Neanderthal subsistence strategies in Southeastern France between the plains of the Rhone Valley and the mid-mountains of the Massif Central (MIS 7 to MIS 3)

摘要

New investigations of finds from middle Rhone Valley sites (Le Figuier, Abri du Maras, Baume Flandin and Ranc Pointu 2) and from the mountainous southeastern area of the Massif Central (Sainte-Anne I, especially the unpublished data for unit J2) allowed assembly of new data on both chronological and environmental grounds for human occupation and consequently on Neanderthal subsistence strategies in this area. The southeastern Massif Central region makes it possible to examine Neanderthal occupation modes in an area linking medium altitude territories with the plains of the Rhone River corridor. This work aims to determine site occupation events and territory management strategies for these two environments. The variability of the site occupation types in the middle Rhone Valley supports the hypothesis of human groups who anticipated their land use strategies, and suggests a particular type of circulating model for these areas. The evidence suggests that the human presence consists of brief stopping-places, short-term regular camps (interspersed with some occupations by carnivores), or long-term residential camps. The types of occupation observed in the two mountain sites of Velay (Sainte-Anne I cave and Baume-Vallee rock-shelter) a priori do not indicate occupations specific to an environment at this altitude. On the contrary, they suggest the existence of short-term regular camps, probably seasonally utilised and exploited when good seasons favoured the expansion of accessible territories. The sites in the plains of the Rhone Valley corridor indicate a greater variety of occupation types, but still within the framework of strong seasonal mobility.