La redécouverte du site de Moulin Quignon (Somme) et les premiers Acheuléens du Nord-Ouest de l’Europe (650 ka)

Abstract

New surveys were undertaken in Abbeville in 2016 and 2017 on the site of the Moulin Quignon discovered before 1850 by Boucher de Perthes, relocated thanks to the archival work carried out by MNHN researchers. This research led 150 years later to the rediscovery of this emblematic Paleolithic site. Test pits and extensive excavation have led to the discovery of alluvial levels in situ and a lithic series composed of 254 fragments, 15 cores and 5 bifaces. The cores and flakes attest to in situ debitage on flint nodules according mainly to unipolar and centripetal unifacial technology, except for one core, which indicates a management on several debitage surfaces. The bifaces are diversified morphologically and technically (shaping modes). They attest to a general management of the bifacial volume and geometry of the tool, to the care taken at the tip of the tool and to the regularisation of the often peripheral edges. They resemble those discovered by Boucher de Perthes in 1837–1868 and described in the past as “Abbevillian”. Stratigraphic and ESR age studies on quartz date human occupation between 670 and 650 ka. These artifacts belong to the earliest Acheulean occupation ever dated in the Somme basin and more generally north of the 50th parallel north. The lithic series discovered at Moulin Quignon is indisputable proof of the presence of human occupations dated at more than 650 ka in the Somme valley, a natural pathway to northern sectors, present-day Great Britain. This discovery thus ages (1) the age of the oldest occupation in the North of France (previously 550 ka) and (2) the age of the oldest bifaces for Northwest Europe (100 ka older than the bifaces in Great Britain).