Showing papers on "Mesolithic published in 1983"
TL;DR: In this article, a series of sites in the Aude valley of southern France have been investigated and it was shown that transhumant movement of domestic ovicaprines began in the late Mesolithic and the Early Neolithic, following seasonal movements among lowland, middle altitude and mountain environments for the exploitation of wild plant and animal resources.
Abstract: Excavation at a series of sites in the Aude valley of southern France shows that transhumant movement of domestic ovicaprines began in the late Mesolithic and the Early Neolithic, following seasonal movements among lowland, middle altitude and mountain environments for the exploitation of wild plant and animal resources. Beginning around 4500 bc, midway through the Early Neolithic, the faunal evidence shows the emergence of a mixed herding economy at the lowland sites, but sheep and goat appear increasingly alone at the mountain sites. At the same time, vegetational and sedimentary evidence show signs of deforestations, invasions of pioneer species, and erosion. It is argued that domestic herbivores may have played a key role in the degradation of soil and vegetation in sensitive submediterranean forest ecosystems. Transhumance may have been both a cause and a consequence of the ecological changes which it set in motion. The movement of domestic herds to upland pastures may have been a necessary ...
65 citations
1 Jan 1983
TL;DR: A sequence of deposits ranging in date from Late-glacial to the present produced detailed evidence of environmental changes, reflecting both climatic fluctuations and the effects of human activities as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: A sequence of deposits ranging in date from Late-glacial to the present produced detailed evidence of environmental changes, reflecting both climatic fluctuations and the effects of human activities. A Later Mesolithic occupation horizon, with lithic industry and associated faunal remains, is dated at about 5280 bc. It was sealed by a deposit of tufa. An irregular linear excavation, dated at about 2765 bc, is interpreted as a quarry; the backfill contained Earlier Neolithic pottery and other settlement debris. The first phase of later activities is marked by the deposition of a large quantity of Peterborough ware. Later on, part of the site was ploughed over and at the same time a series of small ditches, interpreted as elements of a system of land boundaries, was dug in the adjacent area. Late Beaker and Food Vessel sherds indicate the approximate date of these events.
33 citations
TL;DR: Pollen and charcoal analyses of peat cores from Machrie Moor in the west of Arran were presented in this article, revealing evidence for disturbance and burning of the vegetation during the Mesolithic period at a level radiocarbon dated to 8665±155bp (GU-1427).
Abstract: Summary Pollen and charcoal analyses of peat cores from Machrie Moor in the west of Arran are presented. These reveal evidence for disturbance and burning of the vegetation during the Mesolithic period at a level radiocarbon dated to 8665±155bp (GU–1427). The nature of the fires and their possible sources, either natural or anthropogenic, are discussed in the light of data from other Scottish sites of this period. The conclusion drawn is that the fires were most probably of human origin and that Arran supported a Mesolithic population for which the archaeological evidence remains to be discovered.
25 citations
1 Jan 1983
TL;DR: In this article, Calderoni et al. derived a chronology for the Mesolithic sequence of this area: Early Sauveterrian phase industries: 7950 -;7400 B.C. and that of the middle Castelnovian phase at about 5000 B.c.
Abstract: Radiocarbon datings of samples from Mesolithic deposits of prehistoric settlements near Trento, along the right side of the Adige Valley (Vatte di Zambana, Pradestel and Romagnano III shelters), are discussed. The following chronology, in terms of conventional "c ages, is derived for the important Mesolithic sequence of this area: Early Sauveterrian phase industries: 7950 -;7400 B.C.; Middle Sauveterrian phase industries: 7400 -;6550 B.C.; Recent Sauveterrian phase industries: 6550 -;6200 B.C.; Final Sauveterrian phase industries: 6200 -;5800 B.C. The beginning of the early Castelnovian phase ,Js fixed at about 5800 B.C. and that of the middle Castelnovian phase at about 5000 B.C.; the appearance of ceramics associated with a Castelnovian industry is placed at about 4500 B.C. This chronology agrees with radiometric datings of other deposits in centre-north~rn. Italy containing Sau"l;lterrian and Castelnovian industries and corresponds well to SauveterrianCastelnovian sequences of other regions (East Spain, South France). Finally, the possibility of dating Mesolithic sites in the height range 1800 -;2300 m on the Dolomites and on the Aurine and Sarentine Alps through typologic correlations with the Adige Valley series taken as a reference, is briefly discussed. This allows to suggest a model for the use of the territory by the Mesolithic groups settled in the Adige basin. The datings of the Mesolithic deposits of the Adige Valley and of the morphologies showing the high altitude Mesolithic deposits on the Alps allow to draw important conclusions concerning the phenomena which determined the present morphology of the Adige Valley and of the mountain areas. Marisa Alessio, Lucia Allegri, Francesco Bella, Salvatore Improta Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Universita di Roma llLa Sapienza». Gilberto Calderoni, Cesarina Cortesi, Maria Preite Marti· nez, Vincenzo Petrone, B. Turi Istituto di Geochimica dell'Universita di Roma llLa Sapienza» Centro di Studio per la Geocronologia e la Geochimica delle Formazioni Recenti del C N R. Alberto Broglio Istituto di Geologia, Paleontologia e Paleontologia Umana dell'Universita di Ferrara.
11 citations
1 Jan 1983
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined flint and obsidiean artefacts with "plant gloss" from Franchthi Cave and revealed considerable diversity in manufacture, use and re-use.
Abstract: Techno-morphological and functional examination of flint and obsidiean artefacts with «plant gloss» from Franchthi Cave have revealed considerable diversity in manufacture, use and re-use. Flakes and blades of local flint were used for a short time only and soon discarded. Blades of Melian obsidian were more intensively used, showing a distinctive pattern of intentional retouch and edge damage. Imported flint blades were even more intensively used, frequently through a number of cycles of use and re-sharpening ; they were then often used on dry hide, and often finally remorked into a range of other tool types. While there are some differences in chronological distribution, the wide diversity of artefacts with «plant gloss» within the same phase suggests a range of plant-related activities. Most surprising is that all these artefacts with «plant gloss» are restricted to a limited time zone within the Neolithic period (Early and Middle Neolithic : ca. 5700-4700 b.c.), while cereal remains are just as frequently encountered in earlier (Mesolithic and aceramic Neolithic) and later (Late and Final Neolithic) phases. This suggests, first, either that they were brought to the site as processed grain, or, more probably, that they were harvested without sickles ; and, second, that the presence at the site of a variety of artefacts with «plant gloss» may indicate phases of more sedentary occupation, during which a wide range of plant related activities such as basketry, matting, thatching and fodder-collection may have taken place.
7 citations
TL;DR: The structures of the ecosystems in Central Sweden c. 7000 B.P. and 5000 B.p. on both sides of the Neolithic transition, are summarized in this paper, where the difference between the two systems is a difference in scale, not in structure.
Abstract: The structures of the ecosystems in Central Sweden c. 7000 B.P. and 5000 B.P., i.e. on both sides of the Neolithic transition, are summarized. The difference between the systems is a difference in scale, not in structure. Both systems include culturally imposed clearance‐regeneration cycles. In the Early Neolithic ecosystem 100 times as much energy was converted to the use of man as in the Late Mesolithic system.
6 citations
1 Jan 1983
TL;DR: L'etude des dates obtenues par le C 14, sans en rejeter aucune, met en evidence the relation entre d'une part les changements dans le climat, la faune et la flore, and d'autre part l'introduction progressive des elements de l'economie neolithique as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: L'etude des dates obtenues par le C 14, sans en rejeter aucune, met en evidence la relation entre d'une part les changements dans le climat, la faune et la flore, et d'autre part l'introduction progressive des elements de l'economie neolithique.
3 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: A brief review of recent research and thought on the European Mesolithic can be found in this article, where a number of developments support an argument for a rapid intensification of human subsistence and settlement practices and organization prior to the utilization of domesticated plants and animals.
Abstract: This brief review is intended to acquaint the reader with recent research and thought on the European Mesolithic. The period is characterized by hunter-gatherer adaptations between the close of the Pleistocene and the introduction of food production. A number of developments support an argument for a rapid intensification of human subsistence and settlement practices and organization, prior to the utilization of domesticated plants and animals.