France: Submerged Prehistory on Atlantic and Mediterranean Coasts (original) (raw)
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Chapter 12 France: Submerged Prehistory on Atlantic and Mediterranean Coasts
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2019
The French coastline accounts for many submerged remains of prehistoric sites along all its coastlines. Undisturbed sites including intertidal deposits containing artefacts give a total of 180 find spots. Each geographical region has its own specific features: submerged peats and fish weirs along the Channel and Atlantic coasts, faunal assemblages from the Channel and the North Sea, underwater sea caves and karsts along parts of the Mediterranean coast and occupations dated to later prehistory on the Mediterranean and in the southwestern coastal lagoons. Coastal archaeology successfully confirms the high potential and good preservation of submerged sites, particularly organic artefacts such as wooden objects, features related to fishing and faunal assemblages. New types of sites and research issues have emerged over the past decade, particularly Palaeolithic sites, Neolithic axe deposits in association with megalithic complexes and fishing structures reflecting a widespread activity along the coasts of the Channel and the Atlantic Ocean. The implementation of a scientific programme relating to submerged sites is all the more urgent since offshore industrial projects are rapidly increasing along the French coasts.
Research Infrastructure for Systematic Study of the Prehistoric Archaeology of the European Submerged Continental Shelf. The slow but accelerating accumulation of data defining the sea-level changes, palaeoclimate, subaerial terrestrial soils, river drainage patterns, coastal marshes and peats, combined with properly controlled mapping and excavation of submerged archaeological strata in several locations, has encouraged the view that it is now possible to attempt a systematic analysis of the prehistory of the whole continental shelf, which can be integrated with prehistory on land. Such an endeavour will take many years to produce substantial results, and the foundations and preparations must be sufficiently robust to support a consistent accumulation of new data over this timescale. The present chapter reviews briefly the infrastructural conditions needed, and focuses on the exploitation of existing data already archived and the derivation of practical information for planning and...
Coastal geo-archaeology in the Mediterranean: a French perspective
French geoarchaeology in the 21st century, G. Arnaud-Fassetta and N. Carcaud eds., CNRS editions, Alpha, Paris, ISBN : 978-2-271-07259-7., 2014
"For many decades, French archaeological research focused on the study of artefacts and monuments, with geomorphological contexts generating little interest. Despite the great plethora of mediterranean sites, relationships between man and his environment were long considered in quasi-isolation, either from a human perspective or an environmental stance, rather than as a coevolution where both were complementary."
The Archaeology of Europe’s Drowned Landscapes
The Archaeology of Europe’s Drowned Landscapes, 2020
This open access volume provides for the first time a comprehensive description and scientific evaluation of underwater archaeological finds referring to human occupation of the continental shelf around the coastlines of Europe and the Mediterranean when sea levels were lower than present. These are the largest body of underwater finds worldwide, amounting to over 2500 find spots, ranging from individual stone tools to underwater villages with unique conditions of preservation. The material reviewed here ranges in date from the Lower Palaeolithic period to the Bronze Age and covers 20 countries bordering all the major marine basins from the Atlantic coasts of Ireland and Norway to the Black Sea, and from the western Baltic to the eastern Mediterranean. The finds from each country are presented in their archaeological context, with information on the history of discovery, conditions of preservation and visibility, their relationship to regional changes in sea-level and coastal geomorphology, and the institutional arrangements for their investigation and protection. Editorial introductions summarise the findings from each of the major marine basins. There is also a final section with extensive discussion of the historical background and the legal and regulatory frameworks that inform the management of the underwater cultural heritage and collaboration between offshore industries, archaeologists and government agencies. The volume is based on the work of COST Action TD0902 SPLASHCOS, a multi-disciplinary and multi-national research network supported by the EU-funded COST organisation (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). The primary readership is research and professional archaeologists, marine and Quaternary scientists, cultural-heritage managers, commercial and governmental organisations, policy makers, and all those with an interest in the sea floor of the continental shelf and the human impact of changes in climate, sea-level and coastal geomorphology.
Riparia, 2020
This paper examines the material culture of the Rochelongue underwater site by providing key information to better understand traditional discussions about the site, such as its chronology, cultural attribution and nature. This paper, however, focuses on the concept of coastal mobility as an approach that provides access to a much broader assessment of the local population in terms of maritime cultural contact. Maritime interactions are vital in order to understand socioeconomic changes and processes in culture contact and colonial settings in western Languedoc, which occurred during the seventh and sixth centuries B.C. The direct network that shows the Rochelongue underwater site by studying the distribution of metallic objects from the assemblage allows the discussion about the necessity of further investigation in the analysis of local coastal mobility to better understand connectivity and cultural encounters during Late Bronze Age-Early Iron Age in Western Mediterranean.
Studies in submerged prehistoric archaeology have gained momentum in recent years with particular focus on the inundated landscapes of the European continental shelf. While this renewed interest lies primarily in modern coasts and seas, there are a variety of differences between the submerged prehistoric archaeologies of inland and marine environments, ranging from questions of scientific research to heritage management to practical field methods. Some of these differences are the result of location, function and period. Despite this, there exist similarities that, if ignored, risk increased marginalisation of the archaeology of submerged landscapes from the greater field of prehistoric archaeology. A holistic evaluation of prehistoric archaeological landscapes must include inland-waters and coastal zones and their relationships. Aquatic environments, viewed both as individual locations as well as continuous and connecting waterways, are introduced for their differences and similarities, and simplified examples of material and legislation are introduced in order to contextualize submarine sites and practices within the greater fields of prehistory and underwater archaeology.
An approach to Riverine Archaeology: The French example
How did riverine archaeology develop in France? Which were the great steps of its history? What are the characteristics of riverine archaeology compared to boat and ship archaeology? Which methods are suitable for riverine archaeology? There are some answers to these questions, which we propose to formulate in the light of almost 35 years of underwater archaeological researches in the Charente River, France.
Research in Stone Age sites at submerged shore zones. Strategies and experiences.
Man and Sea in the Mesolithic. Coastal settlement above and below present sea level. Proceedings of the International Symposium, Kalundborg, Denmark 1993, 1995
Systematic excavation of submerged Stone Age sites was in Denmark initiated in 1976 by Langelands Museum. Hence systematic surveys for and excavations of such sites have been carried out by this and other Danish institutions. A number of methods and strategies have been tested, and a number of experiences - some of which were rather costly and strenuous to obtain - have been gained. The following is a sketch of this development, and some of the conclusions reached.