Fouille d'un site paléolithique à Solutré

Summary

The video explores an archaeological site in Solutré, where researchers are excavating a Magdalenian hunting camp, dating back around 15,000 years. The excavation reveals various tools, animal remains, and traces of woodworking, shedding light on the lives of nomadic hunter-gatherers. The site, which is associated with a unique rock formation, played a crucial role in ancient hunting strategies. The findings, including stone tools, bones, and a rare carved deer bone, will be displayed at the Solutré Museum, enhancing our understanding of the Magdalenian period and the region's prehistoric history.

Takeaways

• 😀 The excavation site at Solutré, located near a famous rock formation, dates back to around 15,000 years ago during the Magdalénian period.
• 😀 Archaeologists from Inrap are investigating a hunting stopover site, which was organized around a hearth, a central element for many activities.
• 😀 The site reveals a wide variety of materials, including bone and flint tools, indicating different tasks were carried out there.
• 😀 The site contains numerous animal remains, including fragments of bones like a jawbone from a reindeer, which offer insights into the fauna of the time.
• 😀 Archaeologists discovered an interesting tool fragment, possibly a 'percussion tool' made from reindeer antler, which was likely used for flintworking.
• 😀 Apart from butchering animals, other activities such as woodworking, weapon-making, and needle crafting were performed at the site.
• 😀 The Magdalénian people were nomadic hunters, and their settlements were short-term, indicating their movement across the landscape.
• 😀 The Solutré site holds artifacts that show the advanced tool-making techniques of the time, such as flint blades, scrapers, and a perforated bone.
• 😀 The Solutré Museum, which opened in 1987, showcases these important finds and integrates the site’s natural surroundings for a deeper educational experience.
• 😀 The site at Solutré has been continuously occupied for nearly 50,000 years, with repeated use across different periods of prehistory, making it an important location for archaeological research.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Solutré site in prehistoric archaeology?

The Solutré site is important because it provides evidence of a long-term human presence, dating back nearly 50,000 years, showcasing various prehistoric activities like hunting, tool-making, and animal processing. It also offers insights into the strategies used by humans for hunting and surviving in a harsh environment.

What time period does the Magdalénien site at Solutré correspond to?

The Magdalénien site at Solutré dates to around 15,000 years before our era, specifically between 17,000 and 15,000 BCE, which places it in the Upper Paleolithic period.

What kinds of activities took place at the Solutré hunting stop?

At Solutré, various activities occurred, including hunting, animal butchery, woodworking (specifically with reindeer antlers), tool-making, and the crafting of needles for sewing animal hides.

What types of materials were found at the Solutré archaeological site?

The site revealed a variety of materials, including bone fragments, such as a reindeer jaw, animal ribs, and a bone tool used for flint-working. Additionally, there were numerous flint tools, such as nuclei (core tools), scrapers, and a perforated deer antler.

What does the presence of flint tools suggest about the Magdalénien people?

The presence of flint tools suggests that the Magdalénien people were skilled in creating sharp tools for butchering animals, crafting items, and potentially even hunting. These tools were likely made by shaping stones into more functional forms like scrapers and points.

How does the concept of 'short-term occupation' relate to the Magdalénien people?

The Magdalénien people were nomadic, occupying certain areas for short periods, such as at Solutré, to exploit resources like hunting grounds. These short-term occupations were typical of Upper Paleolithic life, where people moved frequently to follow animal migrations and seasonal availability of resources.

What does the term 'percuteur' refer to in this context?

A 'percuteur' is a tool used to strike or shape other materials, specifically flint, to create sharp-edged tools. A fragment of reindeer antler found at Solutré is thought to have been used as a percuteur, demonstrating how the Magdalénien people crafted tools.

What role did the Solutré rock formation likely play in prehistoric hunting strategies?

The Solutré rock formation likely served as a natural feature that helped prehistoric hunters channel animal herds toward traps or ambushes. The rock's shape and location may have aided in corralling migrating herds during their seasonal movements.

Why are the artifacts from Solutré particularly valuable to researchers?

The artifacts from Solutré are valuable because they are exceptionally well-preserved and abundant, offering detailed insights into the tools, techniques, and daily activities of Magdalénien people. These artifacts help researchers understand the specific behaviors and practices of prehistoric humans.

What is the significance of the Musée de Préhistoire de Solutré?

The Musée de Préhistoire de Solutré is significant because it houses the artifacts found at the Solutré site, allowing for a deeper understanding of Magdalénien life. The museum is integrated into the natural landscape of the site, making it a key location for public education and research.