The Chassean lithic industry from Bernières-sur-Seine “Les Fondriaux” (Eure)

Abstract

In Upper Normandy in the Eure, alongside a palaeo-channel of the Seine, the excavation of a northern Chassean settlement brought to light a significant well-conserved lithic industry. This publication presents the comprehensive study of this industry. The main worked raw material is local flint, which was practically exclusively used for flake debitage to produce blanks for several tool types using different operational methods. Some stages of the chaîne opératoire appear to have been preferred to supply blanks adapted to certain types of tools. Original and elaborate technical retouch processes were also used to optimize tool use. End scrapers were the main, but not the only tools, used for working hide. Other tools are represented in smaller proportions (tranchets, denticulates, backed objects, cutting arrow armatures, perforating or hammering tools, etc.), including an exceptional deposit of two matching, burnt axe blades. The detailed study of some of these tools aims to bring to light their technical, typological and functional characteristics in order to enhance our knowledge of the use of Chassean tools. These new data make Bernières-sur-Seine a reference site for the northern Chassean in the Paris basin.