Ornamental Evidence of Migration: A Comparative Study of Personal Ornaments from Arcy-sur-Cure and Bacho Kiro during the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition in Europe

The Middle Palaeolithic (MP) to Upper Palaeolithic (UP) transition represents one of most debated archaeological periods, marked by the appearance of anatomically modern humans (AMH) in Europe and their encounters or interbreeding with Neanderthals, who were eventually replaced. This demographic and cultural shift involves complex questions around migration patterns, cultural exchange, and technological developments. Different lithic technological and chronological similarities have been observed between several sites and cultures, pointing to potential connections with migration waves of AMH into Europe. However, as much of the focus has been on lithic industries, this study shifts attention to personal ornaments to study this transformative period. In this study, personal ornaments from two key sites from this period have been analysed: Bacho Kiro and Arcy-sur-Cure (Grotte du Renne). The primary objective of this study is to assess the cultural and technological diversity within...Show moreThe Middle Palaeolithic (MP) to Upper Palaeolithic (UP) transition represents one of most debated archaeological periods, marked by the appearance of anatomically modern humans (AMH) in Europe and their encounters or interbreeding with Neanderthals, who were eventually replaced. This demographic and cultural shift involves complex questions around migration patterns, cultural exchange, and technological developments. Different lithic technological and chronological similarities have been observed between several sites and cultures, pointing to potential connections with migration waves of AMH into Europe. However, as much of the focus has been on lithic industries, this study shifts attention to personal ornaments to study this transformative period. In this study, personal ornaments from two key sites from this period have been analysed: Bacho Kiro and Arcy-sur-Cure (Grotte du Renne). The primary objective of this study is to assess the cultural and technological diversity within personal ornaments at these sites, focusing on material and species selection, type of ornaments, and production methods. The comparative analyses showed clear differences between the two sites, mainly on preference for particular species for material selection and production technique used. This could reflect cultural preferences. When placed in the broader context of the MP to UP transition, Bacho Kiro appears to align more closely with the Initial Upper Palaeolithic (IUP) in terms of difference in personal ornaments with Grotte du Renne. In contrast, Grotte du Renne exhibits greater similarities with the Aurignacian culture, particularly in its preference for the fox species and similarities in production techniques used for the different materials selected. Studying the personal ornaments provided a significant insight into the migration waves of AMH into Europe at this transitional juncture, reinforcing the significance of personal ornaments as markers of intergroup interactions and cultural preferences.Show less

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Ornamental Evidence of Migration: A Comparative Study of Personal Ornaments from Arcy-sur-Cure and Bacho Kiro during the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition in Europe