Monthly Archives: May 2012

The Harifian Epipaleolithic

Two Harifian Points from the Negev with the depiction of this point-type from a publication written by A.E. Marks. The Harifian Epipaleolithic complex was first investigated by an expedition under the direction of A.E. Marks from 1969-1974. Mount Harif is … Continue reading

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The Gagarino Venus

The Venus of Gagarino shown here is an excellent cast from the Kirchhoff collection (University of Göttingen) http://www.universitaetssammlungen.de/sammlung/519 Gagarino is located on a loess terrace on the northern margin of a ravine on the right bank of the Don River. … Continue reading

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The Mousterian of Bons-Tassily

This is a heavily patinated Biface (12x5x2cm) from Bons-Tassily (Normandy) with a secondary  “coup de tranchet” on the distal edge. The Middle Paleolithic occupation of the Normandy by human groups is well represented by sites, dating to OIS 5d-a and … Continue reading

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Keilmesser

The Middle European Micoquian was conceptualized by L Zotz in the early 1950ies and this concept was later used by G. Bosinski. The term Micoquian is now mainly used for specific Middle Paleolithic assemblages in central Europe.  In contrast to … Continue reading

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The meaning and biographies of collected objects

Two MTA Bifaces from Versigny (http://www.aggsbach.de/2012/03/versigny/) Not only persons, but also objects have biographies, as they are integrated into interactions across time and space and were embedded and later removed from their original context. As objects gather biographies for themselves … Continue reading

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Reconsidering the middle to upper Paleolithic transition in S/W-France: The case of the Châtelperronian

 Châtelperronian Points from the Pas-Estret site (Beune) near Les Eyzies excavated during a couple of days by Dr. Ampoullanges in 1911. Unfortunately many important stratigraphies (Le Mouster, Combe Capelle, Laussel) were “excavated” in this manner. Consider a hypothetical scenario: In … Continue reading

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The Magdalenian at Gros-Monts I near Nemours

  These artifacts come from the Magdalenian open air site of Gros-Monts I, Beauregard, village Nemours (Seine-Oise region of Paris) and are from the R Espitalié collection.  Espitalié was a close friend and collaborator of the excavator of this site, … Continue reading

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Ornaments during the Paleolithic: The desire for differentiation

These are intact Dentalium tubes from the “Epiaurignacian” site Langmannersdorf in Lower Austria (http://www.aggsbach.de/2011/01/paleolithic-pendants-from-the-epiaurignacian-site-at-langmannersdorf-in-lower-austria/) Personal ornaments act beyond a simply aesthetical function; instead they tie together individu­als, societies, and ethnic groups. Fundamentally, it is also an important part of our … Continue reading

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