Poster De Conférence Année : 2025

Between the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic in the northern Pyrenees: the case of the Coupe-Gorge (Montmaurin sites-complex, France)

Résumé

Palaeolithic human occupations remain relatively rare in the Pyrenean region, likely due to preservation biases. While several sites provide reliable chronostratigraphic contexts for the Late Middle Palaeolithic (e.g., Le Noisetier, Gatzarria, Mauran, Le Portel), evidence for earlier Palaeolithic settlements in the Pyrenees and its Piedmont remains sparse. In this context, the Montmaurin karstic complex (Haute-Garonne) emerges as a key locality for investigating hominin biology, behaviour, and evolutionary dynamics during the second half of the Middle Pleistocene. Multiple caves and rock shelters within this complex—such as Boule, La Niche, La Terrasse, Coupe-Gorge, and Les Putois—have yielded archaeological deposits (including human remains) spanning the Lower, Middle, and even Upper Palaeolithic [1]. Among them, the Coupe-Gorge site is particularly noteworthy for its rich stratigraphic sequence, initially uncovered in the mid-20th century during quarrying operations. Excavations led by L. Méroc between 1946 and 1961 revealed at least seven cultural layers for the unit 3, originally attributed to the Lower Palaeolithic and comprising thousands of artefacts [2]. Reinvestigating such legacy collections poses significant challenges. To address this, a renewed multidisciplinary research program has been underway since 2018 under the direction of A. Vialet. This initiative integrates excavation, dating, raw material analysis, and geomorphological surveys. Preliminary findings indicate a substantial archaeological sequence attributable to the early Middle Palaeolithic. Layer 3Z, dating to MIS 6, reflects intensive human occupation and yielded 2 human remains (a fragment of an immature mandible and an isolated tooth – ULP3). While deeper layers suggest more episodic occupations dating back to MIS 7 and earlier where a right maxillary bone bearing C-P4 was discovered together with 2 isolated teeth (LRM3 and ULC). Throughout the sequence, a consistent use of Discoid technology is observed on both local quartzite and flints. The presence of bifacial tools and other shaped implements indicates a marked adaptation to raw material constraints, including the use of core-on-flake strategies, splits, and other recycling phenomenon. The human remains are attributed to Neanderthals. However, the maxilla from the lower levels, dated to 300 ka, does not show the marked prognathism expected for a Neanderthal. Its conformation is closer to fossils such as Arago 21 (Tautavel, France) dated around 450 ka, although the internal and external features of its teeth are evolved (Neandertal-like). From a techno-cultural perspective, the Coupe-Gorge assemblages reveal notable divergences from later regional traditions employing similar technologies [3]. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the Lower to Middle Palaeolithic transition in the Pyrenean context—one that challenges the conventional emphasis on the Levallois concept as a defining hallmark of this shift. The data from Coupe-Gorge enrich our understanding of early Neanderthal populations and their techno-cultural practices in South-West Europe. The combination of archaic and derived traits in the human remains, coupled with non-Levallois lithic strategies adapted to local raw materials, highlights the diversity of technological and biological expressions during the Middle Pleistocene. These insights underscore the need to reassess linear models of Neanderthal evolution and behavioural development, positioning Montmaurin as a critical reference point for broader discussions on hominin variability and regional trajectories across Europe. We would like to thank the UMR 7194 - HNHP and all the organisations financing the excavations at Montmaurin (SRA Occitanie, Occitanie region and Haute-Garonne department) as well as the excavation and scientific team. This work is also part of a funded project ‘Défi-clé Sciences du Passé" of the Occitanie region (Gorgyous; dir. A. Vialet & C. Pallier). References: [1] Vialet, A., Bertrand, B., Champalle, C., Bermúdez de Castro, J.-M., Modesto-Mata, M., Martinón-Torres, M., Martínez de Pinillos, M., García Campos, C., Martin-Francès, L., Colard, T. 2019. Re-examination of “ancient” fossils discovered in the middle of the 20th century. Hominins from the end of the Middle Pleistocene from the Montmaurin caves (southwest of France). The Journal of the International Union for Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences. 2, 32-37. [2] Gaillard, C. 1982. L'industrie lithique du Paléolithique inférieur et moyen de la grotte de Coupe-Gorge à Montmaurin (Haute-Garonne). Gallia préhistoire. 25, 79-105. [3] Thiébaut, C., Mourre, V., Chalard, P., Colonge, D., Coudenneau, A., Deschamps, M., Sacco-Sonador, A., 2012. Lithic technology of the final Mousterian on both sides of the Pyrenees. Quaternary International. 247, 182–198.

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Dates et versions

hal-05311967 , version 1 (13-10-2025)

Identifiants

  • HAL Id : hal-05311967 , version 1

Citer

Cyrielle Mathias, Amélie Vialet. Between the Lower and Middle Palaeolithic in the northern Pyrenees: the case of the Coupe-Gorge (Montmaurin sites-complex, France). ESHE meeting, Sep 2025, Muséum National d'Histoire naturelle de Paris, France. ⟨hal-05311967⟩
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