Petrography of the lower Palaeolithic tool assemblage of the Caune de l'Arago (France)

Abstract

The Middle Pleistocene deposits at the Caune de l'Arago have yielded a Lower Palaeolithic industry containing over 100,000 pieces. The raw material is very diverse. Many rock types were locally available, but some come from more distant sources: cherts from 30 kilometres NE of the site, an abundantly used quartzite from at least 16 km S, minor types from river terraces 35 km SW, etc. These exotic rocks make up a large proportion of the assemblage, varying by layer: a third or more of the flakes, for instance, and one‐half of the small tools. This shows both appreciation of good quality raw material, and great mobility. Despite its age the assemblage does not show an opportunistic exploitation of local resources to satisfy immediate needs. In fact, it is evidence of the exploitation of an entire region, with curation of tools and collection of raw material to serve long‐term ends.

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