Médard THIRY, Michel REY, Anthony MILNES, Alexandre CANTIN, Patrick DUBREUCQ, Laurent VALOIS UPRIGHT MEGACLASTS IN SOUTHERN ÎLE-DE-FRANCE SANDSTONE LAG DEPOSITS: elements for recognising an anthropogenic origin

Abstract

The problem of recognizing an anthropogenic origin of upright megaclasts in Paris Basin rocky lag deposits is a delicate task. We advocate a method grounded in the sedimentological mechanisms that could potentially produce upright rock megaclasts during the erosion of cliffs or sandy slopes. It is a prospective approach that aims to locate, within a rocky chaos, isolated megaclasts or arrangements of rock clasts that seem to be incompatible or out of place with the sedimentological mechanisms of erosion. The analytical procedure is detailed. Several examples of upright rock clasts are analysed and exemples from the archaeological literature have been reconsidered in this context.

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