A set of long-term experiments have been initiated in an active periglacial environment. The expe... more A set of long-term experiments have been initiated in an active periglacial environment. The experimental site is located on the south slope of the Taillon Mountain, near Gavarnie, Spain. Experiments address the following points: 1) the rate of displacement of archaeological particles and the disturbance of archaeological features on solifluction sheets and by creep on rockfall screes; 2) the fragmentation of bones and their surface alteration, with emphasis on cutmark disappearance; 3) the rate of linear fabric acquisition of knapped flint displaced by solifluction or creep. After one year, disturbances are observed. Considering bones, factors responsible for the changes noted are 1) green versus dry nature of items with regard to displacements 2) burnt versus unburnt status in respect of alteration. For lithic assemblage, we observe that initial artifact distribution – in regimented intervals or replicating knapping spot – controls the rate of displacement. This last point is cruc...
ABSTRACT Experiments have been carried out at two sites in periglacial (MAAT ≈ 0°C) and alpine (M... more ABSTRACT Experiments have been carried out at two sites in periglacial (MAAT ≈ 0°C) and alpine (MAAT ≈ 4°C) contexts in the Pyrenees, including open-air and cave loci, to document in detail the role of site formation processes and taphonomic agents in the degradation of archaeological assemblages. In both sites, the experimental cells have undergone significant changes over the five years of measurements. These are marked by slow downslope creep of lithic artefacts due to solifluction, rain creep, and the impact of debris fallen from the wall in the cave. The behaviour of bone material was significantly different from that of lithics, due to the activity of scavengers. This was responsible for scattering a high proportion of bone remains, and displacements were typically significant. Such activity was also responsible for a high number of bone elements being lost (1/3 to 2/3 of the bones). Weathering, mostly cracking and exfoliation, also affected dry bone material in the open-air cells. The measurements have highlighted the specific nature of the cave context, which plays a protective role for bone remains against meteoric agents. The talus at the entrance of the cavity was also characterized by a strong spatial heterogeneity in sedimentary processes, which may generate a differential preservation of the assemblages.
Gavarnie. Dynamique des abris et des porches de grotte en contexte périglaciaire. Etudes taphonom... more Gavarnie. Dynamique des abris et des porches de grotte en contexte périglaciaire. Etudes taphonomiques. Rapport d'activité 2007
ABSTRACT In addition to the study of the climatic setting and sedimentation in cave and rockshelt... more ABSTRACT In addition to the study of the climatic setting and sedimentation in cave and rockshelter entrances, the Gavarnie project permitted the development of a series of experiments dedicated to documenting post-depositional modifications of archaeological remains in periglacial environments. Experiments ran over a period of 3-5 years and documented: 1) the lateral and vertical dispersals of an assemblage deposited on the scree slope of a cave entrance, 2) the displacement, re-orientation, and size sorting of archaeological pieces situated on a solifluction sheet, and 3) the movement of a group of artefacts during the melting of snow cover. Displacement measurements are linked with the experimental site’s climatic record to determine the influence of part of freeze/thaw cycles and summer storms on overall modifications. The results indicate that initial artefact distribution - discrete cluster or dispersed scatter - influences the degree of displacement by solifluction. The stages of deformation of the archaeological structures are documented. A computer simulation based on flint orientation measurements indicates that the time interval needed to obtain a linear fabric of artefacts displaced by solifluction is about twenty years. Finally, the comparison between results from experiments conducted in the alpine zone and those obtained in the snow zone shows the particular degradation pattern specific to each environment. As a whole, these results provide present-day comparisons for evaluating the degree of natural modification at a number of European Palaeolithic sites.
Experiments have been carried out at two sites in periglacial (MAAT z 0 C) and alpine (MAAT z 4 C... more Experiments have been carried out at two sites in periglacial (MAAT z 0 C) and alpine (MAAT z 4 C) contexts in the Pyrenees, including open-air and cave loci, to document in detail the role of site formation processes and taphonomic agents in the degradation of archaeological assemblages. In both sites, the experimental cells have undergone significant changes over the five years of measurements. These are marked by slow downslope creep of lithic artefacts due to solifluction, rain creep, and the impact of debris fallen from the wall in the cave. The behaviour of bone material was significantly different from that of lithics, due to the activity of scavengers. This was responsible for scattering a high proportion of bone remains, and displacements were typically significant. Such activity was also responsible for a high number of bone elements being lost (1/3 to 2/3 of the bones). Weathering, mostly cracking and exfoli-ation, also affected dry bone material in the open-air cells. The measurements have highlighted the specific nature of the cave context, which plays a protective role for bone remains against meteoric agents. The talus at the entrance of the cavity was also characterized by a strong spatial heterogeneity in sedimentary processes, which may generate a differential preservation of the assemblages.
Experiments have been carried out at two sites in periglacial (MAAT ≈ 0°C) and alpine (MAAT ≈ 4°C... more Experiments have been carried out at two sites in periglacial (MAAT ≈ 0°C) and alpine (MAAT ≈ 4°C) contexts in the Pyrenees, including open-air and cave loci, to document in detail the role of site formation processes and taphonomic agents in the degradation of archaeological assemblages. In both sites, the experimental cells have undergone significant changes over the five years of measurements. These are marked by slow downslope creep of lithic artefacts due to solifluction, rain creep, and the impact of debris fallen from the wall in the cave. The behaviour of bone material was significantly different from that of lithics, due to the activity of scavengers. This was responsible for scattering a high proportion of bone remains, and displacements were typically significant. Such activity was also responsible for a high number of bone elements being lost (1/3 to 2/3 of the bones). Weathering, mostly cracking and exfoliation, also affected dry bone material in the open-air cells. The measurements have highlighted the specific nature of the cave context, which plays a protective role for bone remains against meteoric agents. The talus at the entrance of the cavity was also characterized by a strong spatial heterogeneity in sedimentary processes, which may generate a differential preservation of the assemblages.
A set of long-term experiments have been initiated in an active periglacial environment. The expe... more A set of long-term experiments have been initiated in an active periglacial environment. The experimental site is located on the south slope of the Taillon Mountain, near Gavarnie, Spain. Experiments address the following points: 1) the rate of displacement of archaeological particles and the disturbance of archaeological features on solifluction sheets and by creep on rockfall screes; 2) the fragmentation of bones and their surface alteration, with emphasis on cutmark disappearance; 3) the rate of linear fabric acquisition of knapped flint displaced by solifluction or creep. After one year, disturbances are observed. Considering bones, factors responsible for the changes noted are 1) green versus dry nature of items with regard to displacements 2) burnt versus unburnt status in respect of alteration. For lithic assemblage, we observe that initial artifact distribution – in regimented intervals or replicating knapping spot – controls the rate of displacement. This last point is cruc...
ABSTRACT Experiments have been carried out at two sites in periglacial (MAAT ≈ 0°C) and alpine (M... more ABSTRACT Experiments have been carried out at two sites in periglacial (MAAT ≈ 0°C) and alpine (MAAT ≈ 4°C) contexts in the Pyrenees, including open-air and cave loci, to document in detail the role of site formation processes and taphonomic agents in the degradation of archaeological assemblages. In both sites, the experimental cells have undergone significant changes over the five years of measurements. These are marked by slow downslope creep of lithic artefacts due to solifluction, rain creep, and the impact of debris fallen from the wall in the cave. The behaviour of bone material was significantly different from that of lithics, due to the activity of scavengers. This was responsible for scattering a high proportion of bone remains, and displacements were typically significant. Such activity was also responsible for a high number of bone elements being lost (1/3 to 2/3 of the bones). Weathering, mostly cracking and exfoliation, also affected dry bone material in the open-air cells. The measurements have highlighted the specific nature of the cave context, which plays a protective role for bone remains against meteoric agents. The talus at the entrance of the cavity was also characterized by a strong spatial heterogeneity in sedimentary processes, which may generate a differential preservation of the assemblages.
Gavarnie. Dynamique des abris et des porches de grotte en contexte périglaciaire. Etudes taphonom... more Gavarnie. Dynamique des abris et des porches de grotte en contexte périglaciaire. Etudes taphonomiques. Rapport d'activité 2007
ABSTRACT In addition to the study of the climatic setting and sedimentation in cave and rockshelt... more ABSTRACT In addition to the study of the climatic setting and sedimentation in cave and rockshelter entrances, the Gavarnie project permitted the development of a series of experiments dedicated to documenting post-depositional modifications of archaeological remains in periglacial environments. Experiments ran over a period of 3-5 years and documented: 1) the lateral and vertical dispersals of an assemblage deposited on the scree slope of a cave entrance, 2) the displacement, re-orientation, and size sorting of archaeological pieces situated on a solifluction sheet, and 3) the movement of a group of artefacts during the melting of snow cover. Displacement measurements are linked with the experimental site’s climatic record to determine the influence of part of freeze/thaw cycles and summer storms on overall modifications. The results indicate that initial artefact distribution - discrete cluster or dispersed scatter - influences the degree of displacement by solifluction. The stages of deformation of the archaeological structures are documented. A computer simulation based on flint orientation measurements indicates that the time interval needed to obtain a linear fabric of artefacts displaced by solifluction is about twenty years. Finally, the comparison between results from experiments conducted in the alpine zone and those obtained in the snow zone shows the particular degradation pattern specific to each environment. As a whole, these results provide present-day comparisons for evaluating the degree of natural modification at a number of European Palaeolithic sites.
Experiments have been carried out at two sites in periglacial (MAAT z 0 C) and alpine (MAAT z 4 C... more Experiments have been carried out at two sites in periglacial (MAAT z 0 C) and alpine (MAAT z 4 C) contexts in the Pyrenees, including open-air and cave loci, to document in detail the role of site formation processes and taphonomic agents in the degradation of archaeological assemblages. In both sites, the experimental cells have undergone significant changes over the five years of measurements. These are marked by slow downslope creep of lithic artefacts due to solifluction, rain creep, and the impact of debris fallen from the wall in the cave. The behaviour of bone material was significantly different from that of lithics, due to the activity of scavengers. This was responsible for scattering a high proportion of bone remains, and displacements were typically significant. Such activity was also responsible for a high number of bone elements being lost (1/3 to 2/3 of the bones). Weathering, mostly cracking and exfoli-ation, also affected dry bone material in the open-air cells. The measurements have highlighted the specific nature of the cave context, which plays a protective role for bone remains against meteoric agents. The talus at the entrance of the cavity was also characterized by a strong spatial heterogeneity in sedimentary processes, which may generate a differential preservation of the assemblages.
Experiments have been carried out at two sites in periglacial (MAAT ≈ 0°C) and alpine (MAAT ≈ 4°C... more Experiments have been carried out at two sites in periglacial (MAAT ≈ 0°C) and alpine (MAAT ≈ 4°C) contexts in the Pyrenees, including open-air and cave loci, to document in detail the role of site formation processes and taphonomic agents in the degradation of archaeological assemblages. In both sites, the experimental cells have undergone significant changes over the five years of measurements. These are marked by slow downslope creep of lithic artefacts due to solifluction, rain creep, and the impact of debris fallen from the wall in the cave. The behaviour of bone material was significantly different from that of lithics, due to the activity of scavengers. This was responsible for scattering a high proportion of bone remains, and displacements were typically significant. Such activity was also responsible for a high number of bone elements being lost (1/3 to 2/3 of the bones). Weathering, mostly cracking and exfoliation, also affected dry bone material in the open-air cells. The measurements have highlighted the specific nature of the cave context, which plays a protective role for bone remains against meteoric agents. The talus at the entrance of the cavity was also characterized by a strong spatial heterogeneity in sedimentary processes, which may generate a differential preservation of the assemblages.
Une opération de diagnostic archéologique a été réalisée par l’INRAP du 25 juin au 30 juin 2009 s... more Une opération de diagnostic archéologique a été réalisée par l’INRAP du 25 juin au 30 juin 2009 sur la commune de Saint Astier en Dordogne. Les parcelles sondées correspondent à l’emprise d’un projet de déchetterie dans le quartier du Perrier par la Communauté de Communes Astérienne Isle et Vern.Un niveau archéologique du Néolithique récent ou final (3600-2800 BC) conséquent a été identifié dans la partie sud de l’emprise du projet de déchetterie. L’ensemble lithique traduirait non seulement des activités de production d’éclats allongés sur silex sénonien local mais une zone d’activités plus variées avec la présence de nombreux galets fragmentés par la chauffe.Le niveau a été reconnu exclusivement dans le sondage 7 de 55 à 65 cm de profondeur sur plus de 50 m². Il est très dense sur une zone de moins de 10 m² sur le bord sud du sondage et pourrait s’étendre au-delà sur une étendue possible d’au moins 300 m², ce que la présence d’une ligne à haute tension n’a pas permis de vérifier.
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