J. Deprat,l’Eubée (Grèce) et les fossiles introuvables

In Evia (Greece), limestones attributed to the lower Cretaceous by J. Deprat are in fact of Triassic to Upper Jurassic age. These erroneous attributions are based on the allegedly presence of Barremian and Albian fossils and on the supposed progressive passage of these limestones to the Cenomanian ones. Generally, except for the upper Cretaceous rich in Rudists and known since older works, a big part of the stratigraphical attributions of J. Deprat in Median Evia are erroneous.     

Nouvelles observations sur les Miogypsinidés du Miocène inférieur et moyen de Provence et de Corse (France) et de Sardaigne septentrionale (Italie)

The detailed study of the Miocene strata of Bonifacio has revealed an atypical Miogypsinid assemblage. In addition to the three already cited genera, Miogypsinoides, Miogypsina and Miolepidocyclina from this region, Miogypsinodella is for the first time represented by two new species (Mdella corsicana nov. sp. et Mdella pillaria nov.sp.). The stratigraphical ranges of each genus in the Miogypsinidae are not verified here. However, Mdes bantamensis is still present in the Upper Burdigalian and the genus Miogypsinoides is also present in the Lower Langhian. Six species of Miogypsina coexist in the Upper Burdigalian (M. tani, M. globulina, M. intermedia, M. cf. sabahensis, M. cushmani, M. mediterranea) and two species are present in the Lower Langhian (M. antillea, M. digitata). This distribution is apparently an example of palaeoendemism resulting from the geographic isolation and the rotation of the Corso-Sardinian block and also from the palaeogeographical and palaeoecological favourable environment during that time.     

Utilisation du bois de feu par les chasseurs-cueilleurs de la « Cidade de Pedra » à partir de l’Holocène moyen (Brésil Central,Mato Grosso,Rondonópolis)

Located in the south-western Mato Grosso state (Central Brazil), the vast territory of the Cidade de Pedra was continuously occupied since the mid-Holocene by several groups of hunter-gatherers. Rock paintings, lithic industries, ceramics, ornaments, combustion remains (etc.) testify their passages in the many rock art sites discovered since 1983. In this paper are presented the results of the first anthracological analyzes conducted in four of these rock shelters. The studies were realized from macro-remains carbonized from hearths, embers and concentrations. From the taxonomic identification of charcoal, the objectives are to highlight the practices of hunter-gatherers related to the collection of wood and the environment in which they evolved for nearly 5000 years. The results indicate that they practiced an opportunistic collection mainly focused on dry wood available in the vegetation around the sites. They evolved in an environment similar to that currently characterizes the region, a typical flora of the Cerrado Biome and seasonal climate.     

Le bassin permien de Guardia Pisano (Sud-Ouest de la Sardaigne, Italie) : palynostratigraphie, paléophytogéographie, corrélations et âge radiométrique des produits volcaniques associés

The Permian section outcropping at Guardia Pisano (Sulcis area, SW Sardinia), comprises two successions, separated by an unconformity. The lower succession is composed of grey-black sandy shales, rich in plant remains and in sporomorphs, deposited in a fluvial-lacustrine to palustrine environment; followed by layers of rhyolithic lavas and volcanoclastites with silicified plant trunks. Most of the analysed samples yielded a profusion of pollen and spores in a very good state of preservation. Three associations were distinguished. The first one comprises mostly radial and bilateral monosaccate pollen grains and very few spores. This association is characterized by the presence of pollen grains of the genera Crucisaccites, Luberisaccites, Gondwanopollis and Lueckisporites, together with very abundant Potonieisporites and subordinate Florinites. The second association comprises mostly pollen grains of the genus Potonieisporites, represented by many species, together with Limitisporites, Costapollenites, Vittatina and others. Spores mainly represented by azonate trilete and monolete types are more frequent than in the previous association. These first two palynological associations reflect assemblages of meso-xerophilous plants growing in dryer environments, belonging to tropical and subtropical phytogeographic biomas. The third association, mainly composed of Sphenophyte spores, is autochthonous and corresponds to a swampy hygrophilous flora settled after the filling up of the basin. The age inferred by means of sporomorphs is early Asselian which is in good agreement with the mean radiometric age of the volcanic rocks obtained by the ‘SHRIMP’ and the lead-zircon evaporation methods (297 ± 5 Ma). The upper succession, is composed of grey to red sandstones and thin pelites deposited on an alluvial plain under very hot and humid climate; its Permian, post-Asselian age cannot be better constrained because of the scarcity of the fossil content.     

Stratigraphie et sédimentologie des « Couches rouges » continentales du Jurassique-Crétacé du Haut Atlas central (Maroc) : implications paléogéographiques et géodynamiques

In several synclines of the central High Atlas, the “Redbeds” following the closure of the marine Tethyan Atlasic trough during the Middle Jurassic are constituted by three successive formations or units of continental deposits dated recently with biostratigraphical elements. Some micropaleontological markers, mainly charophytes and ostracods, allow to precise the stratigraphy in agreement with a Bathonian-?Callovian assignment for the lower unit (Guettioua Formation), and in dating the middle and upper units. The Upper Jurassic, mainly the Kimmeridgian, is developed in the lower part of the middle unit (Iouaridene Formation). The Barremian has been recognized in this middle unit and in the upper unit (Jbel Sidal Formation). The Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary is thus delimited for the first time with micropaleontological data. These new data are very significant for the Atlasic history during the Mesozoic. The basaltic flows inserted in the continental Jurassic-Cretaceous deposits of the central High Atlas result from two separate events in the Middle Jurassic and in the Barremian. The tectogenesis in the basins is characterized by a polyphase process including notably a synsedimentary tectonic activity conspicuous in the Barremian. The evidence of marine to brackish intercalations allows moreover to date the first Cretaceous transgressive event on the NW boundary of the High Atlas during the Lower Barremian and to consider an Atlantic paleogeographical interaction. SW margin of the Tethyan trough in the Lower and Middle Jurassic, the central High Atlas is merged with the margin of the central Atlantic Ocean during the Lower Cretaceous.     

Autres applications de la MIBG : « applications de la scintigraphie de l’innervation myocardique à la 123-I-MIBG en neurologie »

Myocardial 123-I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging enables the assessment of postganglionic sympathetic cardiac innervation. Recently myocardial 123-I-MIBG scintigraphy has been found to be useful to distinguishing Parkinsońs disease (PD) from other akinetic rigid syndromes. The absence of published guidelines for cardiac 123-I-MIBG imaging makes standardization of procedures among individual users of this technique even more important. Cardiac MIBG study showed markedly decreased uptake in PD, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and pure autonomic failure, which is a common feature of Lewy body disease. The cardiac MIBG uptake is severely impaired even in the early disease stage. Atypical parkinsonian syndromes, including Multiple System Atrophy, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, and other, show modest reduction of cardiac MIBG uptake. The MIBG study can be used for differentiating patients with extrapyramidal signs and dementia, and might provide useful diagnostic information to discriminate DLB and Alzheime?s disease.     

Une lame de faucille sous la stèle gravée Chalcolithique dite du « Chef de tribu », Vallée des Merveilles, région du Mont Bego, Tende, Alpes-Maritimes

The carved stele known as the “head of the tribe”, attributed to the Chalcolithic, erected at an altitude of 2290 m in the chaos of blocks in the Merveilles torrent in the Mont Bego region at Tende, was removed from its original standing place. Earth extracted from under the stele and sieved yielded a sickle blade in very fine and homogeneous Bedoulian pale biege translucid flint, pressure flaked on a heated core. The blade bears a light polish caused by cereal harvesting. This sickle blade is similar to those widely used in the southern Chassey culture (4300 to 3000 years before our era) but also sometimes in the Campaniform culture, during the ancient and middle Bronze age, like in Murée cave, in the Verdon gorges. The location of the sickle blade at the foot of the carved stele, known as the “head of the tribe”, is not just coincidental. It is highly probable that the blade was intentionally placed beside this rock. It is seemingly during a ritual ceremony that this sickle blade, probably still inserted in a wooden handle, was intentionally placed, in a propitious gesture or as an offering, beside the stele known as the “head of the tribe”.     

Considérations sur l’extension géographique du Néolithique final à « livre de beurre » en Touraine et Poitou (France)

The “livre de beurre” blades debitage is classically attached to Grand-Pressigny country (Indre-et-Loire). This question is reconsidered by the autors to ligth on their knowledge of the sites and raw materials in a broadest geographic expanse: the South of Touraine and Poitou. Cultural attribution of this practice is also reconsidered and replaced in largest context.     

Le « nucléus Donggutuo » et sa signification dans l’industrie du paléolithique inférieur de Donggutuo, bassin de Nihewan, Chine du Nord

As one of the most important Lower Pleistocene sites of the Nihewan basin in North China, Donggutuo (DGT) site is well known for its fine retouched small tools and characters of flake industry. However, new excavations still reveal some new discoveries and educe some new issues to us. For example, the “DGT core” introduced in this article is a new discovered typotechnology and indicates new economic strategy of the local people, which was never known before in this area at the time of 1.1 Ma B.P. The paper provides general background and statistic analysis of DGT industry including special method applied to the “DGT core” and discusses possible influence of environmental change for the emerging of the “DGT core”. The “DGT core” shows a germinated microlithic tradition and reflects a cultural diversity of early humans in the Lower Paleolithic in North China.     

Kabazi II (Crimée, Ukraine) : un site d'abattage et de boucherie du Paléolithique moyen

The site of Kabazi II is located on the second row of the Crimea Mounts in the west side of peninsula. The study presented in this article is about the archaeological material of the II/8 level. This level was excavated in 1987 and 1994. It is date of the Hengelo Interstadial. The lithic tools discovered in this level are attributed to the Western Crimea Mousterian (WCM). The E. hydruntinus dominates with more than 90% of the determinated remains. The crossed analysis of the results given by the studies of lithic and bone materials allowed to clarify the chronology, the environment and also the technical and subsistence behaviours of the Neandertals of the II/8 level of Kabazi II. These new interpretations are presented here.     

Les cétacés des gravures rupestres néolithiques de Bangu-dae (Corée du Sud) et les débuts de la chasse à la baleine dans le Pacifique nord-ouest

The Neolithic site of Bangu-dae (6000-1000 B.C.), south-east of the Korean peninsula, presents numerous rock carvings of cetaceans (n = 46, 19.9% of the figures), and especially large species. Among these two families of baleen whales (Balaenidae and Balaenopteridae) and the sperm whale can be identified. This site also presents whaling scenes suggesting that the Neolithic populations who lived along the coast of Korea were among the first to take advantage of coastal whales. All these carvings give exceptional evidence on the prehistoric beginning of whaling.     

Imagerie hybride dans l’embolie pulmonaire aiguë : apport de la TDM couplée à la tomoscintigraphie de ventilation et de perfusion

Purpose

V/P-SPECT lung scan can be combined with computerized tomography (CT) from hybrid camera. We investigated if CT data could be use only with perfusion scans for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (PE).

Patients and methods

In a retrospective study, 75 consecutives patients, referred for suspicion of PE, underwent SPECT ventilation and perfusion scans coupled with a CT on Symbia T2. The perfusion images (P-SPECT) were classified as normal or abnormal with systematized (segmental and sub-segmental) or not systematized perfusion abnormalities. The ventilation images (V-SPECT) were considered as normal or abnormal in light of perfusion defects. The same was done for CT images. Correlations between V-SPECT and CT were studied.

Results

Hence, 28 patients had a normal P-SPECT and did not have PE. Patients (47) had an abnormal P-SPECT (among them, 16 turned out to have PE and 31 did not). There were 192 perfusion abnormalities of which 81 were segmental and 81 sub-segmental. Corresponding to these abnormalities, V-SPECT and CT were concordant in 83 % of the cases. When not-concordant, V-SPECT abnormalities with normal CT were found in 14 % of the cases and CT abnormalities with normal V-SPECT were found in 3 % of the cases. According to the EANM guidelines for PE diagnosis, sensitivity was 88 % and specificity 93 % with V/P-SPECT and 100 % and 83 % respectively with CT/P-SPECT (p = NS).

Conclusion

V/P-SPECT remains slightly more specific for the diagnosis of PE. However, this study demonstrates that CT/P-SPECT obtained with hybrid camera could be used for PE diagnosis with performances similar to V/P-SPECT. If these results would be confirmed on larger populations, this could lead to a significant reduction of scanning time which would improve patient comfort and reduce the camera load.     

Habitat et mode de vie des chasseurs paléolithiques de la Caune de l'Arago (600 000-400 000 ans)

Several human occupations have been identified within the deposits of the Caune de l’Arago Cave site, dated from 700 000 years to 100 000 years old. The exceptional wealth of these archeological levels provides an opportunity for the study of different types of habitat and behavioral patterns of Paleolithic hunters between 600 000 and 400 000 years ago. Results from preliminary studies, carried out over the last 30 years on these archeological levels, allow for the proposition of a typology for cave habitats during the Middle Pleistocene in the south of France. In fact, four types of habitat were identified and defined. They have been described according to different characteristics such as, the thickness of the archeological accumulation, the animal species represented, the season during which the animals were hunted, the state of conservation of the fossils discovered, the morpho-technological and typological characteristics of the lithics, the categories of raw materials used and the territory exploited by the hominids inhabiting the cave, as defined by the raw materials represented. The four habitation types defined are: the long duration habitat, where the cave was used as a home base; the temporary seasonal habitat, in which case the cave served as a secondary campsite; the hunting stopover and the bivouac, during which the cave was used as a refuge for short term stays. Behavioral patterns appear to be directly related to the type of habitat and oriented towards a principal activity: hunting. The activities performed by the inhabitants of the cave seem to be more diversified during prolonged or seasonal occupations, whereas they appear to be reduced or very specialised during brief stays. Generally, The characteristics studied show that the Caune de l’Arago Cave site had multiple uses over time for Anteneandertalian family groups and hunters who left traces of their activities, allowing us to better understand their lifestyle.     

Découverte de charophytes de l’Albien dans la Formation Kebar (Tunisie centrale) : implications paléoécologiques et paléobiogéographiques

In Tunisia, in the platform domain, the Aptian-Albian transition is associated with a major stratigraphic gap not precisely dated, which is related to the subaerial exposure of the Aptian Orbata platform. Locally, in central Tunisia (Jebel Kebar), this gap is substituted by the sedimentary records of the Kebar Formation. This formation provided a rich association of fossil charophytes, formed by Atopochara trivolvis trivolvis, Clavator harrisii zavialensis and Sphaerochara verticillata which allows attributing it to the late Aptian–early Albian interval (most probably early Albian). In addition, a new variety, Sphaerochara verticillata var. kebariensis, is described. The charophyte assemblage shows significant biogeographic affinities with a coeval flora found in the Iberian Peninsula. The Kebar Formation was previously regarded as exclusively nonmarine, but the presence of the assemblage of charophytes and associated ostracods described rather indicates a fluctuation between margino-littoral (lagoonal) and continental environments.     

Cartographie des restes osseux et conservation différentielle dans l’amas coquillier d’Ouessant « Mez Notariou » (du Bronze moyen à la période romaine)

This article addresses the impacts of differential preservation in an alkaline shell midden overlying an acid soil which does not allow bone to survive. This midden accumulated over an extended period and displays unusual traits attributable to practices of a ritual nature (Le Bihan and Méniel, 2002). Excavation extended to approximately 1000 m². Bone was collected on a quarter metre grid by individual context. Some 35,000 animal and bird bones were recovered; fish bones, which were very numerous, are presently still under study. Consideration of the entire bone assemblage indicates that the principal deposition occurred along the SW/NE axis of the midden, with a lesser dump on the NW (zone XLI). The sector with the greatest concentration of bones covered some 50 m²; there, fragile remains, notably those of birds and fish, were at their most frequent. The distribution of ovicaprid bones is more uniform. Cattle and pigs are more frequent on the edges of the midden. Overall, there was a noticeable gradient in the quality of bone preservation between the core and the periphery of the deposit. The principal dump of bones displays two remarkable characteristics: a great quantity of shoulder blades and a preponderance of right-side remains over their left-side equivalents. The chronology of the accumulation of the midden shows four major phases: Bronze Age, Hallstatt Iron Age, La Tène Iron Age and Gallo-Roman. Plotting the bones by phase shows that the prime area of the deposit moves from NE to SW over time. It is thus possible to track the evolving rules of selection of species, individuals or animal parts from their distributions on the ground. This is particularly true for domestic pig, which increases in importance over time, and is encountered especially towards the south of the midden. Some bones show clear signs of alteration attributable to their exposure to the weather, making it plain that the midden was not covered with soil during its accumulation. The impact of such degradation on the bones can be very visible. The fact that some bones display signs of weather-related damage on more than one facet indicates that there was considerable secondary manipulation of this material. This study demonstrates the value of coupling a standardized but rapid method of data collection (by quarter metre squares) with detailed cartographic analysis of the material recovered. Both the taphonomic effects on a deposit built up over a very long time scale and continuity in certain practices (preferential selection of right shoulder blades) are clear from an initial consideration of the data.     

Foraminifères benthiques complexes du Bathonien supérieur au Kimméridgien inférieur de la marge atlantique marocaine (« Bassin » d’Agadir) : stratigraphie et paléobiogéographie

The carbonate sediments of the Agadir Basin (Morocco) deposited during the Upper Bathonian-Lower Kimmeridgian p.p. interval are rich in agglutinated complex benthic foraminifera. The detailed inventory of several field-sections allows to identify and to describe these benthonic foraminifera, some of them being recorded for the first time in Morocco. They belong to the main genera Archaeosepta, Andersenolina, Praekurnubia, Pseudocyclammina, Everticyclammina, Alveosepta, Kurnubia, Parurgonina, Neokilianina, Labyrinthina and Rectocyclammina. The stratigraphic and paleobiogeographic distribution of these foraminifera seem to be related to the geodynamic events occurring on the Moroccan Atlantic margin during this time-interval. The stratigraphic distribution of the principal species is generally controlled by the occurrence of ammonites, brachiopods and of some foraminifera which are considered as good stratigraphic markers.     

La séquence anthracologique de la grotte du Parco (Alòs de Balaguer,Espagne) : paysages et gestion du combustible chez les derniers chasseurs-cueilleurs

The objective of this paper is to present the anthracological data of the Parco cave sequence. This cave, excavated since the last 25 years, shows a stratigraphic sequence from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Bronze age. The anthracological data that we are presenting correspond to the sequence corresponding to the Magdalenian and Epipaleolithic layers. The anthracological data show a dominance of Scots pine at the bottom and of junipers at the top of the deposit, suggesting a landscape transformation though time. From these results we discuss aspects related to the vegetal formations during this period. Moreover, this study has the intention of integration the anthracological record with the archaeological data already published concerning subsistence, technology and paleoecology to a better understanding to human behaviour during this period.     

Algues et microfossiles problématiques du Dévonien Moyen du « Fondry des Chiens » (bord sud du Synclinorium de Dinant, Belgique) : implications paléobathymétriques

This study is concerned with the distribution of algae and microproblematica observed in a regressive sequence of carbonate rocks that accumulated open marine to lagoonal palaeoenvironments. The basal algal microflora is reduced to a few chlorophytes (Udoteacean, Dasycladales), but increases rapidly in number and diversity in the flanks of the bioconstructions, then explodes in the restricted facies (“Pseudo-udoteaceans”). An attempt to estimate the bathymetry is based on the palaeoecological constraints of the identified algae. We conclude that the maximum water depth did not exceed the twenty meters. The regressive sequences being made of around sixty meters (of reefal, perireefal and lagoonal carbonates), subsidence is believed to be the main mechanism controlling accommodation space.     

L’occlusion dentaire chez les primates supérieurs. Application d’un modèle réduit d’occlusion : la « matrice occlusale »

We analyzed by a reduced-scale model of occlusion named “occlusal matrix” (M.O.), the report of the dental arches between the various anatomical pillars which are the first permanent molars (M1) and the final canines (C). We define thus 3 measurements, the total area of the occlusal matrix: M.O. (AT), the area of the superior face, representing palatine face: M.O. (FS) and the area of the inferior face: M.O. (FI), representing mandibulary face. This morphometric study was carried out on skulls of current Great Apes (Pan, Gorilla and Pongo), medieval and subcurrent populations living in southeast France (Provence) and on skulls mouldings of fossil Hominids. In the evolution of Hominoïds towards the current man, a regular reduction of studied areas and thus of the jaws is confirmed by the recourse to these 3 new measurements designated by our study. In addition, the various stages of this reduction correspond in all points to those described for the general evolution of the higher primates. So, these 3 new measurements appear like particularly powerful describing with a simple tool the occlusal evolution of the Hominoïds and making it possible to better define their phyletic position within the framework of paleontological research.