Innovations in Acheulean Biface Production at La Noira (Centre France): Shift or Drift Between 700 and 450 Ka in Western Europe? - Archive ouverte HAL Accéder directement au contenu
Pré-Publication, Document De Travail Année : 2021

Innovations in Acheulean Biface Production at La Noira (Centre France): Shift or Drift Between 700 and 450 Ka in Western Europe?

Résumé

Abstract The archaeological sequence of la Noira, in the Middle Loire Basin (Centre region, France) yielded two phases of occupation: ca 700 ka (stratum a) and ca 450 ka (stratum c). No site between these two dates has yet been discovered in the area, and this chronological period has thus been interpreted as a gap in settlement from MIS 16 to MIS 12. Here, we compare these two levels and track technological innovations or/and inventions during this time, based on the technological and morphometric comparison of the Large Cutting Tools (LCTs), applying a new method of analysis. We explore inter and intra-level variability in order to address the hypotheses of (1) the filiation over time of populations settling sporadically in the region or (2) the arrival of new populations from other European or extra-European areas. Stratum a presents mainly short shaping sequences on local millstone, taking advantage of natural slab geometry, and with special attention to tips, but with clear management of tool volume. Stratum c differs in that both local millstone and flints from distant sources show longer shaping sequences, the use of soft hammers for several series of removals, combined with final regularizing retouch on entire edges. The morphometric approach shows a morphological transition from oval to teardrop shapes for the thinnest tools. A technological filiation between strata a and c and between la Noira populations from MIS 16 and MIS 12 in this area has to be considered.

Dates et versions

hal-03233508 , version 1 (24-05-2021)

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Paternité - Pas d'utilisation commerciale - Partage selon les Conditions Initiales

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Paula García-Medrano, Jackie Despriée, Marie-Hélène Moncel. Innovations in Acheulean Biface Production at La Noira (Centre France): Shift or Drift Between 700 and 450 Ka in Western Europe?. 2021. ⟨hal-03233508⟩
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