Geochemical identity of pre-Dogon and Dogon populations at Bandiagara (Mali, 11th–20th cent. AD)

Bone geochemistry of pre-Dogon (11th–16th cent. AD) and Dogon (17th–20th cent. AD) populations buried in two caves of the Bandiagara Cliff (Mali) was examined for the purpose of exploring their diet and mobility. While the Dogon were the subject of extensive ethnographic studies, the lifestyle of the pre-Dogon, so-called “Tellem” is not known. We therefore compared the geochemical composition of Dogon bones with the results obtained from modern dietary surveys in Mali, to establish the parameters of a dietary model that was further applied to the pre-Dogon in order to expand our knowledge concerning their way of life. The exceptional preservation of the bones of both populations was confirmed not only at the macroscopic scale, but also at the mineralogical, histological and geochemical levels, which resemble those of fresh bones, and therefore offered ideal conditions for testing this approach. 15The application of the Bayesian mixing model FRUITS, based on bone δ13C (apatite and collagen) and bone δ N values, suggested a dietary continuity through time, from the 11th century to today. Bone barium (Ba) content revealed very restricted mobility within the Cliff while bone δ18O values indicated that Pre-Dogon and Dogon most likely occupied the Bandiagara Plateau and the Cliff, respectively

Interview en direct de Mathieu Vidard, émission radiophonique "La terre au carré" du lundi 3 janvier 2022, France Inter

émission en directe (55 minutes

A sustainable review of the Middle Pleistocene benchmark sites including the Ailuropoda–Stegodon faunal complex: The Proboscidean point of view

International audienceThe different ecologies, times of extinction and 'last stand' of both Elephas and Stegodon in Southeast Asia is covering almost two million years. For Middle Pleistocene, both taxa belong to the complex Ailuropoda-Stegodon. This regional complex is considered to have a chronological significance and further palaeoecological, palaeobiogeographical or biochronological studies are using this assemblage as a benchmark. Nevertheless, such studies do not provide sufficient information regarding site formation and duration to be consistent enough to do so at an appropriate resolution (MIS timescale). Focussing attention on the occurrence of Proboscideans, a critical review of the robustness of the geological, taphonomical and chronological data of Middle Pleistocene faunal assemblages suggests to undertake a deep reappraisal of this "biochronological benchmark". Recomandations were provided in the 1980s not to use mixtures of faunal assemblages and progress in geochronology for two decades are available. Nevertheless, reviewing Proboscideans suggests the necessity of a severe revision and leads to be very sceptical on the use of the Ailuropoda-Stegodon complex as an ecological marker. Extended to other taxa such a review casts serious doubts on former and current paleoecological modellings and studies

The Ban Don Mun artifacts: A chronological reappraisal of human occupations in the Lampang province of Northern Thailand

International audienceIndia, the timing and geography of human demographic expansions in continental Southeast Asia remains ambiguous. The recent discovery of a series of stone artifacts spread over a basalt level at Ban Don Mun in the Lampang province of northern Thailand presents an ideal opportunity for reevaluating lithic assemblages documented during the 1970s and 1980s in the same region. Both the position of these stone tools and new absolute dates indicate a Middle Pleistocene age and call into question the status of these artifacts as the oldest yet found in Southeast Asia. The uncertain geo-chronological context and technological analysis of the chopper industry from previous work in the Lampang area prompted us to undertake new surveys in continental Southeast Asia in order to help clarify the route and timing of Pleistocene human expansions in this part of the world

New evidence of old stone tools from the Mekong terraces, Cambodia

The study of prehistoric sites with lithic remains indicates that the occupation of continental Asia, notably India and China, seems to have taken place earlier than previously thought. However, this Early Pleistocene human dispersal out of Africa remains debatable for the Southeast of Asia, in spite of the discovery of original lithic assemblages on the Mekong terraces dated to the very beginning of the Middle Pleistocene in the centre of Cambodia, by Saurin and Carbonnel in the 1960-1970s. Although this fundamental lithic material has become a reference, it has not been subjected to renewed study of these artefacts over the past decades, and it is thus not possible, for the moment, to attribute it with certainty to a particular culture. In this paper, we present an analysis of the raw materials and a techno-typological study of a similar series of prehistoric tools gathered by one of us in order to bring to light new elements concerning the first Palaeolithic occupation of this region of the world. (C) 2013 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved

Characterization of painting pigments and ochres associated with the Hoabinhian archaeological context at the rock-shelter site of Doi Pha Kan (Thailand)

International audienceThe use of ochre in mortuary practices was widespread during prehistory. In northern Thailand, several painted rock-shelters attributed to Iron age or Neolithic cultures have provided burials characterized by the presence of pigment fragments and ochres deposits. In the case of Doi Pha Kan, data collected during excavations have highlighted the important role of ochre in funerary rites dating from 13,172 to 10,986 cal BC. The presence of painted panels overhanging Hoabinhian burials raises the question of their chronology and association to painting activities. To investigate this issue at Doi Pha Kan, we applied a multi-analytical approach (optical microscopy, SEM-EDS, Raman spectroscopy, XRF spectroscopy, XRD and μXRD) on painting pigments and ochres associated with a grave (dpk E-5) and the archaeological context to determine the mineralogical and elemental composition of pigment raw materials. We showed that the composition of raw pigments from the archaeological context is homogeneous, suggesting a common geological source characterized by the presence of As. In contrast, pigments on the painted panel have variable compositions indicating that panels were created in different time periods. The pigment used for anthropomorphic figure is the only one similar to the materials identified in the archaeological levels and burial at Doi Pha Kan. Without possibility of direct dating, it is not possible to establish a direct link between the these anthropomorphic figure paintings and mortuary practices, however two painted wall fragments were discovered in the archaeological layers attest to a long tradition of rock painting for at least 13,000 years at this site

Ethnochemistry in the Dogon country (Mali, 11th-18th century)

Les méthodes analytiques de la biogéochimie s’appliquent depuis plusieurs dizaines d’années aux études archéologiques. L’une des questions majeures posées par cette approche reste la conservation des signaux biogéochimiques pendant la phase taphonomique. Nous proposons ici un exemple qui a fait l’objet d’une présentation poster au 7ème Congrès sur la diagénèse des ossements de Lyon (7th International Bone Diagenesis Meeting Lyon, France, October 22nd-25th 2013).Les informations concernant les habitudes alimentaires sont enregistrées dans les os du squelette durant la vie des individus. Mais elles peuvent être ensuite perturbées par des modifications minéralogiques intervenant après l’inhumation. Cependant, certaines conditions favorisent la conservation des tissus squelettiques qui sont préservés de cette altération post-mortem. C’est en particulier le cas des ossements déposés depuis quelques siècles (xie-xviiie) dans les grottes funéraires des falaises de Bandiagara (Mali) par les Tellem, puis par les Dogon. Ils sont macroscopiquement semblables aux os frais. Leur extraordinaire état de préservation aux plans minéralogique, géochimique et organique est démontré par les études par diffraction des rayons X, la mesure de leur teneur en matière organique, l’observation histologique sur lame mince, leur composition chimique élémentaire (Mg, Na, F, Mn, Fe, Y, La, Ce, U) et le rapport calcium versus phosphore.Comme en Afrique de l’Ouest, les éléments concernant l’approche de l’alimentation passée sont rares, ces squelettes humains offrent l’opportunité de tester la qualité des données géochimiques sur la paléodiète dans les domaines du δ13C, δ18O, Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca pour l’apatite osseuse, et du δ13C and δ15N pour le collagène. Les résultats sont discutés en fonction d’approches ethnologiques réalisées en Mali rural

An integrative study of new environmental and cultural data from the Hoabinhian of Laang Spean Cave (Cambodia) including modern human remains

International audienceAlthough the Hoabinhian culture is renowned for its unifacial pebble tools and its discovery dates back more than a century, only a handful of sites provide complete information on this period. The site of Laang Spean, in Cambodia, has recently been described as a burial cave for the Neolithic period, but it was previously known as an emblematic Hoabinhian site for Cambodia. More comprehensive studies indicate that it offers a wide window onto the settlement of the Hoabinhian between 12900 and 5000 cal BP. The archaeological layer of the Hoabinhian culture at Laang Spean include faunal, human and lithic remains that enrich our understanding of the environment and way of life of this ancient culture. The faunal assemblage, dominated by bovines, tortoises, molluscs, and cervids, reflects a diverse ecosystem and the adaptability of the Hoabinhian people. The presence of both humid and dry forest indicators, alongside significant wetland areas, suggests their ability to exploit a variety of habitats. The lithic assemblage, characterized by a lower representation of unifaces and greater use of split cobbles, reflects a continuity in basic lithic reduction strategies with minor diachronic changes in raw material selection and tool production, possibly reflecting technological adaptations and increased intensity of occupation. The discovery of human remains, though challenging to contextualize precisely, contributes to understanding settlement patterns and cultural links in prehistoric Southeast Asia. The new data allow for a deeper interpretation of the environmental adaptations and hunting strategies of the Hoabinhian people, including their responses to climatic changes, such as the end of the Younger Dryas. This enhanced knowledge significantly contributes to our comprehension of the environmental dynamics and subsistence practices in prehistoric Southeast Asia and underscores the necessity of reassessing key Hoabinhian sites with modern excavation and dating techniques

The Ban Don Mun artifacts: A chronological reappraisal of human occupations in the Lampang province of Northern Thailand

International audienceIndia, the timing and geography of human demographic expansions in continental Southeast Asia remains ambiguous. The recent discovery of a series of stone artifacts spread over a basalt level at Ban Don Mun in the Lampang province of northern Thailand presents an ideal opportunity for reevaluating lithic assemblages documented during the 1970s and 1980s in the same region. Both the position of these stone tools and new absolute dates indicate a Middle Pleistocene age and call into question the status of these artifacts as the oldest yet found in Southeast Asia. The uncertain geo-chronological context and technological analysis of the chopper industry from previous work in the Lampang area prompted us to undertake new surveys in continental Southeast Asia in order to help clarify the route and timing of Pleistocene human expansions in this part of the world