New Insights into European Sites With Large Flakes: Observatoire Cave (Monaco) vs the Open-Air Site of Chanos-Curson (Drôme, France)

Abstract

The publication of H. Breuil in 1932 defining the Clactonian culture was based, in particular, on two reference sites: Observatoire Cave (Monaco) and the open-air site of Curson (Chanos-Curson, Drome, France). This choice was due to the exceptional lithic series from these sites consisting of abundant large Clactonian flakes. After the resumption of research in Observatoire Cave, the study of the lithic assemblages at the base of the infilling renewed the characterization of the technical and cultural environment of the Monegasque assemblages. It thus seemed judicious to compare them once again with those from Curson, in order to refine and verify the technical links between the assemblages. The lithic industries from these two sites actually reveal different typological compositions due to the type and functions of occupations. These disparities were accentuated by heterogeneous acquisition methodologies and the early period of excavations. Nonetheless, the analysis and comparison of these assemblages highlight the singularity of the lithic series and, in particular, of the remarkable series of large Clactonian flakes. The economic, technical, technological and morpho-functional behaviours involved in making these products are very similar and incite us to place them in the same technical tradition. On the other hand, specific characters attest to independent adaptations and innovations. These Acheulean-Clactonian assemblages, which are not very common in southeast France and in northern Italy, seem to present similarities with Acheulean series from the Iberian Peninsula and southwest France.