dAf 50
BRICKER Harvey M.
Le Paléolithique supérieur de l'abri Pataud (Dordogne) : les fouilles de H. L. Movius Jr.
One of the large international and interdisciplinary research projects on the Palaeolithic of France during the Middle of the 20th century was the excavation of the abri Pataud (Les Eyzies, Dordogne). From this project, directed by Hallam L. Movius, Jr., came innovations in excavation technique and artifact analysis that have contributed to the methodological synthesis underlying current research. The abri Pataud is one of the key sequences of the earlier Upper Palaeolithic in the Southwest. The publication began in 1975 but was left unfinished because of the death of Pr Movius in 1987. His closest collaborators have summarized here the results of the project, including unpublished studies of the Protomagdalenian, Middle Perigordian, and Aurignacian occupations, new radiocarbon dates, a reappraisal of the geochronology, and an extensively annotated catalogue of Aurignacian and Perigordian sites in Dordogne which allows the abri Pataud to be seen in its regional context.
Abstract
Abstract
1. The excavations of H. L.MoviusJr.at the abri Pataud : Introduction
H. M. BRIKER, A. S. BROOKS, R. B. CLAY, N. DAVID
The excavations at the abri Pataud directed by Pr Hallam L. Movius Jr. took place between 1953 and 1964. One large trench, 14 m wide at the top decreasing to 6 m at the bottom, sampled the fill of tHe rockshelter proper from the modem surface to bedrock, and smaller trenches and test pits sampled the talus slope in front of the shelter.
Fourteen archaeological levels were recognized, most of which contained evidence of multiple successive occupations. The cultural sequence extended from Aurignacian (Levels 14 to 6), through Middle Perigordian (Level 5), Noaillian (Level 4), Perigordian VI (Level 3), and Protomagdalenian (Level 2), to Lower Solutrean (Level 1).
The principal results of previously published studies of the geomorphology (Judson), flint sources (Bricker), palynology (Donner), vertebrate fauna (Bouchud), molluscan fauna (Dance), and human remains (Billy; Legoux) are summarized very briefly. The . sedimentological study of Farrand, as revised and updated, is the subject of chapter 2.
Nearly 60 radiocarbon dates produced over 30 years by 5 laboratories in 4 nations exist for the abri Pataud. The earliest Aurignacian occupation began ca. 34,000 BP. The Middle Perigordian ended ca. 28,000 BP, and the Noaillian occupations began ca. 27,000 BP. The Perigordian VI occupations date to ca. 24,000 BP and those of the Protomagdalenian to ca. 22,000 BP.
2. Sedimentology of the abri Pataud
W. R. FARRAND
The previous reports on the sedimentology are here revised and updated. New understandings, particularly those of a comparative nature, are now possible in light of the subsequent studies of other scholars, especially the extensive work of Henri Laville.
The analysis is based on nearly 50 samples, collected in 18 series from, within the rockshelter, on the talus slope, and elsewhere near the site. Laboratoty analyses of the samples are reported in terms of granulometty, the occurrence of frost fragments, rounding and porosity of the fragments, and the chemistty and mineralogy of the fine fraction.
Six major geological strata comprise the nearly nine-meter-thick sedimentaty fill of the shelter. Each intemally homogeneous stratum contains both culturally sterile units, and one or more archaeological levels. The mean sedimentation rate was more rapid early in the sequence (93 cm per 1000 years) than near the end (69 cm per 1000 years), and there were several periods of stability and weathering.
The sediments making up the fill of the rockshelter originated primarily from the effects of the collapse of the roof and walls and of freeze / thaw cycles, but aeolian transport played a role intermittently. At least five episodes of pedogenesis are documented.
The paleoclimatic sequence for the abri Pataud contains thirteen distinct episodes of deposition and / or alteration.
The paleoclimatic sequence at the abri Pataud is compared with those at other key sites in the Dordogne studied by Laville, especially La Ferrassie, Le Facteur, Le Rageolet l, Laugerie Haute, and the trou de la Chèvre. Several signifiant revisions of earlier syntheses are required. Re-examination of the original data indicates that Level 4 and Eboulis 3-4 : Red at Pataud should be assigned to Laville's Phase VII (the Tursac Oscillation). Level 3 at Pataud belongs entirely to the subsequent Phase VIII.
3. The Protomagdalenian of the abri Pataud, Level 2
R. B. CLAY
The archaeological materials in Level 2 represent the remains of brief occupations of the shelter during several winter seasons (October to March). Formal hearts are absent from the level. ln addition to the small samples of artifacts and faunal refuse, Level 2 contained the partial skeletal remains of several humans, including the weil preserved skull of a young female.
Out of the total assemblage sample of more than 18,000 lithic and organic objects (excluding faunal refuse), approximately 1,150 formally retouched lithic tools are the objects of detailed study. Burins, primarily dihedral burins, dominate the typological inventoty (lB = 24.91), and scrapers are vety infrequent (lG = 3.37).
Nuclei and the principal tool classes (burins, scrapers, etc.) are here described and illustrated. A special technology was used for the production of distinctive microlithic objects, the so-called segmented backed bladelets. Sagaies of various kinds are weil represented in the osseous industty.
ln all respects, including detailed stylistic features, the Protomagdalenian of the abri Pataud is vety similar to that of Laugerie Haute. Except for some characteristics of the backed tools, it is not vety like the Perigordian VI at either site, and it cannot be seen as a precursor of the Magdalenian.
4. The Perigordian VI of the abriPataud,Level3
H. M. BRIKER, N. DAVID
Level 3 contains the remains of at least six successive but discontinuous occupations of the shelter. Most of the archaeological assemblage sample referred to globally as Pataud : 3 comes from the rich Lens 2, which is associated with the traces of an artificial habitation structure.
The Pataud: 3 assemblage sample includes more than 2000 objects (excluding unretouched debitage products and faunal refuse), of which approximately 1300 formal lithic tools are reported in detail. Burins, particularly truncation burins, dominate scrapers in the typologicalinventory (IB=31.39 ; IG =13.76). Backed tools, predominantly Gravette points (20.32) are very numerous.
For the lithic artifact classes, the descriptions given here summarize the previously published results of detailed attribute analysis. Distinctive elements in Pataud : 3 include scrapers on amorphous flakes, a few segmented backed bladelets (accompanying the far more numerous Gravette points), the socalled truncation borers, and a rich series of sagaies of several kinds.
The closest resemblances of the Pataud: 3 assemblage are with the PerigordianVI materials at Laugerie Haute. It does not resemble the Pataud : 4 Noaillian materials except for the shared predominance of truncation burins and the frequent occurrence of organic artifacts. Its similarities with the later units of Pataud : 5 indicate a direct continuity of technological tradition between the late Middle Perigordian(the classic Gravettian) and the Perigordian VI.
5. The Noaillian ("Perigordian Vc") of the abri Pataud, Level 4, Eboulis 3-4 : middle+ upper, and Level 4a
N. DAVID
The archaeological materials from Level 4, which consists of numerous, often localized lenses, have been grouped into larger units of analysis ; lower and middle-1contain Early Noaillian assemblage samples, whereas middle-2 and upper contain Late Noaillian materials. Out of a total sample of over 11,000 objects (excluding unretouched débitage products and faunal refuse), approximately 5200 retouched lithic tools form the basis of the typological study. Other small Late Noaillian samples come from the sediments immediately overlying Level 4.
Burins are far more frequent than scrapers throughout Level 4. Noailles burins and burin-points made by the dihedral technique are very common in the Early Noaillian, whereas Raysse burins, modified truncation burins, and burin-points made by the truncation technique characterize the Late Noaillian. Backed tools of any kind are extremely rare.
The descriptions of the scrapers, burins, etc. given here summarize the previously published results of detailed attribute analysis. The most distinctive elements of the Noaillian lithic industry are its specialized and highly patterned burins - Noailles burins, burin-points, and Raysse burins. End-scrapers with blunt-point (ogival) scraping edges occur frequently, as do end-scrapers of all shapes bearing marginal retouch. The rich organic industry includes small sagaies of several kinds as well as the large Isturitz sagaies.
The materials from Éboulis 3-4 : middle + lower, although sparse, certainly represents the Late Noaillian. The artifact sample from Level 4a (characteristic Noaillian burins apparently associated with many more backed tools than occur in Level 4) may represent a mechanical mixture of materials of different ages, but this is not clear.
The Noaillian assemblages of Pataud : 4 differ both quantitatively and qualitatively from the late Middle Perigordian of Pataud: 5 and the Perigordian VI of Pataud: 3. The stylistic distinctiveness of the Noaillian is not consistent with the view that it is merely a functionally specialized variant of a larger Perigordian tradition. The Pataud Noaillian is, rather, an expression of a cultural tradition that formed independently of the Perigordian of the region.
6. The Middle Perigordian of the abri Pataud, Level 5
Repeated episodes of cleaning and dumping during the Middle Perigordian occupation of the shelter caused some admixture of Aurignacian materials in the earliest Level 5 deposits and the complete removal from the rear of the shelter of all but the latest occupational debris and sediments. The archaeological assemblage sample referred to globally as Pataud : 5, which represents many localized lenses and larger analytic units, has been grouped into the earlier units (front : lower and front : middle) and the later units (front : upper and all of rear).
The typological inventories, based on over 5,600 retouched lithic tools, show that scrapers and burins, predominantly dihedral burins, occur at near parity in most units. Gravette points are very numerous (20 % to 30 %) in all units except the earliest, which contains many fléchettes.
The descriptions of the scrapers, burins, backed tools, etc. given here summarize the results of detailed attribute analysis. Distinctive elements in the Pataud : 5 assemblage sample include coupoirs, asymmetrical knives, fléchettes, and Gravette points. The osseous industry is very poor, and sagaies are nearly absent.
Detailed attribute analyses indicate that materials from the classic Gravettian levels at La Gravette (Noire, Rouge, Jaune) are very similar to (and presumably contemporaneous with) those from the later units of Pataud: 5 (and only these units). Assemblages like those representing most of the earlier units of Pataud: 5 are not found at La Gravette, except that the fléchette-rich level Lacorre called "Bayacian" is closely similar to the front : lower-2 materials of Pataud : 5.
7. The Aurignacian of the abri Pataud, Levels 6 to 14
A. S. BROOKS
The pattern of lithic variability in much of the Upper Palaeolithic is dominated by "styles" of artifact manufacture that are highly restricted in time and space, whereas the Middle Palaeolithic is characterized by varying constellations of attribute or artifact frequencies that are repeated with little variation over long time periods. The study of the Aurignacian assemblages from the abri Pataud was designed to determine to what extent these initial Upper Palaeolithic industries exhibit true "stylistic" variability.
Four Aurignacian phases are represented by the archaeological materiafs from the Levels 14 to 6 and associated éboulis deposits. They may be correfated as follows with the classic stages of the Périgord :
Level 6 After Aurignacian II (III / IV?)
Levels 7, 8 Aurignacian II
Levels 11, 12 Aurignacian I
Levels 13, 14 Before Aurignacian 1 (0 ?)
Changes in the organic industry are among the best indicators of sequential or "stylistic" change in the Pataud Aurignacian. For example, split-base points appear only in the early levels, the use of both the groove-and-splinter technique and extensive smoothing and polishing increases through time, and the technology of perforating ornaments becomes increasingly skilled.
The attribute system used here is an extension and adaptation to Aurignacian materials of earlier work at the abri Pataud. The tool classes examined are ordinary end-scrapers, Aurignacian scrapers, and burins of all kinds.
Chronological trends whithin the Pataud Aurignacian include the move away from split-base points, the increase in the frequency of burins (especially busked burins), and the decrease in Aurignacian marginal retouch and the use of large thick blades. However, most interassemblage attribute comparisons indicate oscillating or non directional variability. As represented at the abri Pataud, the Aurignacian tradition is fundamentally different from the Perigordian tradition in the degree to which "stylistic" variability is reflected in lithic materials.
