Illuminating the cave, drawing in black: wood charcoal analysis at Chauvet-Pont d'Arc - HAL-SDE - Sciences de l'environnement Access content directly
Journal Articles Antiquity Year : 2018

Illuminating the cave, drawing in black: wood charcoal analysis at Chauvet-Pont d'Arc

Julien Monney

Abstract

The Grotte Chauvet is world renowned for the quality and diversity of its Palaeolithic art. Fire was particularly important to the occupants, providing light and producing charcoal for use in motifs. Charcoal samples were taken systematically from features associated with the two main occupation phases (Aurignacian and Gravettian). Analysis showed it to be composed almost entirely of pine (Pinus sp.), indicating the harsh climatic conditions at this period. No distinction in wood species was found between either the two occupation episodes or the various depositional contexts. The results throw new light on the cultural and palaeoenvironmental factors that influenced choices underlying the collection of wood for charcoal production.
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Dates and versions

hal-01877648 , version 1 (20-09-2018)

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Isabelle Théry-Parisot, Stephanie Thiebault, Jean Delannoy, Catherine Ferrier, Valérie Feruglio, et al.. Illuminating the cave, drawing in black: wood charcoal analysis at Chauvet-Pont d'Arc. Antiquity, 2018, 92 (362), pp.320 - 333. ⟨10.15184/aqy.2017.222⟩. ⟨hal-01877648⟩
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