: A new Late Upper Palaeolithic site in southwestern France: Le Petit Cloup Barrat (Cabrerets, Lot)

Abstract

International audienceDer Fundort Le Petit Cloup Barrat öffnet sich zum Rande einer kleinen Doline hin, in 800 m Entfernung vom Eingang der berühmten Bilderhöhle von Pech Merle. Bei den seit 2003 laufenden Ausgrabungen wurden zahlreiche lithische und organische Siedlungsreste zu Tage gefördert, die dem mittleren und frühen Magdalénien, dem Badegoulien und dem Solutréen zugeordnet werden können. Die ältesten Schichten der Stratigraphie sind noch zu ergraben.The site of Le Petit Cloup Barrat opens on the edge of a small doline, 800 meters from the entrance of the famous decorated cave, Pech Merle. Though partially excavated at the beginning of the 20th century, this site has never been published. A test pit was opened in 2003, followed by excavations since 2004. The stratigraphic sequence, the base of which is still unknown, has yielded abundant lithic and organic remains attributed to the Middle and Lower Magdalenian, Badegoulian and Solutrean. In the upper ensemble attributed to the Magdalenian, numerous flint blade tools (end scrapers, burins, borers and retouched blades) coexist with backed bladelets. The Badegoulian is identified based on flake tools, including raclettes and transverse burins. An original industry, characterized by the production of twisted bladelets backed on the right side made from carinate cores, can be attributed to a Lower Magdalenian distinct from the Badegoulian. Finally, the Solutrean, still little excavated, is characterised by fragmented shouldered points and one fragment of a willow leaf point. The organic industry includes eyed needles, retouchers on medium-sized ungulate diaphyses and antler projectile points. The body ornaments consist of grooved and/or pierced shells, especially Dentalium, and herbivore incisors (reindeer, ibex). A few fossils, some with distant origins, were also recovered. Archaeozoological analysis shows a strong presence of reindeer, while horse is also present in various levels. The osseous material preserved in the cave will allow precise analyses of the seasons of occupation, hunting strategies, and alimentary and technical priorities