The horse mandibles at Duruthy rockshelter (Sorde-l'Abbaye, Landes, France) and the identification of ontological systems in the Pyrenean Magdalenian

Abstract

The excavations of 1961, led by Robert Arambourou in layer 4 of Duruthy rockshelter at Sorde-l'Abbaye, Landes in France, revealed an exceptional assemblage in two adjacent squares. According to the lithic and the bone industry and the radiocarbon dating, this was attributable to a late phase of the Middle Magdalenian. This assemblage included three horse sculptures in sandstone, marl limestone, and ivory, and somebody ornaments and tools made of both mineral and organic materials. A concentration of 23 horse mandible fragments found near or in direct contact with the three horse sculptures comprised a selection of bones from old horses (MNIc = 11) that had been subject to particular treatment. All the bones had scraping marks aimed at the removal of the connective tissue down to the alveolar bone, possibly to reveal the teeth entirely. On three pieces, saw marks, made with flint, and deep incisions were observed. One piece had deep grooves in an almond shape, and a mandible fragment had an engraved design on it that was unique among the geometrical designs of the Pastou group of sites. By drawing upon concepts taken from Descola's anthropology of nature, we have been able to consider the informative potential of these pieces regarding the ontology of their authors.