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The latest finds of Antewürmian human remains in Charente (France)
Andr Dcbdnath
The Latest F/nds o f Antewiirnfian H u m a n R e m a / n s in Cdmrente (France)*
lnstitut du Quat~rnaire, Laboratoirs associ~au GNRS, n. 133, Many Wtirmlan and Prewflrmian human remains have been discovered Univsrsitd de Bordsa~ I, in the prehistoricsitesof the Charente Basin. W e have examined here 33405 Talence, France the prewiirmian remains and their stratigraphJc position. These remair~ were all found in the Tardoire valley, near Angoul~me, in the Bourgeols-Dclaunay and 8uard Caves, at La C~haise de Vouthon. They Received 9 January 1976 belong to several individuals who lived during the R~s III and the and accepted 22 April 1976 interglacial Riss-Wiirm.
I. I n t r o d u c t i o n
The basin of the Charente is known for its many prehistoric sites, some of which have yielded numerous remains, either of Homo sa~iem neandertalensis, or of Homo sapims sapien:. To give only a few examples, the former subspecies has been recovered £rom La ~uina, Puymoyen, Marillac, La Cave and Montgaudier, and the latter from Montgaudier and Le Placard. More ancient remains have been brought to light in the valley of the Tardoire, namely at Fontdchevade (G. Henri Martin, 1957) and at La Chaise. The question of the stratigraphicposition of these remains has been raised elsewhere (Debdnath, 1975), and this rdsumd will be restrictedto those remains ,A,hich have been recovered at La Chaise over the lastfew years. The sitesof La Chaise comprise severalsheltersbacked by galleries,which are sometimes quite extensive,opening in a massif of Bajocian dolomitic limestone. W e shall examine more closely two of these shelters: l'abriBourgcois-Dclaunay and l'abri Suard. The various excavations carried out at La Chaise, ever since 1850, can be grouped into three periods: (a) the first investigations (1850-1930); (b) the excavatiom of P. David (1930-1963); (c) the recent excavations (since 1967). We know very little concerning the earliest digs. The excavations of P. David led to the discovery of a certain number of human remains (l'abri Suard), which have been studied by J. Piveteau (1970). The stratigraphic position of these remains has recently been clarified (Debdnath, 1974, 1975). During the excavations which we have conducted since 1967, a number of remains have been found in the two above-named shelters. We shall first examine rabri Bourgeois-Delaunay, then rabri 8uard. * Translated by S. C,ollcutt. Journa/of Human E~lut/on (1977) 6~ 297-302
298
A. DEa~NATH Figure I. Map of the basin of the Charente. O"
N
Lo Ro~
,ognac rbron 4
I km
2. Abri Bourgeois-Delaunay
Stratigraphy We can distinguish (Plate 1), from top to bottom: I disturbed layer; 2 Aurignacian; 3 red sterile layer; 4--level with large bones, no industry; 5 red sterile layer; 6 level containing an industry which P. David mistakenly described as being o a Mousterian fades; 7- first stalagmitic horizon. (This stratigraphy of the upper layers of the shelter corresponds to that recognised by P. David, 1956). In our excavations we have concentrated on the lower part of the sequence, starting from layer 8. Thus, we can distinguish the following. Layer 8. The total thickness of this layer (0.45 m) has been divided into four sublayers. These sublayers are generally composed of clayey sand, and contain a small number of highly weathered, stoney dements. Layer 8'. Archaeological layer rich in manganese oxide, once mistakenly described as a Mousterian hearth; max. thickness 0.15 m.
Plate 1. Abri 13ourgeois-Delaunay: general view.
298
Platc 2. Abri 13olu'geois-Dclaunay: antcw(irmian human mandible, in silu.
Plate 3. Left hemimandible of a young adult. Abri Suard.
299
A N T E ~ R M I A N REMAINS
Figure 2. The valleys of Tardoire and Bandiat and the principal sites.
1
.
t
i
i__
~ I L ' ~
--
-
'
N ROCHEFOUCAULD eMarillac
Fontb¢hevade Lo C h a i s e ~ ' 1 ~ ~ .._. • Montgaudier e-- ~ v L'e Queerer MON TSRON
~
1~;OULEM E • Puymoyen
a Chaire Calvin
I1)
Layer 9.
VILLEBOIS ~ ~ a ,
Qu/na
I
0
-
km
10
Layer of sandy clay, containing a few rounded, and highly worn, limestone elements; thickness 0.20-0.40 m, locally divided into two sublayers. Layer 9'. Thin layer of whitish, friable material, containing a few tools; max. thickness 0.15 m. Layer 10. Brown clayey layer, formerly called the yellow lViousterianlayer, characterised by an abundant fauna in which U'rsusspdaeus heavily outnumbers the other species; average thickness 0.30 m. Layer 11. Second stalagmitic horizon. Layer 12. Layer formed by the collapse of large roof-blocks, these being usually weathered and entrusted with manganese. Layer 13. Thick deposit (8 m + ) comprising beds of sand and clay with intercalations of manganese. This layer lies on limestone which may be either bed-rock or a collapsed roof-block. The industry of layer 6 can be considered as a Mousterian characterised by a moderately levaUois d6bitage, a medium percentage of faceted striking-platforms, and low indices of backed-blades and bifaces. The industries of layers 8' and 9', which are the richest, appear to be intermediate between an Acheulean and a Mousterian. The overwhelming percentage of sidescrapers and the importance of denticulates have led us to classify them as a Mousterian of primitive facies. Although we do not wish to go into the details of these industries here, we must at this point stress their originality. With respect to the chronology of these deposits, we suggest the following correlations: Wiirm I I I : layer 2 Wtirm I I / I I I Interstadial: layer 3 (?) Wiirm I I : layers 4 to 6 Wtirm I / I I Interstadial: layer 7 (first stalagmitic horizon)
300
Ao DEB~.NATH
W/irm I: layers 8 to 10 Riss-Wiirm Interglacial: layer II (second stalagmitic horizon) Kiss I I I : layer 12 Kiss II : layer 13 (?) Humaa remains The human remains discovered in this shelter were either included in the second stalagmitic horizon (layer 11), or were lying immediately upon the blocks forming layer 12, some of them having slipped a little between these blocks. Their assignment to the Riss-Wtirm Interglacial cannot thus be doubted. They comprise various cranial fragments, namely an almost complete calotte; an occipital, a temporal and a parietal, all separate; a portion of a left maxilla, containing the three molars; several loose teeth; and a mandible with the dentition intact. A femoral diaphysis, some rib fragments and a scapula were also recovered. These remains belong to the same human type and represent several individuals, some ofwhomare young. The calotte is characterised by the great thickness of the bones, which is sometimes superior to that observed in the case of the individual from La Chapelle-aux-Saints, whilst nevertheless remaining within the limits of variation of the "classic" Neandertals (Debdnath & Piveteau, 1969). We are not able to decide whether a supra-orbital torus existed as the anterior region of the frontal is badly preserved. The occipital and the temporal show characteristics which are sometimes close to the Neandertals, whilst others bear comparison with modern man. However, the internal surface of the temporal presents a different morphology from that found in modern man. The mandible (Plate 2) shows characters which are typically Neandertal, especially with respect to the body and the ascending ramus. On the other hand, the condyle is different from that of the "classic" Neandertals. The roots of the lower incisors are much longer than those of modem man, a fact which suggests the absence of a chin. The pulp cavities are normal and show no taurodontism. Thus, this human type, dating from the Riss-Wtirm Interglacial, would seem to belong to the neandertaloid group. 3. A b r i S u a r d
The stratigraphy of l'abri Suard is complex. It can be summarised as follows. Above the clayey sand layers, which perhaps represent the Riss II, and in places separated from them by a smlagnfitic horizon, is a thick cryoclastic unit representing the Kiss III. This cryoclastic unit is sealed at its summit by a stalagmitic horizon of variable thickness, which can be traced as far as l'abri Bourgeois-Delaunay, where it merges with layer II. Finally, these deposits are overlain by layers corresponding to layers 9 and 10 at r abri Bourgeois-Delaunay. Numerous human remains had been discovered in this shelter by P. David. Their study (J. Piveteau, 1970) has shown that we are in the presence of a human type "armonqant, ou peut-~tre mbane appartenant aux Paldanthropiens, tout en ayant conservd quelques caractdristiques archanthropiennes" (Translation: heralding, or
ANTE~IA/q
REMAIN8
301
perhaps even belonging to the neandeytaloids, whilst retaining certain archaic characters proper to the H. erectus group). The industry which accompanies the human remains at l'abri Suard can b e p l a c e d within the acheulean complex, but it differs from the "classic"Acheulean of S. W. France and the Paris Basin due to its peculiar originality. We have been able to distinguish three facies within this industry which seem to indicate an evolutionary series, a series which gives rise to the Mousterian of primitive facies from r abri Bourgeois-Delaunay. Our own excavations at l'abri Suard have led to the discovery &several human remains wtfich nearly all belong to children or young subjects. In that part of the site where the discoveries were made the stratigraphy of the rissian screes is relatively simple. Under the upper stalagmitic horizon three layers can be distingushed belonging to Riss I I I : (a) a a (b) a (c) a
first layer, strongly cemented, containing small limestone elements embedded in matrix of brown clay; second layer, composed of very hard breccia; third layer, highly cryoclastic, less breccified.
The first of these remains is a left hemimandible of a young adult (Plate 3). Only the second and third molars are in place; they are only slightly worn. The body of the mandible, which is very robust, is broken just behind the symphysis, and the genial tubercles have been destroyed. The mental foramen, situated between the second premolar and the first molar, is large. The ascending ramus is broken at right angles to its axis below the mandibular notch, so that neither the condyle nor the coronoid process is present. The lingular process, above the inferior dental canal, although very worn, is still visible. The mandibular angle and the posterior edge of the ascending ramus are missing. The second piece is a mandibular fragment of-a young child. The body is broken behind the second molar, on the right-hand side as well as on the left. The beginnings of a sub-mental trigone are clearly visible in the anterior symphysical region, which is almost vertical. The third piece is a calotte in a very good state of preservation; it also belongs to a young child. The different boney components are separate at the sutures, and they articulate well. The anterior portion of the frontal is missing, so that it is difficult to ascertain whether or not there were the beginnings of a supra-orbital torus. There is no metopic suture. It is not possible to form a good idea of the shape of the occipital, since it is still encrusted with calcareous material. The parietal bosses are clearly marked. Hardly any traces ofvascularisation are visible on the endocranial surface of the brain-case. In addition to these pieces, this site has yielded an isolated parietal and a frontoparietal fragment, as well as several teeth, all of which belong to young individuals and where in rissian cryoclastic levels. If its not yet possible to gain a very precise idea of the morphology of the hominid from La Chaise, we must stress the richness of this site, and its importance for a better understanding of Antewtirmian man in France and in Europe.
Note added in proof Since this paper was submitted for publication, new human remains have been discovered in l'abri Suard. These new finds consist of a lateral molar, part of a parietal and a fragmentary calotte of a young child.
302
A. DEB~NATH References
David, P. (1956). Lea gisexaents pr~hlstoriques de La Chahe de Vouthon. Uongr~sprdhistorique de Frame, XI~ Session, Poiticrs-Angoulbl~, 15, 148-154. Deb~nath, A. (1974). Recherches sur lee terrains quaternaires des Charentes et lee industries qui leur sont a~soci~.es. T h e e de Doctorat d'Etat H Sciences, Bordeaux. Deb6nath, A. (1975). Position stratigraphique des restes humains antewt~rmiens de Charente. 7$ulletin de la Socid~ d'Anthropologie de Paris 1, (s6rie 13), 417--426. Deb~.nath, A. & Piveteau, J. (I969). Nouvelles d~couvertes de testes humains fossiles/~ La Chaise de Vouthon (Charente). Position stratigraphique des restes humains de La Chaise (abri Bourgeois-Delaunay). Cornpte I~endus de l'Acadbnie des ~cience~;Paris 269, 24.-28, Henri-Martin, G. (1957). La grotte de Font6chevade. Mbnoires de l'Institut de Pal~;ontologieHumaine, n ° 28. Piveteau, J. (1970). Les grottes de la Chaise (Charente). Pal6ontologie humaine. 1--1'homme de l'abri Suard. Annales de PaI~ontologie (Vertdbrds) 56, 175-225.
The Latest F/nds o f Antewiirnfian H u m a n R e m a / n s in Cdmrente (France)*
lnstitut du Quat~rnaire, Laboratoirs associ~au GNRS, n. 133, Many Wtirmlan and Prewflrmian human remains have been discovered Univsrsitd de Bordsa~ I, in the prehistoricsitesof the Charente Basin. W e have examined here 33405 Talence, France the prewiirmian remains and their stratigraphJc position. These remair~ were all found in the Tardoire valley, near Angoul~me, in the Bourgeols-Dclaunay and 8uard Caves, at La C~haise de Vouthon. They Received 9 January 1976 belong to several individuals who lived during the R~s III and the and accepted 22 April 1976 interglacial Riss-Wiirm.
I. I n t r o d u c t i o n
The basin of the Charente is known for its many prehistoric sites, some of which have yielded numerous remains, either of Homo sa~iem neandertalensis, or of Homo sapims sapien:. To give only a few examples, the former subspecies has been recovered £rom La ~uina, Puymoyen, Marillac, La Cave and Montgaudier, and the latter from Montgaudier and Le Placard. More ancient remains have been brought to light in the valley of the Tardoire, namely at Fontdchevade (G. Henri Martin, 1957) and at La Chaise. The question of the stratigraphicposition of these remains has been raised elsewhere (Debdnath, 1975), and this rdsumd will be restrictedto those remains ,A,hich have been recovered at La Chaise over the lastfew years. The sitesof La Chaise comprise severalsheltersbacked by galleries,which are sometimes quite extensive,opening in a massif of Bajocian dolomitic limestone. W e shall examine more closely two of these shelters: l'abriBourgcois-Dclaunay and l'abri Suard. The various excavations carried out at La Chaise, ever since 1850, can be grouped into three periods: (a) the first investigations (1850-1930); (b) the excavatiom of P. David (1930-1963); (c) the recent excavations (since 1967). We know very little concerning the earliest digs. The excavations of P. David led to the discovery of a certain number of human remains (l'abri Suard), which have been studied by J. Piveteau (1970). The stratigraphic position of these remains has recently been clarified (Debdnath, 1974, 1975). During the excavations which we have conducted since 1967, a number of remains have been found in the two above-named shelters. We shall first examine rabri Bourgeois-Delaunay, then rabri 8uard. * Translated by S. C,ollcutt. Journa/of Human E~lut/on (1977) 6~ 297-302
298
A. DEa~NATH Figure I. Map of the basin of the Charente. O"
N
Lo Ro~
,ognac rbron 4
I km
2. Abri Bourgeois-Delaunay
Stratigraphy We can distinguish (Plate 1), from top to bottom: I disturbed layer; 2 Aurignacian; 3 red sterile layer; 4--level with large bones, no industry; 5 red sterile layer; 6 level containing an industry which P. David mistakenly described as being o a Mousterian fades; 7- first stalagmitic horizon. (This stratigraphy of the upper layers of the shelter corresponds to that recognised by P. David, 1956). In our excavations we have concentrated on the lower part of the sequence, starting from layer 8. Thus, we can distinguish the following. Layer 8. The total thickness of this layer (0.45 m) has been divided into four sublayers. These sublayers are generally composed of clayey sand, and contain a small number of highly weathered, stoney dements. Layer 8'. Archaeological layer rich in manganese oxide, once mistakenly described as a Mousterian hearth; max. thickness 0.15 m.
Plate 1. Abri 13ourgeois-Delaunay: general view.
298
Platc 2. Abri 13olu'geois-Dclaunay: antcw(irmian human mandible, in silu.
Plate 3. Left hemimandible of a young adult. Abri Suard.
299
A N T E ~ R M I A N REMAINS
Figure 2. The valleys of Tardoire and Bandiat and the principal sites.
1
.
t
i
i__
~ I L ' ~
--
-
'
N ROCHEFOUCAULD eMarillac
Fontb¢hevade Lo C h a i s e ~ ' 1 ~ ~ .._. • Montgaudier e-- ~ v L'e Queerer MON TSRON
~
1~;OULEM E • Puymoyen
a Chaire Calvin
I1)
Layer 9.
VILLEBOIS ~ ~ a ,
Qu/na
I
0
-
km
10
Layer of sandy clay, containing a few rounded, and highly worn, limestone elements; thickness 0.20-0.40 m, locally divided into two sublayers. Layer 9'. Thin layer of whitish, friable material, containing a few tools; max. thickness 0.15 m. Layer 10. Brown clayey layer, formerly called the yellow lViousterianlayer, characterised by an abundant fauna in which U'rsusspdaeus heavily outnumbers the other species; average thickness 0.30 m. Layer 11. Second stalagmitic horizon. Layer 12. Layer formed by the collapse of large roof-blocks, these being usually weathered and entrusted with manganese. Layer 13. Thick deposit (8 m + ) comprising beds of sand and clay with intercalations of manganese. This layer lies on limestone which may be either bed-rock or a collapsed roof-block. The industry of layer 6 can be considered as a Mousterian characterised by a moderately levaUois d6bitage, a medium percentage of faceted striking-platforms, and low indices of backed-blades and bifaces. The industries of layers 8' and 9', which are the richest, appear to be intermediate between an Acheulean and a Mousterian. The overwhelming percentage of sidescrapers and the importance of denticulates have led us to classify them as a Mousterian of primitive facies. Although we do not wish to go into the details of these industries here, we must at this point stress their originality. With respect to the chronology of these deposits, we suggest the following correlations: Wiirm I I I : layer 2 Wtirm I I / I I I Interstadial: layer 3 (?) Wiirm I I : layers 4 to 6 Wtirm I / I I Interstadial: layer 7 (first stalagmitic horizon)
300
Ao DEB~.NATH
W/irm I: layers 8 to 10 Riss-Wiirm Interglacial: layer II (second stalagmitic horizon) Kiss I I I : layer 12 Kiss II : layer 13 (?) Humaa remains The human remains discovered in this shelter were either included in the second stalagmitic horizon (layer 11), or were lying immediately upon the blocks forming layer 12, some of them having slipped a little between these blocks. Their assignment to the Riss-Wtirm Interglacial cannot thus be doubted. They comprise various cranial fragments, namely an almost complete calotte; an occipital, a temporal and a parietal, all separate; a portion of a left maxilla, containing the three molars; several loose teeth; and a mandible with the dentition intact. A femoral diaphysis, some rib fragments and a scapula were also recovered. These remains belong to the same human type and represent several individuals, some ofwhomare young. The calotte is characterised by the great thickness of the bones, which is sometimes superior to that observed in the case of the individual from La Chapelle-aux-Saints, whilst nevertheless remaining within the limits of variation of the "classic" Neandertals (Debdnath & Piveteau, 1969). We are not able to decide whether a supra-orbital torus existed as the anterior region of the frontal is badly preserved. The occipital and the temporal show characteristics which are sometimes close to the Neandertals, whilst others bear comparison with modern man. However, the internal surface of the temporal presents a different morphology from that found in modern man. The mandible (Plate 2) shows characters which are typically Neandertal, especially with respect to the body and the ascending ramus. On the other hand, the condyle is different from that of the "classic" Neandertals. The roots of the lower incisors are much longer than those of modem man, a fact which suggests the absence of a chin. The pulp cavities are normal and show no taurodontism. Thus, this human type, dating from the Riss-Wtirm Interglacial, would seem to belong to the neandertaloid group. 3. A b r i S u a r d
The stratigraphy of l'abri Suard is complex. It can be summarised as follows. Above the clayey sand layers, which perhaps represent the Riss II, and in places separated from them by a smlagnfitic horizon, is a thick cryoclastic unit representing the Kiss III. This cryoclastic unit is sealed at its summit by a stalagmitic horizon of variable thickness, which can be traced as far as l'abri Bourgeois-Delaunay, where it merges with layer II. Finally, these deposits are overlain by layers corresponding to layers 9 and 10 at r abri Bourgeois-Delaunay. Numerous human remains had been discovered in this shelter by P. David. Their study (J. Piveteau, 1970) has shown that we are in the presence of a human type "armonqant, ou peut-~tre mbane appartenant aux Paldanthropiens, tout en ayant conservd quelques caractdristiques archanthropiennes" (Translation: heralding, or
ANTE~IA/q
REMAIN8
301
perhaps even belonging to the neandeytaloids, whilst retaining certain archaic characters proper to the H. erectus group). The industry which accompanies the human remains at l'abri Suard can b e p l a c e d within the acheulean complex, but it differs from the "classic"Acheulean of S. W. France and the Paris Basin due to its peculiar originality. We have been able to distinguish three facies within this industry which seem to indicate an evolutionary series, a series which gives rise to the Mousterian of primitive facies from r abri Bourgeois-Delaunay. Our own excavations at l'abri Suard have led to the discovery &several human remains wtfich nearly all belong to children or young subjects. In that part of the site where the discoveries were made the stratigraphy of the rissian screes is relatively simple. Under the upper stalagmitic horizon three layers can be distingushed belonging to Riss I I I : (a) a a (b) a (c) a
first layer, strongly cemented, containing small limestone elements embedded in matrix of brown clay; second layer, composed of very hard breccia; third layer, highly cryoclastic, less breccified.
The first of these remains is a left hemimandible of a young adult (Plate 3). Only the second and third molars are in place; they are only slightly worn. The body of the mandible, which is very robust, is broken just behind the symphysis, and the genial tubercles have been destroyed. The mental foramen, situated between the second premolar and the first molar, is large. The ascending ramus is broken at right angles to its axis below the mandibular notch, so that neither the condyle nor the coronoid process is present. The lingular process, above the inferior dental canal, although very worn, is still visible. The mandibular angle and the posterior edge of the ascending ramus are missing. The second piece is a mandibular fragment of-a young child. The body is broken behind the second molar, on the right-hand side as well as on the left. The beginnings of a sub-mental trigone are clearly visible in the anterior symphysical region, which is almost vertical. The third piece is a calotte in a very good state of preservation; it also belongs to a young child. The different boney components are separate at the sutures, and they articulate well. The anterior portion of the frontal is missing, so that it is difficult to ascertain whether or not there were the beginnings of a supra-orbital torus. There is no metopic suture. It is not possible to form a good idea of the shape of the occipital, since it is still encrusted with calcareous material. The parietal bosses are clearly marked. Hardly any traces ofvascularisation are visible on the endocranial surface of the brain-case. In addition to these pieces, this site has yielded an isolated parietal and a frontoparietal fragment, as well as several teeth, all of which belong to young individuals and where in rissian cryoclastic levels. If its not yet possible to gain a very precise idea of the morphology of the hominid from La Chaise, we must stress the richness of this site, and its importance for a better understanding of Antewtirmian man in France and in Europe.
Note added in proof Since this paper was submitted for publication, new human remains have been discovered in l'abri Suard. These new finds consist of a lateral molar, part of a parietal and a fragmentary calotte of a young child.
302
A. DEB~NATH References
David, P. (1956). Lea gisexaents pr~hlstoriques de La Chahe de Vouthon. Uongr~sprdhistorique de Frame, XI~ Session, Poiticrs-Angoulbl~, 15, 148-154. Deb~nath, A. (1974). Recherches sur lee terrains quaternaires des Charentes et lee industries qui leur sont a~soci~.es. T h e e de Doctorat d'Etat H Sciences, Bordeaux. Deb6nath, A. (1975). Position stratigraphique des restes humains antewt~rmiens de Charente. 7$ulletin de la Socid~ d'Anthropologie de Paris 1, (s6rie 13), 417--426. Deb~.nath, A. & Piveteau, J. (I969). Nouvelles d~couvertes de testes humains fossiles/~ La Chaise de Vouthon (Charente). Position stratigraphique des restes humains de La Chaise (abri Bourgeois-Delaunay). Cornpte I~endus de l'Acadbnie des ~cience~;Paris 269, 24.-28, Henri-Martin, G. (1957). La grotte de Font6chevade. Mbnoires de l'Institut de Pal~;ontologieHumaine, n ° 28. Piveteau, J. (1970). Les grottes de la Chaise (Charente). Pal6ontologie humaine. 1--1'homme de l'abri Suard. Annales de PaI~ontologie (Vertdbrds) 56, 175-225.