1. Spatial use at Große Grotte (Blaubeuren, Southern Germany), and Implications for Middle Paleolithic Stratigraphy, Spatiality and Chronology.
- Author
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FRICK, Jens Axel, SCHÜRCH, Benjamin, and ÇEP, Berrin
- Subjects
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MIDDLE Paleolithic Period , *PALEOLITHIC Period , *ANIMAL migration , *ANIMAL herds , *STONE - Abstract
Große Grotte is one of the few Middle Paleolithic sites in the Swabian Jura where it is possible to perform intraspatial analyses based on stratigraphic, chorological and chronological observations. In this paper, the spatial use of the site is discussed. This is of great importance both for the interpretation of the site use and for the understanding of the settlement system in general. The settlement remains in Große Grotte were distributed in individual concentrations within the ten Middle Paleolithic layers and were also not found diachronically at the same spot. The settlement shifted successively over time towards the northern cave wall. The layers were deposited during the time span between MIS 5 and 3. Regarding the stone artifacts of the respective layers, a diachronic increase in complexity and diversity is evident. Due to the location of the cave within the landscape, the site can be considered primarily as a base for observing the migration of animal herds. The site was not usable all year because of hibernating cave bears, indicating seasonal use of the location by humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022