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During a single visit, on May 21, 2000, samples of human bones were collected
for dating and paleogenetic analyses.
Location and preliminary
The human remains are distributed in three sectors of the left gallery.
In locus 1, the closest to the entrance, an ovular depression that may
be a bear hollow contains fragmentary bone remains with no apparent anatomical
connection. The sediment under some of the bones is colored with red ochre ;
In locus 2, an ovular depression located at the foot of the east wall
contains the nearly complete skeleton of an adult. The body was probably laid
on its stomach ;
In locus 3, diverse human bones are dispersed on the top and on the slope
of a clayey talus. A minimum of 3 adult individuals is represented. There are
no cranial remains in this ensemble.
Preliminary results
These first observations permit the identification of three ensembles of human
remains, representing at least six individuals, four adults and two teenagers. All three ensembles have been
subject to disturbance, but in locus 2 numerous anatomical connections are preserved,
suggesting it is a primary deposit. No archaeological objects diagnostic of
age or cultural affiliation are associated with these remains. Direct dating
of on bone from locux 1 was dated from 25,120 ± 120 BP (Beta 1Analytic Inc), it means between 29,500 and 28,835 before present. |
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