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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.

Les fluctuations climatiques, eustatiques et tectoniques qui ont caractérisé la côte orientale de l'Arabie à l'Holocène moyen ont régulièrement modifié les équilibres entre les populations néolithiques et le milieu littoral. Le bilan des données géoarchéologiques de la région orientale du Ja 'alan (Sultanat d'Oman) indique de nombreuses variations dans la dynamique des écosystèmes côtiers (mer, lagunes, mangroves). Elles nécessitent de la part des communautés humaines une adaptation aux nouvelles conditions écologiques, sensible notamment dans l'évolution des spectres de ressources animales identifiées sur les sites. Alors que les populations du VIe au IVe millénaire se concentrent sur et exploitent surtout le littoral (amas coquilliers), les cultures du Bronze ancien qui leur succèdent au IIIe millénaire répondent à ces contraintes par une spécialisation marine nettement plus affirmée (prédation littorale et hauturière) et une intensification des échanges économiques à l 'échelle régionale en relation avec le développement de l'élevage et d 'une agriculture d'oasis dans les piémonts de l 'arrière-pays. Aux stations temporaires spécialisées dans la pêche viennent s 'ajouter des sites portuaires tournés vers les échanges à longue distance.

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