaxes are absent during the entire duration of the Lower Palaeolithic with the assemblages present being more unique. Does Central Europe represent a specific techno-cultural unit during the Lower Palaeolithic? Or do we need to question our methodological tools to be able to find an answer to this apparent paradox?
This study aims to answer these questions through the analyses of four lithic assemblages. The first two collections (Korolevo VI in Ukraine and Kärlich-Seeufer in Germany) are dated around 0.5 Ma and contain industries that are characterised by the production of various types of flakes. Conversely, the other two assemblages (Vértesszölös in Hungary and Bilzingsleben in Germany) are typified by the selective production of small blanks.
The results of this study of the first lithic industries from Central Europe, allow a reconsideration of the question of the earliest occupation of Europe and the criteria taken into account in the definition of the different Lower Palaeolithic cultural entities and technological systems.
Talks by Roxane Rocca
Questo paradosso è particolarmente evidente nella penisola italiana, area considerata per la sua conformazione e per la sua posizione tra le più periferiche, ma dove emergono gran parte delle innovazioni tecniche del Paleolitico inferiore e dove è rappresentata tutta la diversità dei sistemi tecnici di questo periodo. Questi dati spingono ad interrogarsi sul ruolo che ha avuto durante il primo popolamento dell’Europa. Si tratta di una regione d’innovazione, una zona di rifugio o di passaggio, di circolazione dei gruppi umani e/o delle idee? Come possiamo considerare, alla luce del record archeologico presente in Italia, le altre ipotesi di popolamento dell’Europa (Villa, 2001; Nicoud 2013; Gallotti, in press; Rocca et al. in press; Sharon & Barsky, in press)?
Nel tentativo di rispondere a queste domande si analizzeranno, attraverso un approccio tecnologico e tecno-genetico (Boëda 2013), le industrie litiche provenienti da tre siti coevi e che restituiscono un’istantanea dell’Italia di 500 mila anni fa: Cimitero di Atella in Basilicata (Borzatti et al. 1997; Abruzzese et al., in press), Ficoncella nel Lazio (Aureli et al. 2012, 2015, in press) e Valle Giumentina in Abruzzo (Nicoud et al. 2015, in press). Tutta la variabilità tecnica presente durante il Paleolitico inferiore europeo è rappresentata in questi insiemi litici: una concezione “bifacciale” dello strumento nei siti del Cimitero di Atella e di Valle Giumentina, piccoli strumenti ritoccati rinvenuti sempre nel sito del Cimitero di Atella e in quello di Ficoncella e produzioni di schegge in tutti e tre i siti.
Il confronto tra queste industrie ci permetterà di affrontare la problematica legata alla definizione stessa delle entità tecno-culturali descritte fino ad oggi per il Paleolitico inferiore in Italia (Palma di Cesnola 2001; Grifoni & Tozzi 2006), cercando di proporre nuove ipotesi sul popolamento del Circum Mediterraneo durante questo periodo.
Riferimenti Bibliografici
Abruzzese, C., Aureli, D., Rocca, R., in press. Assessment of the Acheulean in Southern Italy: New study on the Atella site (Basilicata, Italy). Quaternary International.
Aguirre, E., Carbonell, E., 2001. Early human expansions into Eurasia: The Atapuerca evidence. Quaternary International 75, 11-18.
Arzarello, M., Marcolini, F., Pavia, G., Pavia, M., Petronio, C., Petrucci, M., Rook, L., Sardella, R., 2006. Evidence of earliest human occurrence in Europe: the site of Pirro Nord (Southern Italy). Naturwissenschaften 94, 107-112.
Arzarello, M., Peretto, C., 2010. Out of Africa: The first evidence of Italian peninsula occupation. Quaternary International 223–224, 65-70.
Aureli, D., Contardi, A., Giaccio, B., Modesti, V., Palombo, M.R., Rozzi, R., Sposato, A., Trucco, F., 2012. Straight-tusked elephants in the Middle Pleistocene of northern Latium: Preliminary report on the Ficoncella site (Tarquinia, central Italy). Quaternary International 255, 29-35.
Aureli, D., Contardi, C., Giaccio, B., Jicha, B., Lemorini, C., Madonna, S., Magri, D., Marano, F., Milli, S., Modesti, V., Palombo, M.R., Rocca, R., 2015. Palaeoloxodon and Human Interaction: Depositional Setting, Chronology and Archaeology at the Middle Pleistocene Ficoncella Site (Tarquinia, Italy). PLoS ONE 10, e0124498.
Aureli, D., Rocca, R., Lemorini, C., Modesti, V., Scaramucci, S., Milli, S., Giaccio, B., Marano, F., Palombo, M.R., Contardi, A., in press. Mode 1 or mode 2? “Small tools” in the technical variability of the European Lower Palaeolithic: The site of Ficoncella (Tarquinia, Lazio, central Italy). Quaternary International.
Barsky, D., de Lumley, H., 2010. Early European Mode 2 and the stone industry from the Caune de l’Arago’s archeostratigraphical levels “P.” Quaternary International 223-224, 71-86.
Boëda, E., 2013. Techno-logique & technologie: une paléo-histoire des objets lithiques tranchants. @rchéo-éditions.
Borzatti von Löwenstern, E., Palchetti, A., Sozzi, M., 1997. Témoignages de l’Acheuléen inférieur en Italie méridionale: Le gisement du Cimitero di Atella (Basilicata). L’Anthropologie 101, 617-638.
Carbonell, E., Mosquera, M., Rodrı́guez, X.P., Sala, R., van der Made, J., 1999. Out of Africa: The Dispersal of the Earliest Technical Systems Reconsidered. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 18, 119-136.
Gallotti, R., in press. The East African origin of the Western European Acheulean technology: Fact or paradigm? Quaternary International.
Grifoni, R., Tozzi, C., 2006. L’émergence des identités culturelles au Paléolithique inférieur : le cas de l’Italie. Comptes Rendus Palevol 5, 137-148.
Lumley, H. de, Fournier, A., Krzekowska, J., Echassoux, A., 1988. L’industrie du Pléistocène inférieur de la grotte du Vallonnet, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Alpes-Maritimes. L’Anthropologie 92, 501-613.
de Lumley, H., Barsky, D., Cauche, D., 2009. Les premières étapes de la colonisation de l’Europe et l’arrivée de l’Homme sur les rives de la Méditerranée. L’Anthropologie 113, 1-46.
Moncel, M.-H., Despriée, J., Voinchet, P., Courcimault, G., Hardy, B., Bahain, J.-J., Puaud, S., Gallet, X., Falguères, C., in press. The Acheulean workshop of la Noira (France, 700 ka) in the European technological context. Quaternary International.
Mosquera, M., Ollé, A., Saladié, P., Cáceres, I., Huguet, R., Rosas, A., Villalaín, J.J., Carrancho, A., Bourlès, D., Braucher, R., Pineda, A., Vallverdú, J., in press. The Early Acheulean technology of Barranc de la Boella (Catalonia, Spain). Quaternary International.
Nicoud, E., 2013. Le paradoxe acheuléen. Documents Préhistoriques. CTHS Editions Bibliothèque des Écoles françaises d’Athènes et de Rome.
Nicoud, E., Aureli, D., Pagli, M., 2015. Comportements techniques au Pléistocène moyen en Italie. Nouvelles recherches sur l’industrie lithique et le site de Valle Giumentina (Abruzzes). Mélanges de l’École française de Rome-Antiquité, 127-1.
Nicoud, E., Aureli, D., Pagli, M., Villa, V., Chaussé, C., Agostini, S., Bahain, J.-J., Boschian, G., Degeai, J.-P., Fusco, F., Giaccio, B., Hernandez, M., Kuzucuoglu, C., Lahaye, C., Lemorini, C., Limondin-Lozouet, N., Mazza, P., Mercier, N., Nomade, S., Pereira, A., Robert, V., Rossi, M.A., Virmoux, C., Zupancich, A., in press. Preliminary data from Valle Giumentina Pleistocene site (Abruzzo, Central Italy): A new approach to a Clactonian and Acheulian sequence. Quaternary International.
Palma di Cesnola, A., 2001. Il Paleolitico inferiore e medio in Italia. Museo Fiorentino di Preistoria "Paolo Graziosi, Firenze.
Peretto, C., Amore, F.O., Antoniazzi, A., Antoniazzi, A., Bahain, J.-J., Cattani, L., Cavallini, E., Esposito, P., Falgueres, C., Gagnepain, J., Hedley, I., Laurent, M., Lebreton, V., Longo, L., Milliken, S., Monegatti, P., Olle, A., Pugliese, N., Renault-Miskovsky, J., Sozzi, M., Ungaro, S., Vannucci, S., Verges, J.M., Wagner, J.-J., Yokoyama, Y., 1998. L’industrie lithique de Ca’Belvedere di Monte Poggiolo : Stratigraphie, matière première, typologie, remontages et traces d’utilisation. L’Anthropologie 102, 343-465.
Piperno, M., 1999. Notarchirico Un sito del Pleistocene medio iniziale nel bacino di Venosa. Osanna Edizione, Venosa.
Rocca, R., 2013. Peut-on définir des aires culturelles au Paléolithique inférieur? Originalité des premières industries lithiques en Europe centrale dans le cadre du peuplement de l’Europe. PhD Thesis, Université Paris Ouest Nanterre la Défense.
Rocca, R., in press. First settlements in Central Europe: Between originality and banality. Quaternary International.
Rocca, R., Abruzzese, C., Aureli, D., in press. European Acheuleans: Critical perspectives from the East. Quaternary International.
Sharon, G., Barsky, D., in press. The emergence of the Acheulian in Europe - A look from the East. Quaternary International.
Toro-Moyano, I., Barsky, D., Cauche, D., Celiberti, V., Grégoire, S., Lebegue, F., Moncel, M.H., de Lumley, H., 2011. The archaic stone tool industry from Barranco León and Fuente Nueva 3, (Orce, Spain): Evidence of the earliest hominin presence in southern Europe. Quaternary International 243, 80-91.
Villa, P., 2001. Early Italy and the colonization of Western Europe. Quaternary International 75, 113-130.
The site of Cimitero di Atella is located in the village of Atella (Basilicata, Southern Italy), at about 10 km of the Vulture Mt. The 20 years excavation of Prof. E. Borzatti von Löwenstern, brought to light an important sequence containing two archaeological levels attributed to the Lower Acheulean (Borzatti et al. 1990, 1997). The lithic implements and faunal remains are at the moment dated to 0.63 Ma on the base of stratigraphical, volcanological and biochronological correlations (Borzatti et al. 1990; Ciolli 1997; Di Muro 1999; Zucchelli 2002). A new multidisciplinary project, started in 2015, proposes to reactivate the research on this important site. The aim of this program is to re-assess the chrono-stratigraphical context, as well as the site formation and the features of fauna and lithic industry. The presence of lacustrine deposits at the bottom of the stratigraphic succession, related to the Atella paleo-lake, and of several volcanic layers in the uppermost part of the sequence, probably belonging to the Vulture Mt. eruptive events, will certainly allow us to re-collocate the sequence in a more precise chronological context. The new study of lithic industry (Abruzzese 2014, Abruzzese et al. 2016) shows that the assemblage contains in fact a great variability of reduction sequences (large cutting-tools, small tools, flakes production). This diversity, at the centre of the current research on Lower Palaeolithic, make of Cimitero di Atella an important site, which will add new and unpublished data to the debate on the evolution of technical systems in Italy during the Middle Pleistocene.
References
Abruzzese, C., 2014. Il sito paleolitico di Atella (Pz) nel quadro del primo popolamento europeo: studio tecnologico dell’industria litica. Tesi di Laurea. Uni-versità degli Studi Di Napoli « L’Orientale ».
Abruzzese, C., Aureli, D., Rocca, R., 2016. Assessment of the Acheulean in Southern Italy: new study on the Cimitero di Atella site (Basilicata, Italy). Quaternary International 393, 158-168.
Borzatti von Löwenstern, E., Sozzi, M., Vannucci, S., Vianello, F., 1990. L’acheuleano antico del cimitero di Atella. Prime indagini sulla stratigrafia del sedimento e sulle industrie litiche. Studi per l’ecologia del quaternario 12.
Borzatti von Löwenstern, E., Palchetti, A., Sozzi, M. 1997. Témoignages de l’Acheuléen inferieur en Italie Méridionale: Le gisement du Cimitero di Atella (Basilicata). L’Anthropologie, 101(4): 617-638.
Ciolli N. 1997. Elephas antiquus Falconer & Cautley del Cimitero di Atella (PZ). Studi per l’Ecologia del Quaternario, 19: 25-33.
Di Muro, A. 1999. Inquadramento tefrostratigrafico del sito acheuleano del Cimitero di Atella (Basilicata, Italia). Studi per l’Ecologia del Quaternario, 21: 7-14.
Zucchelli, M. 2002. I cervidi dell’Acheuleano antico nel Cimitero di Atella (Potenza). Studi per l’Ecologia del Quaternario, 24: 13-17.
Dans cette communication, nous présenterons une synthèse des principales caractéristiques des occupations humaines en Europe centrale entre les MIS 10 et 6. Ces résultats seront comparés avec ceux de l’Europe du Nord-Ouest, en abordant les différences et les points communs entre ces deux régions en terme de système technique, de matière première, de gestion du territoire, des ressources et de l’environnement. L’objectif de ce travail est donc d’évaluer et de discuter les relations entre l’Europe de l’Ouest et l’Europe centrale à l’aube du Paléolithique moyen.
At the end of the Lower Palaeolithic, between 400 and 300 ka in Central Europe the lithic industry are characterize by a small tool production. We will analyses this typical production thanks to two lithic assemblages (Vértesszölös in Hungary and Bilzingsleben in Germany). If those assemblages are original compared to the Western Acheulean, some elements can by liken to some other industries in Southern Europe.
The results of this study of the first lithic industries from Central Europe, allow a reconsideration of settlement dynamic in Europe at the end of Lower Palaeolithic. The classical division between Estern and western Europe, can be discuss, according to the criteria taken into account in the definition of the different Lower Palaeolithic cultural entities and technological systems.
Hatté, Ignacio Clemente-Conte, Janaina C. Santos, Lívia Lucas, Gisèle Felice, Antoine Lourdeau,
Ximena Villagran, Maria Gluchy, Marcos Paulo Ramos, Sibeli Viana, Christelle Lahaye, Niède
Guidon, Christophe Griggo, Mario Pino, Anne-Marie Pessis, Carolina Borges & Bruno Gato
(2016) New Data on a Pleistocene Archaeological Sequence in South America: Toca do Sítio do
Meio, Piauí, Brazil, PaleoAmerica, 2:4, 286-302, DOI: 10.1080/20555563.2016.1237828
At the end of the Lower Palaeolithic, between 0.4 and 0.3 Ma, the lithic industries are mainly char- acterized by a small tool production. This typical production can be analyzed in two lithic assemblages (Vertesszo}lo}s in Hungary and Bilzingsleben in Germany). If those assemblages are original compared to the Western Acheulean, some elements can be liked to some other industries in Southern Europe. The results of this study of the first lithic industries from Central Europe allow reconsideration of settlement dynamics in Europe at the end of the Lower Palaeolithic. The classical division between Eastern and Western Europe can be discussed, according to the criteria in the definition of the different Lower Palaeolithic cultural entities and technical systems.
modalities of a short occupation in a fluvial context during Lower Palaeolithic. From the results of
radiometric dating, geological study and bio-chronological analyses, it emerged that the human
occupation at the site, an ancient riverbank, occurred 0.5 Ma (MIS 13). This period can be considered as
a key moment in the Lower Palaeolithic, with the first Acheulean, or mode 2 sites in Europe. The lithic
assemblage of Ficoncella, without handaxes, is characterized by an overall small tool size, representing
a very original reduction sequence and tool management. In order to investigate the human behaviour
characterizing the site, we analyse the lithic industries, using a classical technological analysis, combined
with a techno-functional approach and a use-wear analysis. The study of the lithic assemblage of
Ficoncella may contribute to renew our image of the lithic industries without handaxes, too often
ignored.
However, the Central European data are difficult to incorporate into this theoretical framework. Despite being located on the Out of Africa route towards Europe, this region has not yielded the archaeological evidence that could have been expected. Evidence of humans occupations before 0.5 million years ago is sparse and handaxes are absent during the entire duration of the Lower Palaeolithic with the assemblages present being more unique. Does Central Europe represent a specific techno-cultural unit during the Lower Palaeolithic? Or do we need to question our methodological tools to be able to find an answer to this apparent paradox?
This study aims to answer these questions through the analyses of four lithic assemblages. The first two collections (Korolevo VI in Ukraine and Kärlich-Seeufer in Germany) are dated around 0.5 Ma and contain industries that are characterised by the production of various types of flakes. Conversely, the other two assemblages (Vértesszölös in Hungary and Bilzingsleben in Germany) are typified by the selective production of small blanks.
The results of this study of the first lithic industries from Central Europe, allow a reconsideration of the question of the earliest occupation of Europe and the criteria taken into account in the definition of the different Lower Palaeolithic cultural entities and technological systems.
Questo paradosso è particolarmente evidente nella penisola italiana, area considerata per la sua conformazione e per la sua posizione tra le più periferiche, ma dove emergono gran parte delle innovazioni tecniche del Paleolitico inferiore e dove è rappresentata tutta la diversità dei sistemi tecnici di questo periodo. Questi dati spingono ad interrogarsi sul ruolo che ha avuto durante il primo popolamento dell’Europa. Si tratta di una regione d’innovazione, una zona di rifugio o di passaggio, di circolazione dei gruppi umani e/o delle idee? Come possiamo considerare, alla luce del record archeologico presente in Italia, le altre ipotesi di popolamento dell’Europa (Villa, 2001; Nicoud 2013; Gallotti, in press; Rocca et al. in press; Sharon & Barsky, in press)?
Nel tentativo di rispondere a queste domande si analizzeranno, attraverso un approccio tecnologico e tecno-genetico (Boëda 2013), le industrie litiche provenienti da tre siti coevi e che restituiscono un’istantanea dell’Italia di 500 mila anni fa: Cimitero di Atella in Basilicata (Borzatti et al. 1997; Abruzzese et al., in press), Ficoncella nel Lazio (Aureli et al. 2012, 2015, in press) e Valle Giumentina in Abruzzo (Nicoud et al. 2015, in press). Tutta la variabilità tecnica presente durante il Paleolitico inferiore europeo è rappresentata in questi insiemi litici: una concezione “bifacciale” dello strumento nei siti del Cimitero di Atella e di Valle Giumentina, piccoli strumenti ritoccati rinvenuti sempre nel sito del Cimitero di Atella e in quello di Ficoncella e produzioni di schegge in tutti e tre i siti.
Il confronto tra queste industrie ci permetterà di affrontare la problematica legata alla definizione stessa delle entità tecno-culturali descritte fino ad oggi per il Paleolitico inferiore in Italia (Palma di Cesnola 2001; Grifoni & Tozzi 2006), cercando di proporre nuove ipotesi sul popolamento del Circum Mediterraneo durante questo periodo.
Riferimenti Bibliografici
Abruzzese, C., Aureli, D., Rocca, R., in press. Assessment of the Acheulean in Southern Italy: New study on the Atella site (Basilicata, Italy). Quaternary International.
Aguirre, E., Carbonell, E., 2001. Early human expansions into Eurasia: The Atapuerca evidence. Quaternary International 75, 11-18.
Arzarello, M., Marcolini, F., Pavia, G., Pavia, M., Petronio, C., Petrucci, M., Rook, L., Sardella, R., 2006. Evidence of earliest human occurrence in Europe: the site of Pirro Nord (Southern Italy). Naturwissenschaften 94, 107-112.
Arzarello, M., Peretto, C., 2010. Out of Africa: The first evidence of Italian peninsula occupation. Quaternary International 223–224, 65-70.
Aureli, D., Contardi, A., Giaccio, B., Modesti, V., Palombo, M.R., Rozzi, R., Sposato, A., Trucco, F., 2012. Straight-tusked elephants in the Middle Pleistocene of northern Latium: Preliminary report on the Ficoncella site (Tarquinia, central Italy). Quaternary International 255, 29-35.
Aureli, D., Contardi, C., Giaccio, B., Jicha, B., Lemorini, C., Madonna, S., Magri, D., Marano, F., Milli, S., Modesti, V., Palombo, M.R., Rocca, R., 2015. Palaeoloxodon and Human Interaction: Depositional Setting, Chronology and Archaeology at the Middle Pleistocene Ficoncella Site (Tarquinia, Italy). PLoS ONE 10, e0124498.
Aureli, D., Rocca, R., Lemorini, C., Modesti, V., Scaramucci, S., Milli, S., Giaccio, B., Marano, F., Palombo, M.R., Contardi, A., in press. Mode 1 or mode 2? “Small tools” in the technical variability of the European Lower Palaeolithic: The site of Ficoncella (Tarquinia, Lazio, central Italy). Quaternary International.
Barsky, D., de Lumley, H., 2010. Early European Mode 2 and the stone industry from the Caune de l’Arago’s archeostratigraphical levels “P.” Quaternary International 223-224, 71-86.
Boëda, E., 2013. Techno-logique & technologie: une paléo-histoire des objets lithiques tranchants. @rchéo-éditions.
Borzatti von Löwenstern, E., Palchetti, A., Sozzi, M., 1997. Témoignages de l’Acheuléen inférieur en Italie méridionale: Le gisement du Cimitero di Atella (Basilicata). L’Anthropologie 101, 617-638.
Carbonell, E., Mosquera, M., Rodrı́guez, X.P., Sala, R., van der Made, J., 1999. Out of Africa: The Dispersal of the Earliest Technical Systems Reconsidered. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 18, 119-136.
Gallotti, R., in press. The East African origin of the Western European Acheulean technology: Fact or paradigm? Quaternary International.
Grifoni, R., Tozzi, C., 2006. L’émergence des identités culturelles au Paléolithique inférieur : le cas de l’Italie. Comptes Rendus Palevol 5, 137-148.
Lumley, H. de, Fournier, A., Krzekowska, J., Echassoux, A., 1988. L’industrie du Pléistocène inférieur de la grotte du Vallonnet, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Alpes-Maritimes. L’Anthropologie 92, 501-613.
de Lumley, H., Barsky, D., Cauche, D., 2009. Les premières étapes de la colonisation de l’Europe et l’arrivée de l’Homme sur les rives de la Méditerranée. L’Anthropologie 113, 1-46.
Moncel, M.-H., Despriée, J., Voinchet, P., Courcimault, G., Hardy, B., Bahain, J.-J., Puaud, S., Gallet, X., Falguères, C., in press. The Acheulean workshop of la Noira (France, 700 ka) in the European technological context. Quaternary International.
Mosquera, M., Ollé, A., Saladié, P., Cáceres, I., Huguet, R., Rosas, A., Villalaín, J.J., Carrancho, A., Bourlès, D., Braucher, R., Pineda, A., Vallverdú, J., in press. The Early Acheulean technology of Barranc de la Boella (Catalonia, Spain). Quaternary International.
Nicoud, E., 2013. Le paradoxe acheuléen. Documents Préhistoriques. CTHS Editions Bibliothèque des Écoles françaises d’Athènes et de Rome.
Nicoud, E., Aureli, D., Pagli, M., 2015. Comportements techniques au Pléistocène moyen en Italie. Nouvelles recherches sur l’industrie lithique et le site de Valle Giumentina (Abruzzes). Mélanges de l’École française de Rome-Antiquité, 127-1.
Nicoud, E., Aureli, D., Pagli, M., Villa, V., Chaussé, C., Agostini, S., Bahain, J.-J., Boschian, G., Degeai, J.-P., Fusco, F., Giaccio, B., Hernandez, M., Kuzucuoglu, C., Lahaye, C., Lemorini, C., Limondin-Lozouet, N., Mazza, P., Mercier, N., Nomade, S., Pereira, A., Robert, V., Rossi, M.A., Virmoux, C., Zupancich, A., in press. Preliminary data from Valle Giumentina Pleistocene site (Abruzzo, Central Italy): A new approach to a Clactonian and Acheulian sequence. Quaternary International.
Palma di Cesnola, A., 2001. Il Paleolitico inferiore e medio in Italia. Museo Fiorentino di Preistoria "Paolo Graziosi, Firenze.
Peretto, C., Amore, F.O., Antoniazzi, A., Antoniazzi, A., Bahain, J.-J., Cattani, L., Cavallini, E., Esposito, P., Falgueres, C., Gagnepain, J., Hedley, I., Laurent, M., Lebreton, V., Longo, L., Milliken, S., Monegatti, P., Olle, A., Pugliese, N., Renault-Miskovsky, J., Sozzi, M., Ungaro, S., Vannucci, S., Verges, J.M., Wagner, J.-J., Yokoyama, Y., 1998. L’industrie lithique de Ca’Belvedere di Monte Poggiolo : Stratigraphie, matière première, typologie, remontages et traces d’utilisation. L’Anthropologie 102, 343-465.
Piperno, M., 1999. Notarchirico Un sito del Pleistocene medio iniziale nel bacino di Venosa. Osanna Edizione, Venosa.
Rocca, R., 2013. Peut-on définir des aires culturelles au Paléolithique inférieur? Originalité des premières industries lithiques en Europe centrale dans le cadre du peuplement de l’Europe. PhD Thesis, Université Paris Ouest Nanterre la Défense.
Rocca, R., in press. First settlements in Central Europe: Between originality and banality. Quaternary International.
Rocca, R., Abruzzese, C., Aureli, D., in press. European Acheuleans: Critical perspectives from the East. Quaternary International.
Sharon, G., Barsky, D., in press. The emergence of the Acheulian in Europe - A look from the East. Quaternary International.
Toro-Moyano, I., Barsky, D., Cauche, D., Celiberti, V., Grégoire, S., Lebegue, F., Moncel, M.H., de Lumley, H., 2011. The archaic stone tool industry from Barranco León and Fuente Nueva 3, (Orce, Spain): Evidence of the earliest hominin presence in southern Europe. Quaternary International 243, 80-91.
Villa, P., 2001. Early Italy and the colonization of Western Europe. Quaternary International 75, 113-130.
The site of Cimitero di Atella is located in the village of Atella (Basilicata, Southern Italy), at about 10 km of the Vulture Mt. The 20 years excavation of Prof. E. Borzatti von Löwenstern, brought to light an important sequence containing two archaeological levels attributed to the Lower Acheulean (Borzatti et al. 1990, 1997). The lithic implements and faunal remains are at the moment dated to 0.63 Ma on the base of stratigraphical, volcanological and biochronological correlations (Borzatti et al. 1990; Ciolli 1997; Di Muro 1999; Zucchelli 2002). A new multidisciplinary project, started in 2015, proposes to reactivate the research on this important site. The aim of this program is to re-assess the chrono-stratigraphical context, as well as the site formation and the features of fauna and lithic industry. The presence of lacustrine deposits at the bottom of the stratigraphic succession, related to the Atella paleo-lake, and of several volcanic layers in the uppermost part of the sequence, probably belonging to the Vulture Mt. eruptive events, will certainly allow us to re-collocate the sequence in a more precise chronological context. The new study of lithic industry (Abruzzese 2014, Abruzzese et al. 2016) shows that the assemblage contains in fact a great variability of reduction sequences (large cutting-tools, small tools, flakes production). This diversity, at the centre of the current research on Lower Palaeolithic, make of Cimitero di Atella an important site, which will add new and unpublished data to the debate on the evolution of technical systems in Italy during the Middle Pleistocene.
References
Abruzzese, C., 2014. Il sito paleolitico di Atella (Pz) nel quadro del primo popolamento europeo: studio tecnologico dell’industria litica. Tesi di Laurea. Uni-versità degli Studi Di Napoli « L’Orientale ».
Abruzzese, C., Aureli, D., Rocca, R., 2016. Assessment of the Acheulean in Southern Italy: new study on the Cimitero di Atella site (Basilicata, Italy). Quaternary International 393, 158-168.
Borzatti von Löwenstern, E., Sozzi, M., Vannucci, S., Vianello, F., 1990. L’acheuleano antico del cimitero di Atella. Prime indagini sulla stratigrafia del sedimento e sulle industrie litiche. Studi per l’ecologia del quaternario 12.
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Dans cette communication, nous présenterons une synthèse des principales caractéristiques des occupations humaines en Europe centrale entre les MIS 10 et 6. Ces résultats seront comparés avec ceux de l’Europe du Nord-Ouest, en abordant les différences et les points communs entre ces deux régions en terme de système technique, de matière première, de gestion du territoire, des ressources et de l’environnement. L’objectif de ce travail est donc d’évaluer et de discuter les relations entre l’Europe de l’Ouest et l’Europe centrale à l’aube du Paléolithique moyen.
At the end of the Lower Palaeolithic, between 400 and 300 ka in Central Europe the lithic industry are characterize by a small tool production. We will analyses this typical production thanks to two lithic assemblages (Vértesszölös in Hungary and Bilzingsleben in Germany). If those assemblages are original compared to the Western Acheulean, some elements can by liken to some other industries in Southern Europe.
The results of this study of the first lithic industries from Central Europe, allow a reconsideration of settlement dynamic in Europe at the end of Lower Palaeolithic. The classical division between Estern and western Europe, can be discuss, according to the criteria taken into account in the definition of the different Lower Palaeolithic cultural entities and technological systems.
Mais l’étude des industries d’Europe centrale selon une approche technologique et techno-fonctionnelles (Rocca, 2013) a permis de mettre au jour la présence d’un outillage qui apparaît original, composé de petits outils, souvent confectionnés sur supports naturels sectionnés. Ces petits outils, présents notamment à Bilzinsgleben en Allemagne et à Vértesszölös en Hongrie, offrent un potentiel fonctionnel diversifié et sont obtenu selon des modalités de confection spécifiques. Ce phénomène technique présent en Europe centrale peut-il être considéré comme un système technique à part entière ? Quels critères peut-on utilisé pour le définir ? D’autres industries dans la même aire géographique (Europe centrale, Balkans) partagent-elles cette conception de l’outillage ?
Si la présence d’industries sans bifaces en Europe centrale est connue, des industries « à petits outils » sont-elle présentes au sein de l’espace Acheuléen ? Il semblerait en effet, que dans des sites avec ou sans bifaces, une composante de l’industrie lithique soit comparable à celle reconnue en Europe centrale. Ces assemblages, présents principalement dans le pourtour méditerranéens (Italie, Espagne, Sud de la France) ont-il des points communs avec les industries plus à l’Est ? Sur quels critères ?
L’objectif de cette session est donc d’envisager une part souvent négligée des industries du Paléolithique inférieur européen, probablement masquée par la présence imposante du biface. Il s’agira de comparer les industries d’Europe centrale entre elles (Europe centrale, Balkans) et avec celles de l’Europe du Sud (sud de la France, Italie, Espagne).
Si cette composante « à petits outils » est encore mal connus et donc mal définie elle a le mérite de nous obliger à reconsidérer les assemblages dans leur intégralité ; et surtout de tenter de repenser les cadres géographiques et culturelles qui permettent de faire avancer les connaissances sur les dynamiques de peuplement au Paléolithique inférieur.
References:
Boëda E., 1997, Technogénèse des systèmes de production lithique au Paléolithique inférieur et moyen en Europe occidentale et au Proche-Orient, Habilitation à diriger les recherches, Université Paris X-Nanterre.
Nicoud E., 2011, Le phénomène Acheuléen en Europe occidentale, approche chronologique, technologie lithique et implications culturelles, Thèse de Doctorat (PhD), Università di Roma « La Sapienza » & Université de Provence.
Rocca R., PhD in progress, Les premières industries lithiques en Europe centrale, les réalités archéologiques et les modèles de peuplement de l’Europe, Thèse de Doctorat en cours, Université de Paris-Ouest-La Défense.
How to move the debate on early settlement patterns, taking into account in a critical way, data of lithic industries? The problem of the identification of anthropical Industry is central but complex, given that these early human productions are "uncharacteristic." How to study these old industries and what are the criteria that enable us to consider them human? Do these industries have some affinities? What methodology can we use to compare them?
Toujours régie par des catégories héritées des tenants de la typologie, la définition de cet immense complexe industriel, aussi synonyme d’une longue période, souffre avant tout de problématiques peu élaborées. La reconnaissance de l’ancienneté d’un site et de son caractère anthropique est souvent plus importante que sa caractérisation technique. Afin de faire exister les découvertes dans la petite communauté scientifique qui s’en préoccupe, les chercheurs sont amenés à rattacher les industries lithiques aux complexes culturels inventés dès les prémices de la discipline (« Oldowayen », « Acheuléen »...) sans plus de précision. Pourtant les chercheurs sont tout à fait conscients de l’obsolescence ou des limites conceptuelles de ces étiquettes culturelles. L’impossible conciliation de l’état chétif actuel des connaissances, du grand potentiel informatif des industries à la lumière des nouvelles méthodes d’étude et des modes de diffusion de la connaissance, maintient la recherche sur le Paléolithique ancien dans un certain engourdissement.
Depuis une décennie, des travaux fondés sur l’étude des caractéristiques techniques des industries lithiques, doublés d’un effort de déconstruction des paradigmes anciens et des étiquettes culturelles traditionnelles tendent à faire bouger les lignes du savoir en livrant des résultats roboratifs pour la compréhension des peuplements au Pléistocène inférieur et moyen. Les spécificités des gisements et industries lithiques du Paléolithique ancien rendent peu attrayants les faits techniques pour l’étude (rareté et mauvaise conservation des sites, séries lithiques numériquement faibles, ressemblances apparentes des industries, etc.) et nécessitent de laborieuses analyses pour les appréhender. Progressivement, les séries lithiques font part d’une complexité et d’une variabilité des comportements anthropiques, propres à cette longue période.
Lors de cette rencontre, nous interrogerons la notion d’entité culturelle au Paléolithique ancien au travers de plusieurs axes. Quels critères usons-nous pour définir des ensembles culturels? Comment la notion d’aire culturelle s’articule-t-elle avec l’idée d’évolution(s) ? Peut-on réévaluer les entités géographiques définies traditionnellement en Europe et en Afrique au regard des nouvelles données et des nouvelles méthodes d’étude ? Quelles sont les conséquences des nouveaux résultats techniques sur notre vision des premières dynamiques de peuplement ?