La Lloseta : une grotte importante et presque méconnue dans l'ensemble de Ardines, Ribadesella

This summary on The Lloseta shows us a much richer reality that it had been presented through the precedent publications. To begin it is presented as an shelter environment decorated in all their extension whose decoration and parallel they find real sense if we put them in connection with the neigh boring Tito Bustillo. It possesses a prevalence of signs and old representations, a bad general conservation and an own and original internal organization. None of the caves of Ardines, including their main protagonist, she makes isolated significant sense, but rather they are and were supplemented in the past, for activities, occupation and use. We try to know the meaning of all and each one of the caves in connection with the other ones, because we think that their function should be collective and complementary.     

Espaces de réclusion et de rassemblement et expression graphique au Néolithique

Space is an inescapable data to analyse the schematic graphic expression in the Neolithic age and the practices, which are linked with it. A sign has meaning according to its place on the wall, in the shelter and in the area of decorated sites. We suppose that these painted shelters, and widely, the space where they are included, are visited during transition rites. Some of these sites have probably been used for persons in cloistered status. Others shelters are more areas for the gathering of an important group of men. We think that cloistering and gathering are adaptable with the diversity of environment. The Van Gennep's explanation of transition rites in three parts and the spatial analysis allow us to explain the transition and transformation of men on the decorated sites.     

Évolution des caractères technologiques et typologiques des industries lithiques dans la stratigraphie de la Caune de l'Arago

The thick Quaternary deposits of the Caune de l’Arago (Pyrénées-Orientales, France) are dated to between 690 000 and 90 000 years old. At least fifteen different archeostratigraphical units have been identified within these deposits, each corresponding to distinct prehistoric occupations. Numerous stone tools made from several different rock types, have been discovered in each unit. The tools present specific characteristics concerning the choice of raw materials, the typology, and the technology used to produce them. Morpho-technological study of the different components of the assemblage contributes to a better understanding of the debitage methods used for their production. Each raw material is considered individually in order to ascertain its origin in the environment, its typological role and the technology applied during its exploitation. Defining production systems leads to the characterisation of the assemblages from each unit. When compared, they reveal common elements, as well as differences, suggesting evolutionary trends. Some observations are also made concerning the extent to which changing uses of the site may have influenced the general morphology of each assemblage, therefore taking into account exterior factors. Analysis of this rich stone tool assemblage helps to situate the Caune de l’Arago industry within the larger evolutionary context of the Lower Paleolithic in Mediterranean Europe.     

Chronologie de l’art Mégalithique ibérique : C et contextes archéologiques

From the beginning of our investigation we found the necessity of locating the Megalithic Iberian art in the chronology that came off of the well-known data in the peninsula at the end of the 1980s and of those that manifested the Atlantic long sequences. Then, we argue the dates obtained in the deposits of decorated dolmens to endorse the chronological similarity between architectures and decorations. To it, we could add decorations in the nonvisible area of some slabs that they even aimed a bigger antiquity. With that material, we organize our first chronological proposal for the Megalithic Iberian art, in which we assumed dates of fifth millennium lime BC for the oldest decorations, in consonance with the construction of the first megaliths. Moreover, it would be right so much in the supposedly classic areas as in the less favoured sectors for the investigation: the Interior, the South and the West of the Iberian peninsula. In successive works we are configuring a hypothesis on its development and chronology that offers more and more confirmations. The documentation of AMS dates on megalithic paintings, a unique case in the megalithic European art, comes to consolidate the chronology of the megalithic Iberian art. With all the data obtained in the last twenty years, we are arrived to the moment for establishing a sequence to adjust their times, to value complex situations in the decoration of the monuments and to confirm a long chronology that arrives practically as a residual way to Iron Age.     

L'expression schématique en Aragon présentation et recherches récentes

The shelters of the Aragon containing paintings are gathered together in two areas: one around the río Martin valley to the north of Teruel and one in the Sierra de Guara at the east of Huesca. In every case they coexist with sites containing Levantine paintings but the proportions between the two types of expression are variable. We suppose that this association or even competition, of these two different iconographies is related to the differences of Neolithic economies establishment in each region. Punctual excavations underside the schematic figures give for them different dating throughout the Neolithic period. It seems probant that shelters with schematic paintings were chosen among a multitude of potential sites following four particular conditions: their dominant position, their southern orientation, the orange colour of the cliff walls and the humidity of the place. Lastly, the detailed study of the ornated sites at the confluence of the Vero and the Choca valley reveals the existence of the groups of richly shelters and, on the over hand, the existence of isolated ones with a most soker decoration. Or, a good knowledge of the field shows that the first ones cannot be accessible if we do not pass by the second ones. Consequently, we propose the existence of a precise approaching paths allowing precise the arrival to the groups of richly decorated sites. The studied area would thus represent a structured sanctuary served by an access way that was marked out deliberately.     

Perturbateurs endocriniens et écosystèmes

Hormonal imbalances, sexual changes and unusual behaviours are observed in wildlife. Some chemicals are implicated as endocrine disruptors (EDCs). Their dispersal into ecosphere allows them to reach biotopes isolated of emission sources and they accumulate in organisms and they cause alterations in biological functions (reprotoxicity, immunotoxicity, etc.). Beyond the individual, the community equilibrium is endangered with a potential impact on biodiversity. The organohalogen substances are historically concerned. Despite the prohibition of organochlorine pesticides and PCBs, they persist in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. But the “emerging substances” are also dangerous. Numerous examples of endocrine disruption in animal communities are described. The imposex in female of marine gastropods related to tributyltin (TBT) is one of the earliest known events. The feminization of fish in the estuary of the Seine, the hermaphroditism of some amphibians and the strange behaviour of birds, are famous facts. The cumulative effects are of concern to wild populations. These are mix of pollutants or the concomitancy of other global changes, the decline of polar bears or seals from the Baltic Sea proves it. In conclusion, endocrine disruption jeopardizes all natural biological systems and contributes in loss of biological diversity by reducing the number of sensitive species and making them vulnerable, considering the global extinction risk.     

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.     

Mégalithes et sociétés préhistoriques : concepts et terminologie

The restitution of the megalith’s technical manufacture, whith their assemblies lines and their sequences, enlarges the coast of the sens incluse in each Corsican monoliths. From the megalithics sites of Poghjaredda of Monte Rotondu (Sotta), Ciutulaghja (Appietu), and Presa (Altaghjè), some specifics activities area (pastoralism for example) or activities structured in the space (villages and tombs of middle Neolithic) interest this study. The contributions of many sciences permit to give an economic and social dimension to the choice of megalithics sites. Then, those choices are an aspect of the Neolithic process in Corsica, making part of sculpture and architecture. This study is conclued by a consideration on the actual worked stones’ terminology.     

L’Art mégalithique péninsulaire et l’Art mégalithique de la façade atlantique : un modèle de capillarité appliqué à l’Art post-paléolithique européen

We propose a wide concept in Megalithic Art that includes the decorations in the interior of the monuments, and also the similar graphics detected in the open air, either on rocks, on menhirs and in various spatial contexts (habitational areas, economic areas, funeral areas). The Megalithic Art so understood appears as very similar in all their regional versions. This model can’t be understood as a settling model of some groups above the other. We understand better an interpretation that advocates by the absorptive capacity and the cultural vivacity of all the implied regions. A capillarity model similar as the one, which is applied to the origin of the European producing peoples. The graphics that we analyse here, while deep expression of the symbolic thought, express strong continuity instead of remarkable breaks.     

Comparing the use of live trees and deadwood for larval foraging by aye-ayes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Daubentonia madagascariensis</Emphasis>) at Kianjavato and Torotorofotsy,Madagascar

Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) feeding behavior has become synonymous with deadwood foraging. However, deadwood is not always the most frequently used substrate, as some aye-ayes use live trees more often to access invertebrates. We sought to compare the frequency of aye-aye invertebrate foraging in deadwood and live trees to better understand their feeding behaviors. We followed two male aye-ayes at Kianjavato, a heavily disturbed habitat in southeastern Madagascar, from October 2013 to October 2014, and one male and one female aye-aye at Torotorofotsy, a continuous forest in eastern Madagascar, from July 2014 to December 2015. We collected feeding data by recording the behavior of a focal aye-aye every 5 min for a total of 373 h at Kianjavato and 383 h at Torotorofotsy. Our results showed no difference in the amount of deadwood used between the individuals. However, there was a significant difference in the amount of live tree feeding between the female at Torotorofotsy and one of the males at Kianjavato. We conclude that feeding on invertebrates in live trees is more important to aye-ayes than previously realized and that aye-ayes are exceedingly flexible in their invertebrate feeding behaviors, adjusting to their habitat by using various substrates.     

Goniatites et conodontes du Viséen/Serpukhovien dans les Pyrénées centrales et occidentales, France

Cephalopods and conodonts from the upper part of the Aspe-Brousset Limestones and lower part of the Iraty Limestones in Central and Western Pyrenees are described. Two levels differing in age are distinguished on their behalf. The oldest one belonging to the Late Visean or Early Serpukhovian yields specimens described as Goniatites baylei Leymerie, 1957, by Mirouse (1957, 1962). They are placed here in the species Dombarites falcatoides Ruzhentsev and Bogoslovkaya, 1971 for which the new subspecies D. falcatoides mirousei is established. The upper level corresponds to the Albergian (upper Serpukhovian) and is characterized by Proshumardites delepinei Schindewolf, 1939. Numerous conodonts belonging to the Lochriea and the Gnathodus groups occur together with this fauna. The joint study of goniatites and conodonts allows us to show the relationship existing between the distributions of both these two groups of organisms as well as to provide precisions on the stratigraphic and the palaeogeographical data in these areas.     

Decolorization of textile dyeing wastewater by<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phanerochaete chrysosporium</Emphasis>

The potential use of fungal pellets for decolorization of the textile dyeing wastewater was evaluated. The live pellets of the fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium were found to remove more than 95% of the color of this wastewater within 1 d. The dye-removal capacity was a function of time and was proportional to the agitation rate; the optimum temperature was 30 degrees C. Both live and dead pellets were further examined in a repeated-batch mode for 5 d. The decolorization performance of live pellets remained high and stable for 5 d and they showed twice to thrice higher decolorization capacity than dead pellets.     

La phalange distale du pouce d’Orrorin tugenensis (Miocène supérieur du Kenya)

The lion's share of articles dealing with the thumb anatomy of Plio-Pleistocene hominids has focussed on the capacity to manipulate and manufacture tools, and has largely neglected the locomotor aspects. However, in these hominids, the forelimb was still employed in locomotion. Certain of the anatomical characters classically associated with manipulation and/or fabrication of tools are already present in the Late Miocene species Orrorin tugenensis as shown by the terminal thumb phalanx BAR 1901'01. This specimen reveals crucial information suggesting that thumb morphology is not exclusively related to such tool using and manufacturing activities but reflects in a frequently bipedal creature a deeper adaptation concerning the precision grip essential for climbing and balancing, different from that of apes.     

Étude taphonomique, paléoécologique et archéozoologique des faunes de grands mammifères de la seconde moitié du Pléistocène inférieur de la grotte du Vallonnet (Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Alpes-Maritimes, France)

Vallonnet cave (Alpes-Maritimes, France) provided archaic lithic tools together with a big amount of large mammals of the end of lower pleistocene. At the crossing of diverse ecological niches in time and space, three main levels and within them several smaller units were distinguished. The poorly mineralized bones witnessed a huge diagenetic fragmentation. The presence of the animals in the cave seems to be linked to the reasons of their death. The exhaustive and systematic observation of the bones, like the bears probably used to die inside the cave. Some other carnivores especially hyenas, used the cave as a nursery. Man also occupied the cave and had an activity mainly on large cervid bones and on some other species as well. The very progressive deposit gave a way for carnivores and porcupine to gnaw the bones on the ground before their burial. The succession of actions (man, carnivores and porcupine) on the same bones is characteristic on Vallonnet large mammals bones.     

Perturbateurs endocriniens et maladies métaboliques

During the last decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the prevalence of metabolic diseases, diabetes and obesity, which may be primarily related to changes in diet, lifestyle and behaviour. However, because of the parallel increase in pollution, in the use of chemicals for a variety of purposes, in drug consumption and because of additional evidence showing the involvement of the endocrine system in the regulation of metabolism and body weight, scientists have suspected the implication of endocrine disruptors in the developments of these conditions and diseases. Experimental studies have shown a possible role of diethyl stilbestrol, bisphenol A and dioxins/PCBs in endocrine disruption and obesity and highlighted the importance of exposure during vulnerable states such as the perinatal period. Some epidemiological studies also supported the possible role of these pollutants in metabolic diseases and obesity. Obesity is known to alter the kinetics of persistant organic chemicals such as dioxins and PCBs. These pollutants are stored in the adipose tissue, which may protect other more sensitive organs. However, during drastic weight loss, these pollutants are released in blood and tend to delay the improvement in metabolic parameters that are usually observed following weight loss. In conclusion, certain pollutants appear to play a role in the development of metabolic diseases and obesity, although their relative contribution as compared to other risk factor is unknown. In addition, obesity and weight loss alter the kinetics of certains pollutants and their toxicity.     

Révision taphonomique et techno-typologique des deux ensembles attribués au Châtelperronien de la Roche-à-Pierrot à Saint-Césaire

The Chatelperronian from la Roche-à-Pierrot in Saint-Césaire is characterized by its strong “Mousterian component”. It was discovered in a layer named Ejop, which had originally been sub-divided in two parts (Ejop SUP and Ejop INF). Up to now, the industry coming from these two sub-layers had been analyzed together without discriminating lithics discovered within the upper part from the ones discovered within the lower part. Here we present the results of our taphonomical and techno-typological analysis of the lithic industry attributed to each of the two sub-layers, including the artifacts discovered in 1993, in order to test if the strong “Mousterian component” of Ejop is shared by Ejop SUP as well as by Ejop INF. We show that the raw materials used at the site originate mostly from the local environment in both sub-layers, and that they are from a relatively low quality. Despite the small number of artifacts coming from Ejop INF, they are characteristics from a technological and typological point of view of the Mousterian, and not of the Chatelperronian. In contrast, the analyses of Ejop SUP cores show that method (volumetric blade production) and technic (marginal percussion) used are characteristic of the Chatelperronian. In Ejop SUP, scrapers still count for about half of the retouched stone-tools. Morphology and debitage technique for retouched stone-tools vary depending on the stone-tool type (end-scrapers and Chatelperron backed pieces are usually made out of blades removed with marginal percussion). Yet, it is not possible to separate within Ejop SUP two components, one Mousterian and the other one specific of the Chatelperronian, according to edge and surface damages of retouched stone-tools. We show that that Saint-Césaire Ejop layer contains two different sub-layer, a Mousterian one Ejop INF, and a Chatelperronian one, Ejop SUP. In the current state of knowledge on the site, it is not possible to decide whether the high proportion of scrapers in Ejop SUP is a testimony of retention of ancient method of production (if not ancient way of using stone-tools as hypothesized by Guilbaud et al.) or of post-depositional integration of Mousterian objects within a Chatelperronian context.     

La céramique néolithique chinoise : utilitaire et esthétique, introduction

Our knowledge of Chinese Prehistory, the Neolithic period in particular, has continued to grow over the last three decades, especially with the importance of the archeological heritage unearthed in the past ten years. Intensive research carried out on the very varied ways of life that took place during the period from 12,000 BP to 4,000 BP -a period whose limits are constantly being pushed back - can be situated within this problematic. These pluridisciplinary studies have led to a more precise knowledge of the environment of prehistoric man and of his social activities. The ceramic objects found in Neolithic tombs have proved to be of a great diversity. Their typology gives precious information on their daily life and throws light, for us in the modern world on the mentalities prevailing during this period.     

L’industrie lithique du site Pléistocène inférieur de Pirro Nord (Apricena, Italie du sud) : une occupation humaine entre 1,3 et 1,7 Ma

The site of Pirro Nord (also known as Cava Pirro or Cava Dell’Erba) is known in literature since the 1970's of the last century as a palaeontological site, of which the mammalian fossil association constitutes a reference (local) fauna for the European latest Villafranchian. This fossil association is also known for the occurrence of some African elements. During the 2005, a lithic industry has been found in three karst fissures, together with the typical elements of the Pirro Nord vertebrate assemblage. The biochronological assessment based on the vertebrate assemblage attributes it to a time interval bracketed between 1.3 Ma and 1.7 Ma. Thus the site of Pirro Nord represents the oldest human occupation of Europe so far known. The lithic assemblage, attributable to the Mode 1, is constituted by three cores and seven flakes, and is made only on flint. Lithic artefacts have been found in stratigraphic context during the preliminary surveys of the three fissures, that they will be the object of systematic excavations in the years to come.     

Biostratigraphie,paléoécologie et zones d’acmé des foraminifères planctoniques au passage Crétacé-Paléogène dans la Téthys (Tunisie et Espagne) et l’Atlantique (France)

Biostratigraphical high-resolution analyses and quantitative data confirm that deposition is continuous across the K-Pg transition in several sections in Tunisia (El Kef, stratotype section) and Spain (Agost and Caravaca sections) located in the Tethyan realm and the Bidart sections in the Atlantic realm, without any relevant hiatus. The Upper Maastrichtian assemblages of planktic foraminifera from these sections are largely dominated by small biserial heterohelicids. They are associated to common species having planispiral test (i.e. globigerinelloids), trochospiral test (i.e. hedbergellids, rugoglobigerinids globotruncanids), to rare triserial heterohelicids (i.e. guembelitriids) and trochospiral species showing tubulospines (i.e. schackoinids). Stratigraphical ranges of these diverse taxa through the late Maastrichtian in the Tethyan and Atlantic realms show very few changes in the planktonic foraminiferal assemblages and most of the species are present in the Abathomphalus mayaroensis biozone. By our high-resolution sampling and the intensive research for the A. mayaroensis index species in the uppermost Maastrichtian samples, we confirm that this species is omnipresent up to the top of the Maastrichtian. Therefore, A. mayaroensis is present in almost all samples which are late Maastrichtian in age, but this species became very scarce in the uppermost Maastrichtian samples. This scarceness could be due to a climate cooling. A sharp decrease in relative abundance of the deep dwellers species, like as Abathomphalus intermedius and A. mayaroensis as well as in other keeled globotruncanids is observed at the studied sections from the Tethyan realm (indicative of low latitude) across the latest Maastrichtian. At the K/Pg boundary, all the globotruncanids disappeared. They are considered specialists living in tropical-subtropical deep seawater habitat. At this boundary, large and ornate heterohelicids also disappeared. Therefore, all the studied sections show that about 90 % of the Maastrichtian species became extinct according to a catastrophic mass extinction pattern. Only about 10 % crossed the K/Pg boundary and survived during the earliest Danian. The minor difference in the number of disappeared taxa is related to their latitude location or environment paleodepth. The changes in the species relative abundance, observed in the successive planktic foraminiferal assemblages, make it possible to recognize the Acme-stage 0 typical of the upper Maastrichtian interval. It is characterized by the highest species richness of Globotruncanids and heterohelicids specialists of tropical to subtropical marine conditions, the Acme-stage 1 typical of the Guembelitria cretacea Zone, and in particular of the Hedbergella holmdelensis Subzone dominated by “opportunists” species belonging to Guembelitria, the Acme-stage 2 which corresponds to the Pv. eugubina Zone dominated mainly by specimens belonging to Palaeoglobigerina and Parvularugoglobigerina and the Acme-stage 3 which characterizes mainly the Ps. pseudobulloides Zone dominated by biserial species belonging to Chiloguembelina and Woodringina.     

Témoins du froid. La faune dans l’art rupestre paléolithique de l’intérieur péninsulaire

It is our intention to analyse the environmental significance of the Palaeolithic artistic representations existing in the inner areas of the Iberian Peninsula. The fauna is used to create chronological and climatical criteria to affirm the condition of the castillan plateau during the last glaciation. In our opinion, it is dangerous to use the isolated animals in order to talk about coldness or heat situation because they reflect the cultural selection of their authors more than the ambiental reality. Neither the animals called thermometer nor the euritherm ones are solely represented in the tempered moments. Moreover, we have almost a no animal representation than artistic during the last finiglacial period in the peninsular interior. It means probably that the artistic representations are mainly cultural signs, which change for cultural reasons and not properly climatic ones within a general reality of glacial environment.