The Cave Bear (Ursus spelaeus) Scratches in Chauvet Cave (Ardèche, France)

Identifycation, 3D Mapping and Paleoethological Consideration from Wall Marking Activities

Résumé

The Chauvet Cave in south-eastern France is world famous for its exceptionally well-preserved rock art (paintings, engravings), dating exclusively from the early Late Paleolithic (32-36,000 years). This cavity also contains evidence of occupation by cave bears (Ursus spelaeus), on the floors (bones, beds, footprints) and walls (scratches, bärenschliffen). Based on 3D modelling of floors, walls and vaults in several galleries, a morphometric analysis is currently carried out and proposes a new methodological approach for these paleobiological records (size/shape of scratches, scratches measurements, density of scratches/m2, height of ursid marks on the walls, variability, spatialization). First results suggest a high density of scratches in deeper galleries of the cavity (between 80 and 160 meters from the Paleolithic entrance). Scratch sizes reveal intense wall marking activities by cave bear cubs and adult females and in a much less proportion by adult/large males.

Date
juil. 24, 2022 — juil. 31, 2022
Lieu
Savoie Technolac
73370 Le Bourget-du-Lac
Philippe Fosse
Philippe Fosse
Paléontologue

Responsable de l’étude de la faune

Jean-Baptiste Fourvel
Jean-Baptiste Fourvel
Paléontologue
Nicolas Frerebeau
Nicolas Frerebeau
Archéologue
Carole Fritz
Carole Fritz
Archéologue

Directrice scientifique

Diego Garate
Diego Garate
Archéologue
Nicolas Lateur
Nicolas Lateur
Archéologue
Antoine Laurent
Antoine Laurent
Géomaticien

Capture 3D et photogrammétrie

Olivia Rivero
Olivia Rivero
Archéologue
Thomas Sagory
Thomas Sagory
Archéologue

Capture 3D et photogrammétrie

Gilles Tosello
Gilles Tosello
Préhistorien