Pascal TALLET, Mathieu RUÉ, Paul FERNANDES, Aurélie AJAS, Alexis TAYLOR, Sébastien BERNARD-GUELLE THE MIDDLE PALAEOLITHIC DURING THE EARLY WEICHSELIAN GLACIAL IN CENTRAL PARISIAN BASIN SAND CONTEXTS: evidence from development-led excavations at La Plaine de Montaigu (Melun, Seine-et-Marne) and Chemin de la Bretechelle (Les Clayes-sous-Bois, Yvelines)

Abstract

Developer-led excavation of sites at La Plaine de Montaigu in Melun (Seine-et-Marne) and Le Chemin de la Bretechelle in Clayes-sous-Bois (Yvelines) have produced new evidence for Middle Palaeolithic occupation in sand contexts. Both sites are dated to the end of the Early Weichselian Glacial, between isotopic stages 5a and 4. The lithic assemblages, centred on the production of flakes, reflect a predominantly Levallois knapping method; point production is absent and blade production only secondary. Both series corroborate recent observations of reduced diversity in knapping concepts at the end of stage 5 in the centre of the Parisian Basin.

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