Assessing Seasonal Mobility in Human Populations and their Prey during the Upper Palaeolithic in Southwestern France

Conference Paper

Assessing Seasonal Mobility in Human Populations and their Prey during the Upper Palaeolithic in Southwestern France

Ariane M. Burke

Abstract

This paper will examine current models of hunter/ gatherer settlement organisation for the Upper Palaeolithic in Southwestern France. Skelettochronological data and other seasonal indicators from a regional sample of Pleniglacial sites in the Aquitaine Basin will be used to assess the validity of the proposed models in this region. The mobility of human populations will be examined relative to the season movements of important prey species such as Rangifer tarandus, and Equus caballus. Human hunting strategies will also be examined relative to the known behaviour (ethology) of principal prey.