Nourriture (Préhistoire) : alimentation carnée

On traitera ici de l’alimentation préhistorique des derniers chasseurs cueilleurs telliens et atlasiques d’Algérie qui évoquent le mieux des comportements en voie de mutation, passant de chasses ou récoltes opportunistes à des chasses spécialisées, organisées qui révèlent une maîtrise de l’éthologie de certaines espèces. L’alimentation carnée est obtenue par le biais de la chasse et/ou du charognage d’animaux sauvages, ou bien par l’abattage de têtes de troupeaux domestiques. Durant les temps..

Outarde

Les outardes sont des oiseaux échassiers trapus appartenant à l’une des 27 espèces de la famille des otididés. Ces oiseaux se rencontrent généralement dans les milieux tropicaux ou tempérés chauds d’Eurasie et d’Afrique ; ainsi que dans les plaines herbeuses, les steppes et les déserts avec peu de végétation. Les espèces les plus communément rencontrées au Maghreb sont la grande outarde, l’outarde canepetière et l’outarde houbara. L’outarde est connue au Maghreb dès les temps préhistoriques p..

Preliminary data on the exploitation of marine malacofauna by the Iberomaurusian groups of the Abri Alain rock shelter (Oran, Algeria)

Research on the Iberomaurusian has significantly increased in recent years, resulting in a better overall understanding of this period. However, studies focusing on human-animal relationships are still rare, especially for the exploitation of marine resources, which is paradoxical as most of the sites are located in coastal areas. In this work, we re-evaluate the marine malacofauna from the 1930s excavation of the Abri Alain rock shelter (Oran, Algeria), currently located five kilometers from the Mediterranean shore. The results obtained record the exploitation of marine resources by recent Iberomaurusian populations (~15 ka cal. BP). This malacofauna was used for subsistence but also as ornamentation. The consumed molluscs (Patellidae, Mytilidae, Trochidae) are characteristic of the intertidal zone of rocky shores. These species were probably gathered during low tides. Shells used as ornamentation (Dentaliidae, Glycymerididae, Cardiidae, Turritellidae) were originated from secondary locations

Essai d’interprétation du statut économique du Megaceroides algericus durant l’Ibéromaurusien dans le massif des Babors (Algérie)

Le Cervidé mégacérin (Megaceroides algericus) est une espèce éteinte de cervidés présente au Maghreb dès le début du Pléistocène supérieur. Fréquent dans les sites du Paléolithique moyen et supérieur, sa présence se raréfie d’un point de vue quantitatif dans les sites ibéromaurusiens (Paléolithique supérieur final). L’étude archéozoologique réalisée sur les assemblages fauniques des deux sites de Tamar Hat et de Taza 1 (région des Babors) confirme cette observation et démontre que, malgré cette insuffisance numérique en termes de nombre de restes déterminés (NRD) et de nombre minimum d’individus (NMI), cette espèce devait avoir un statut particulier chez les populations ibéromaurusiennes de la région des Babors, en tant que produit consommé, transformé et utilisé.Megaceroides algericus is an extinct cervid species living in the Maghreb from the beginning of Upper Pleistocene. It was frequent in both Middle and Upper Palaeolithic sites. However, Megaceroides algericus presence stage becomes scarce in terms of population number in Iberomaurusian sites (Final Upper Paleolithic). Our study of Tamar Hat and Taza 1 sites (Babors’ Region) supports this observation and shows that in spite of insufficient number of animal remains (NISP) and individuals (MNI), this species had a particular interest (status) for Iberomaurisian populations of Babors’ Region, as a food product as well as raw material to be processed in order to be utilized as final “manufactured” product

Comportements de subsistance des Ibéromaurusiens d'après l'analyse archéozoologique des mammifères des sites de Tamar Hat, Taza 1 et Columnata (Algérie)

Une nouvelle culture préhistorique, l Ibéromaurusien, apparaît au 22e millénaire. Elle se développe en Afrique du Nord et s organise autour d un complexe industriel lamellaire. Pour une meilleure compréhension des modes de subsistance des Ibéromaurusiens, nous avons mené une étude archéozoologique sur trois gisements d Algérie. Il en ressort d importantes analogies dans les stratégies cynégétiques. Ces populations pratiquaient une chasse sélective orientée vers le gibier le plus abondant localement (Mouflon à manchettes dans les montagnes, alcélaphe dans les Hauts Plateaux). D autres taxons ont été consommés occasionnellement. La fracturation intense des ossements indique une exploitation poussée des carcasses. En outre, les techniques de boucherie récurrentes évoquent une homogénéité des gestes qui perdurent sur de longues périodes. Il semble donc que les Ibéromaurusiens constituaient des populations inféodées à un territoire parfaitement exploité dont les comportements relevaient de mêmes traditionsA new prehistoric culture, the Iberomaurusian, emerged at the 22nd millennium. It spread in the North of Africa and was organized around an industrial complex based on the production of bladelets. For a better comprehension of the subsistence behaviours of these prehistoric men, we carried out a zooarchaeological study from three Iberomaurusian sites of Algeria. We showed some analogies in hunting strategies: selective hunting of the most abundant local game (the Barbary sheep in the mountains and the Hartebeest in grasslands). Other taxa were occasionnally consumed. The intensive bone fracturing indicates complete carcass exploitation. Moreover, there were recurrent butchery techniques on the three Algerian sites which existed over a long period. Therefore, it may show that the Iberomaurusians belong to a cultural group that lived on a perfectly exploited territory and whose behaviour reveals shared traditionsPARIS-Museum Hist.Naturelle (751052304) / SudocSudocFranceF

Données préliminaires sur l’exploitation de la malacofaune marine par les groupes ibéromaurusiens de l’abri Alain (Oran, Algérie)

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Faunal analysis of the Neolithic units from the Gueldaman Cave GLD1 (Akbou, Algeria) and the shift in sheep/goat husbandry

The GDL1 cave belongs to the large karst network of the Adrar Gueldaman ridges (Northern Algeria). New excavations by the Centre National de Recherches Prehistoriques, Anthropologiques et Historiques (CNRPAH) since 2010 have yielded rich archaeological remains dated between 7002 cal BP and 1484 cal BP. The paper presents results of the zooarchaeological analysis of the macromammals from the Neolithic units in sectors S2 and S3. They reveal the presence of a restricted fauna, dominated by sheep and goat, goat being more frequent than sheep. Domestic cattle and pig may also be present. The age profiles of the goat/sheep finds suggest a shift in the management of the sheep/goat herds aiming first at the production of meat and later at the production of meat and secondary products

Perforated La,d snails shells in western Mediterranean during late Pleistocene-early Holocene: preliminary study

International audienceSince the beginning of the 20th century, certain works (e.g. Debruge and Mercier, 1912, Debruge, 1910) have mentioned the presence of terrestrial snail shells pierced in archaeological sites of eastern Algeria. These sites are locally called “rammadiyat” (or “escargotières”). After about a century, new studies are interested in this phenomenon (Hutterer et al., 2011, 2014, Saafi et al., Submitted). Although the appearance of perforated gastropod has been identified since the Aurignacian (in the Iberian Peninsula). and the Iberomaurusian (in North Africa), they are more abundant in recent periods (Mesolithic / Capsian). In the North African sites the percentage of pierced shells does not exceed 20% of the malacological assemblage at each site. Generally, the perforations are similar in shape, size and position. However, thanks to an ethnographic study, an experimentation program and a traceological analysis some differences can be highlighted and we have been able to identify the techniques used to make the perforations and their function. Some of the perforations were made pierced by human canine teeth or by a cutting tool (blades or slats for example). In most of the cases when the perforations are located in the upper part of the spire they are used to facilitate the extraction of the animal from its shell when the latter resists in the upper part of the shell. The perforations at the last body whorl (behind the peristome) are fewer. They are related to the production of ornaments (necklaces) and, up to now, they are only present on the Maghreb. This is an example of the new role of continental malacofauna in the daily life of human groups. Moreover, due to the limited presence at a few sites, these perforated terrestrial snail shells are considered to be markers of the mobility of human groups in the western Mediterranean

Preliminary results from excavations at Gueldaman Cave GLD1 (Akbou, Algeria)

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