TRANSIT, an experimental archaeological program in periglacial environment: Problem, methodology, first results

Texier, Jean‐Pierre; Bertrán, Pascal; Coutard, Jean‐Pierre; Francou, Bernard; Gabert, Pierre; Guadelli, Jean‐Luc; Ozouf, Jean‐Claude; Plisson, Hugues; Raynal, Jean‐Paul; Vivent, Dominique

doi:10.1002/(sici)1520-6548(199806)13:5<433::aid-gea1>3.0.co;2-1

Cited by 30 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(30 reference statements)

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“…13). Such a process is in agreement with the data collected in modern solifluction environments, that indicate both downslope translation and diffusion of the experimental material [39]. Because of the inferred post-depositional processes, the spatial patterning of the level is thought to result to a large extent from natural processes.…”

Section: Croix-de-canardsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Some studies are also devoted to experimental archaeological sites. In the TRANSIT Project, that took place in a high-altitude periglacial slope environment at La Mortice, southern French Alps [39,40], five experimental cells of approximately a hundred flint and bone artefacts were placed on 5 to 12( slopes. During the 5 years of the experiment, a mean downslope displacement of the artefacts ranging from 4.5 to 18 cm was registered.…”

Section: Collective (Mass) Movements Of Particles Such Asmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fabric of Palaeolithic levels: methods and implications for site formation processes

Lenoble¹,

Bertrán

2004

Journal of Archaeological Science

128

113

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Section: Croix-de-canardsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Collective (Mass) Movements Of Particles Such Asmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fabric of Palaeolithic levels: methods and implications for site formation processes

Lenoble¹,

Bertrán

2004

Journal of Archaeological Science

128

113

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“…In experiments carried out at high altitudes in the French Alps, Texier et al (1998) emphasized the importance of the rapidity of damage on faunal remains left in a periglacial environment. According to Sutcliffe (1990), several factors appear to be important in controlling the rate of decay of mammalian remains in the Canadian High Arctic: 1) the position of remains and their relation to permafrost (whether they are buried or on the ground surface), 2) the amount of moisture, 3) the pH of the surrounding deposits or substrate, 4) the number of months of annual snow cover, and 5) the degree of exposure to temperature changes and other atmospheric processes.…”

Section: Discussion: Factors Explaining Bone Preservation At Tayaramentioning

confidence: 99%

Bone Weathering in a Periglacial Environment: The Tayara Site (KbFk-7), Qikirtaq Island, Nunavik (Canada)

Todisco¹,

Monchot²

2009

ARCTIC

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ABSTRACT. Bone weathering analysis of the Palaeoeskimo Tayara site (Qikirtaq Island, Nunavik, Canada) documents site taphonomy in the Arctic periglacial environment. Like a majority of sites in the eastern Canadian Arctic, Tayara has a faunal assemblage dominated by marine mammals (seal, walrus, and beluga whale) and some terrestrial mammals (caribou, fox, and bear). Statistical and spatial analyses of five weathering stages reveal that large mammal bone preservation is generally good and does not seem to be influenced by taxonomic and skeletal differences. The good preservation of the faunal assemblage seems to have been favored by the burial of bones and their incorporation into the active layer, which suggests only limited mechanical deterioration (i.e., freeze-thaw or wet-dry cycles, or both) before or at the time of burial. Burial depth partly explains the degree of bone weathering. Indeed, the well-preserved bones are found mainly where burial is associated with thicker overlying sediments. This implies rapid bone burial with a low degree of exposure to temperature changes and atmospheric processes. However, analysis also shows the presence of highly weathered bones where burial is associated with thicker overlying sediments. Consequently, differential bone depth probably does not explain all bone-weathering variability within the site. These results show the importance of examining bone weathering before any archaeozoological and paleoethnographic interpretations.Key words: bone weathering, taphonomy, large mammals, periglacial environment, spatial analysis, Palaeoeskimo RÉSUMÉ. L'analyse méthodique de la météorisation osseuse des restes fauniques du site paléoesquimau de Tayara (île Qikirtaq, Nunavik, Canada) documente la taphonomie d'un site archéologique en contexte périglaciaire arctique. Comme dans la plupart des sites arctiques de l'Est canadien, l'assemblage faunique de Tayara est dominé par des mammifères marins (phoque, morse et béluga) plus quelques mammifères terrestres (caribou, renard et ours). Les analyses statistiques et spatiales selon cinq stades d'altération reconnus montrent une bonne conservation des restes osseux des grands vertébrés, qui ne semble pas être influencée par les différences taxonomiques et squelettiques. La bonne conservation de l'assemblage osseux semble avoir été favorisée par l'enfouissement des ossements et leur incorporation dans la couche active. Ceci suggère une détérioration mécanique pré-et synenfouissement limitée (i.e., cycles gel-dégel et/ou d'hydratation-dessiccation). La profondeur d'enfouissement explique en partie le degré de préservation des ossements. En effet, les ossements les mieux conservés se rencontrent principalement dans les zones où les sédiments de recouvrement sont les plus épais. Ceci implique un enfouissement rapide ainsi qu'un faible degré d'exposition des ossements aux changements de température et aux processus atmosphériques. Les analyses montrent aussi la présence de quelques os fortement détériorés situés dans les zones où les sédimen...

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“…Nevertheless, recent new experiments show that bones can be destroyed as quickly as in warm zones [37]. However it is possible that some bone remains at Krako´w Spadzista Street (B) survived on the ground surface for a longer period of time, allowing access to the bones by large carnivores.…”

Section: Weatheringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Man and woolly mammoth at the Kraków Spadzista Street (B) – taphonomy of the site

Wojtal

Sobczyk²

2005

Journal of Archaeological Science

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TRANSIT, an experimental archaeological program in periglacial environment: Problem, methodology, first results

Cited by 30 publications

References 32 publications

Fabric of Palaeolithic levels: methods and implications for site formation processes

Fabric of Palaeolithic levels: methods and implications for site formation processes

Bone Weathering in a Periglacial Environment: The Tayara Site (KbFk-7), Qikirtaq Island, Nunavik (Canada)

Man and woolly mammoth at the Kraków Spadzista Street (B) – taphonomy of the site

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