Sites

La Chaire a Calvin

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Site type:
Shelter
Site function:
Habitation site, Decor cave
Lat/Long:
45.55, 0.11
Country:
France
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La Chaire a Calvin is a rock shelter near the village of Mouthiers-sur-Boëme in the Département of Charente, situated in the valley of the Gersac stream. The shelter is on a cliff that faces southeast. The rock face of this rock shelter has a sculpted frieze dated to the Magdalenian period; approximately 15,000 years BP.

This site was studied by Pierre David from 1924 onwards, who discovered the frieze in 1926. It was further studied by Bouvier in the 1960s.

This site contains the remains of rhinoceros, red deer, beaver, wolf, Saiga Antelope, tarpan, reindeer, and aurochs, as well as fox, hare, and indeterminate birds. The remains of Saiga Antelope were the most numerous animal remains discovered, they have been dated to around 16,000 BP.

The only human remains discovered are a single molar, discovered in 1933 and attributed to the Magdelenian.

Artifacts found include bone needles, a squared bone spearhead; a shellfish necklace, and some pearls. Stone artifacts include bladelets, chisels, and scrapers.

The lithics industry associated with the site appears to be Magdelenian, although it is not sure from which stage of the Magdelenian, at least one point which may be Azilian was found in bed 1. Burins and end-scrapers are very common.

Some bone tools have also been recovered, including needles and spearheads. Perforated beads were discovered which indicate some long-distance exchange with contemporary groups.