Marked changes in human dispersal and development during the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition have been attributed to massive volcanic eruption and/or severe climatic deterioration. We test this concept using records of volcanic ash layers of the Campanian Ignimbrite eruption dated to
ca.
40,000 y ago (40 ka B.P.). The distribution of the Campanian Ignimbrite has been enhanced by the discovery of cryptotephra deposits (volcanic ash layers that are not visible to the naked eye) in archaeological cave sequences. They enable us to synchronize archaeological and paleoclimatic records through the period of transition from Neanderthal to the earliest anatomically modern human populations in Europe. Our results confirm that the combined effects of a major volcanic eruption and severe climatic cooling failed to have lasting impacts on Neanderthals or early modern humans in Europe. We infer that modern humans proved a greater competitive threat to indigenous populations than natural disasters.
By a taphonomical study of the osteological remains issuing from the site of Camiac, we show that it was a hyena den. We spécifie the mode of feeding of this Carnivorous. The anatomical distribution of the remains and the way of the bones where broken are very different of the one of an archaeological site stricto sensu.
Key-words : Taphonomy, Hyena den, archaeological site, Camiac, Combe-Grenal, South-West France.
mort des animaux qui proviennent des sites préhistoriques repose encore souvent sur l'examen de l'usure dentaire, il n'est pas raisonnable de se satisfaire des âges bruts obtenus car ils sont entachés d'erreur et/ou d'imprécisions. De plus tous les auteurs s'accordent pour reconnaître que passer 8 ans, il devient extrêmement difficile de déterminer l'âge d'un Cheval. Ce travail fait le point sur l'ensemble de ces difficultés et définit 5 classes d'âge basées sur la séquence éruption/usure des dents à la fois labiales et jugales.
L'étude biométrique des restes de Renne découverts à Combe-Grenal a permis de mettre en évidence quelques différences de taille significatives au niveau dentaire entre le Renne des couches 35 à 26 et ceux des couches 25 à 1 plus récentes. De telles différences ne semblent pas se manifester sur le squelette post-crânien.
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