1. Home
2. Archive
3. 2020
4. 1/2020
5. Palaeolithic collection from Bize cave (France) in archeological depository of Anuchin Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology (Moscow State University)

Palaeolithic collection from Bize cave (France) in archeological depository of Anuchin Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology (Moscow State University)

Medvedev S.P.

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Anuchin Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Mochovaya st., 11, Moscow, 125009, Russia

Medvedev Stanislav Pavlovich, Researcher; ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0916-184X; stas-roi@mail.ru.

Abstract

Introduction. Artifacts from Bize cave (Aude, France) excavations are represented in archaeological depository of Anuchin Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology (Lomonosov Moscow State University). Archaeological fieldworks were directed by D.N. Anuchin and E. Cartailhac and took place in summer 1878. Recent research revealed that Pleistocene deposits could be divided into 11 archeological horizons spanning the Mousterian to the Magdalenian periods, highlighting the regional transition from the Middle to the Late Palaeolithic. The lower layers were consistent with multiple temporal occupations by Neanderthals during the Middle Palaeolithic; the middle horizons describe very brief, short-term Anatomically Modern Human’s occupations, which appear to be occasional hunting bivouacs of the Early Upper Palaeolithic (Aurignacian); the upper layers show long-term seasonal occupations - a base-camp of the Late Upper Palaeolithic (Magdalenian). Materials and methods. Collection consists of 68 items. It is divided into three group artifacts found in two cultural layers, defined by D.N. Anuchin and E. Cartailhac. Results and discussion. An analysis of the materials showed that quartz products belong to the Mousterian (Middle Palaeolithic). Flint tools are represented by the Upper Paleolithic types, some implements relate to the Aurignacian, others - to the Magdalenian. Antler weapons and bone artifacts are attributed to the middle and late stages of Magdalenian. 11 antler pieces are decorated with ornament.

Keywords

archaeology; Bize cave; Paleolithic; France; Mousterian; Aurignacian; Magdalenian

DOI: 10.32521/2074-8132.2020.1.115-122

Цит.: Medvedev S.P. Palaeolithic collection from Bize cave (France) in archeological depository of Anuchin Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology (Moscow State University) // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2020; 1/2020; с. 115-122