Figurines du Paléolithique supérieur en matière minérale plastique cuite d’Afalou Bou Rhummel (Babors, Algérie). Premières analyses par spectroscopie d’absorption Infrarouge

From 1983 to 1993, S. Hachi’s last excavations at the Afalou Bou Rhummel (Algeria) Babors coastal shelter have contextually produced numerous anthropological and zoological, clay figurines, all hand made and cooked, among Iberomaurusian Late Upper Palaeolithic remains. Regarding Maghrebian territories (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya), these so peculiar documents are strictly related to 15?000-11?000 BP levels, although deeper archaeological levels are 18?000 BP. Twenty eight small samples (less 1mg) were analysed through infrared absorption spectroscopy (IR) so as to precise, through typical transformation of the major mineral involved: kaolinite, smectites, and amorphous silicates, the final degree of temperature reached after cooking. These documents were all intentionally cooked between 500 and 800 °C. Local clay was obviously picked up for figurine elaboration.