Sex-ratio et stratégies de chasse au Paléolithique : l'apport de l'analyse des mélanges

Dans les études zooarchéologiques, il est important d\u27avoir accès au sex-ratios des populations. Une approche statistique moderne, l\u27analyse des mélanges, nous permet d\u27appréhender cette donnée. Elle consiste a déterminer combien de groupes sont présents dans l\u27échantillon, deux dans ce cas, dans quelles proportions et d\u27estimer tous les paramètres en conséquence. Des études portant sur le mouflon de la Caune de l\u27Arago (Tautavel, France) ont montrées la présence d\u27un grand nombre de femelles par rapport aux mâles pour le niveau archéologique F. En accord avec l\u27éthologie de ces animaux, les stratégies de chasse montrent une sélection des proies. Nous pouvons alors en conclure à la présence des Homo erectus sur le site durant les mois de printemps et d\u27été.In zooarchaeological studies, it is often important to be able to assess sexual dimorphism and sex ratios in populations. A modern statistical approach to handle this problem is Mixture Analysis. It consists of determining how many groups are present in the sample, two in this case, in which proportions they occur, and estimating the parameters accordingly. The analysis of mouflon bones from Arago cave (Tautavel, France) indicates that there are more females than males in the F-layer. According to the ethology of this animal, this suggests a selective hunting strategy. Thereby, we conclude that Homo erectus was present on the site during spring and summer periods.</p

Al-Kharj 2011–2012. 1st and 2nd seasons of the Saudi-French Archaeological Mission

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Dûma II, The 2011 report of the Saudi-Italian-French archaeological project at Dûmat al-Jandal, Saudi Arabia.

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Kalavan-2 (north of Lake Sevan, Armenia) : a new Late Middle Paleolithic site in the lesser Caucasus

International audienceDuring a survey conducted in 2005, the open-air site of Kalavan-2 was discovered located at an altitude of about 1600 m in the mountains dominating the northern bank of Lake Sevan (Armenia). The site yielded a Paleolithic industry associated with faunal remains, indicating that this is an important locality in the study of Armenian prehistory. Excavations at Kalavan-2 have revealed a stratigraphic sequence with several phases of occupation attributed to the Middle Paleolithic period. A radiocarbon date of a fragment of dental enamel from a large bovid provided an age of 34,200 ± 360 BP for the Mousterian level 7, con rming the attribution of this deposit to the nal phase of the Middle Paleolithic and the importance of this site for the study of the last presence of Neanderthals in the Southern Caucasus