Case Studies:Case study 41

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Paleolithic Burnt Bone Horizons from the Swabian Jura
Solveig Schieg, Paul Goldberg, Hans-Ulrich Pfretzschner and Nicholas J. Conard

Abstract
Hohle Fels Cave is one of several Upper Paleolithic sites on the eastern extension of the Swabian Alb in southwestern Germany. The archaeological inventories comprise a broad range of artifacts produced from stone, bone, teeth, ivory, and antler. One burnt bone layer is a key horizon because of its distinct composition and color and its large horizontal extension. This has been examined using a combination of analytical techniques including micromorphological analysis of thin sections with polarizing light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy for fabric and identification of mineral and biogenic constituents. The bone mineral composition was analyzed by infrared spectroscopy and electron probe microanalytical techniques. These investigations in tandem with the field observations indicate intense burning of bones as fuel. The micromorphological and contextual archaeological data suggest that the layer is a secondary dump rather than an in situ accumulation. This deposit and other Paleolithic burnt deposits in the Swabian Jura appear to reflect intense periods of winter occupation in these caves.

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Paleolithic Burnt Bone Horizons from the Swabian Jura: Distinguishing between In Situ Fireplaces and Dumping Areas.

Keywords: Hohle Fels Cave, Upper Paleolithic, Swabian Alb, Germany, micromorphology, infrared spectroscopy, electron microscopy

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