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Illuminating the cave, drawing in black: wood charcoal analysis at Chauvet-Pont d'Arc

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2018

Isabelle Théry-Parisot ,
Stéphanie Thiébault ,
Jean-Jacques Delannoy ,
Catherine Ferrier ,
Valérie Feruglio ,
Carole Fritz ,
Bernard Gely ,
Pierre Guibert ,
Julien Monney  and
Gilles Tosello
...Show all authors
Isabelle Théry-Parisot*
Affiliation:
Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, CEPAM UMR 7264, 24 avenue des Diables Bleus, 06357 Nice, France
Stéphanie Thiébault
Affiliation:
INEE Institut écologie et environnement, CNRS, 3 rue Michel-Ange, 75794 Paris, France
Jean-Jacques Delannoy
Affiliation:
Université de Savoie Mont-Blanc, CNRS, EDYTEM UMR 5204, Le Bourget-du-Lac, France
Catherine Ferrier
Affiliation:
Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, PACEA UMR 5199, Bâtiment B8, Allée Geoffroy Saint Hillaire, CS 50023, 33615 Pessac Cedex, France
Valérie Feruglio
Affiliation:
Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, PACEA UMR 5199, Bâtiment B8, Allée Geoffroy Saint Hillaire, CS 50023, 33615 Pessac Cedex, France
Carole Fritz
Affiliation:
MSHS Toulouse, CNRS, TRACES UMR 5608, 5 allée Antonio Machado, 31058 Toulouse, France
Bernard Gely
Affiliation:
Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication, DRAC, Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, 6 quai Saint-Vincent, 69283 Lyon, France
Pierre Guibert
Affiliation:
Université de Bordeaux Montaigne, CNRS, IRAMAT UMR 5060, Maison de l'Archéologie, Domaine Universitaire, Esplanade des Antilles, 33607 Pessac, France
Julien Monney
Affiliation:
Université de Savoie Mont-Blanc, CNRS, EDYTEM UMR 5204, Le Bourget-du-Lac, France
Gilles Tosello
Affiliation:
MSHS Toulouse, USR 3414, CREAP, 5 allée Antonio Machado, 31058 Toulouse, France
Jean Clottes
Affiliation:
11 rue du Fourcat, 09000 Foix, France
Jean-Michel Geneste
Affiliation:
Université de Bordeaux, CNRS, PACEA UMR 5199, Bâtiment B8, Allée Geoffroy Saint Hillaire, CS 50023, 33615 Pessac Cedex, France
*
*Author for correspondence (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

The Grotte Chauvet is world renowned for the quality and diversity of its Palaeolithic art. Fire was particularly important to the occupants, providing light and producing charcoal for use in motifs. Charcoal samples were taken systematically from features associated with the two main occupation phases (Aurignacian and Gravettian). Analysis showed it to be composed almost entirely of pine (Pinus sp.), indicating the harsh climatic conditions at this period. No distinction in wood species was found between either the two occupation episodes or the various depositional contexts. The results throw new light on the cultural and palaeoenvironmental factors that influenced choices underlying the collection of wood for charcoal production.

Keywords

FranceChauvet-Pont d'ArcPalaeolithicartanthracology
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 92 , Issue 362 , April 2018 , pp. 320 - 333
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd, 2018 

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