Neanderthal and animal karstic occupations from southern Belgium and south-eastern France: Regional or common features?

Abstract

Karstic systems have preserved abundant archaeological records with well-represented faunal remains due to their sedimentological and topographical features. These particular localities were intensely exploited and occupied by Neanderthal groups. We focus here on Middle Palaeolithic settlements from the Last Glacial Period (MIS 5d-3), which is characterized by marked climatic variability with colder episodes alternating with more temperate periods. The Ardèche region in south-eastern France and the Meuse Basin in Belgium have recently been the focus of regional studies combining archaeological, geological and chronological data in order to bring to light human land-use and subsistence strategies. These two areas comprise multiple rock shelters and caves with Neanderthal occupations dating from MIS 5d to 3. As well as the obvious traces of occupation by Neanderthals, most sites provide evidence of carnivore occupations (e.g., cave bears, cave hyenas or wolves). Each of these habitation sites presents a specific topography and type of occupation and most of them reveal behavioural homogeneity within their sequences.By comparing data from faunal accumulations in these two related areas, separated by a distance of about one thousand kilometres, we attempt to gain a better understanding of the driving forces behind Neanderthal and animal occupations of karstic networks. Do regional land-use patterns exist in different European karstic localities or can we perceive common features related to the geography and topography of the sites?