Plant resins, tars and organic fossil substances provide valuable insights into the ecological, environmental and cultural contexts of ancient societies. Their study offers evidence of past knowhow, production systems, socio-economic networks and mobility. In this paper, we present new data from 16 sites located in the North-West Mediterranean that provide new insights into the exploitation of these substances for their adhesive and hydrophobic properties throughout the Neolithic (6000-2500 cal BCE). The substances investigated are discussed in the light of their molecular composition, their uses and manufacturing processes. Spatial analyses were also performed to elucidate raw material procurement strategies. This study considerably increases the body of data available from the Mediterranean and tells a diachronic story of adhesive production and use throughout the Neolithic, highlighting the variability and complexity of production systems and supply networks at different spatial scales. While most adhesive and hydrophobic substances were probably collected locally, birch bark tar was very likely transported across long distances to reach Mediterranean coastal sites. Birch bark tar exploitation intensified in South-Eastern France during the Middle Neolithic, while the Late Neolithic is characterised by a diversification of the substances employed and their range of uses: bitumen, birch bark tar (pure or mixed with Pinaceae resin, beeswax and possibly fat/oil) were important materials that were used for a variety of purposes. Pure Pinaceae exudates were exclusively employed for waterproofing pottery. We also highlight the standardisation of birch bark tar production for adhesive manufacture observed in Provence during the first part of the 4 th millennium cal. BCE.

Un aUtre regard sUr le gisement dU boUlevard périphériqUe nord de lyon (rhône) aU néolithiqUe et à l'âge dU bronze Secteurs 94.1 et 94.8 Joël Vital * avec la collaboration de

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Established at the heart of the third century BC necropolis, this ustrinum was most probably reused on numerous occasions during this period. Despite the fact that the structure has been highly damaged by later constructions and their excavations, the structure does allow a new analysis of late Iron Age funerary practices. This study forms part of current work for a monograph on the necropoli from Ensérune (fifth -third centuries BC) which considers the resumption of area-excavations and follows on from the publication in 1995 of five tombs dated to the third century BC.

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