Intrasite Spatial Structure in the European Upper Paleolithic: Evidence and Patterning from the SW of France

Abstract

Over the past 20 years a number of Western European Upper Paleolithic sites have been examined for internal spatial patterning by using a variety of quantitative techniques. The most commonly applied technique has been K -means clustering in one form or another. Because this technique has been applied consistently to a relatively large number of sites from a wide variety of temporal phases in the European Upper Paleolithic, it is useful to search for common patterns and consistencies in the organization of space during this time period. These analyses suggest that Upper Paleolithic sites commonly exhibit three basic modes of internal organization. Hearth focused sites are often large, complex sites with many features and distinctive global and local artifact patterning. Areal focused sites are often scatters of artifacts, and/or occur with severe natural constraints. Structure focused sites frequently show no clear indications of hearths, and are free of 'natural' constraints. They are frequently highly patterned around what may best be called "architectural structures", however.