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

Isabelle Théry-Parisot; Stephanie Thiebault; Jean Delannoy; Catherine Ferrier; Valérie Feruglio; Carole Fritz; Bernard Gély; Pierre Guibert; Julien Monney; Gilles Tosello; Jean Clottes; Jean-Michel Geneste

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

Isabelle Théry-Parisot ¹ Stephanie Thiebault ² Jean Delannoy ³ Catherine Ferrier ⁴ Valérie Feruglio ⁵ Carole Fritz ⁶ Bernard Gély ⁷ Pierre Guibert ⁸ Julien Monney Gilles Tosello ⁶ Jean Clottes ⁹ Jean-Michel Geneste ⁴

1 CEPAM - Culture et Environnements, Préhistoire, Antiquité, Moyen-Age

2 AASPE - Archéozoologie, archéobotanique : sociétés, pratiques et environnements

3 EDYTEM - Environnements, Dynamiques et Territoires de la Montagne

4 PACEA - De la Préhistoire à l'Actuel : Culture, Environnement et Anthropologie

5 ArScAn - Archéologies et Sciences de l'Antiquité

6 TRACES - Travaux et recherches archéologiques sur les cultures, les espaces et les sociétés

7 Service régional de l'Archéologie Rhône-Alpes

8 IRAMAT-CRP2A - IRAMAT-Centre de recherche en physique appliquée à l’archéologie

IRAMAT - Institut de Recherches sur les Archéomatériaux

9 Chercheur indépendant

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.

Document type :

Journal articles

Domain :

Environmental Sciences / Global Changes

Environmental Sciences / Biodiversity and Ecology

Environmental Sciences / Environmental Engineering

Environmental Sciences / Environmental and Society

Humanities and Social Sciences / Geography

Complete list of metadatas

https://hal-sde.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01877648
Contributor : Christine Maury Referent Hal Edytem <>
Submitted on : Thursday, September 20, 2018 - 10:40:56 AM
Last modification on : Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - 10:11:22 AM

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

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

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