Économie des combustibles (bois et lignite) dans l'abri moustérien des Canalettes [L'expérimentation à la simulation des besoins énergétiques

Abstract

The charcoal analysis at the mousterian rock shelter of Les Canalettes reveled the existence of two kinds of fuel : wood and coal. The use of coal raises the problem of intentionallity : is it a constrained use due to wood scarcity during the last glacial or a reasoned management of fuel ? An experimental study of coal combustion combinated with charcoal analysis allowed us to simulate wood consumption at Les Canalettes. It has been thus shown that wood biomass was abondant enough and wood scarcity was never responsible for coal use. We can consider two main explanations : use of coal for specific activities in relation with its properties, or an opportunist collection due to its simple use.