Early hominin activity in Waziers. Reconstructing the environment of the Somme Valley, France during the Eemian interglacial.

On a low-lying plain on the southeast border of the Scarpe, the rare archaeological site of Waziers, dating back to the Eemian stage, was discovered. At this site several flint artefacts and faunal remains have been discovered. Concerning this site, several research studies have been conducted. Excavations at Waziers in 2017 have provided botanical macrofossil samples for study. Analysis of botanical macrofossils has been carried out to make an environmental reconstruction of the area early hominins exploited at Waziers during the Eemian stage. The data produced during this study has been combined with faunal and palynological data. The botanical macrofossil data shows a changing environment from end of the Saalien stage and during the Eemian stage. The sedimentation of a fluvial lake is implied. The aquatic, open landscape at the end of the Saalien changed to damp wetlands during the start of the more temperate Eemian. The final result was a swamp forest. This is supported by the...Show moreOn a low-lying plain on the southeast border of the Scarpe, the rare archaeological site of Waziers, dating back to the Eemian stage, was discovered. At this site several flint artefacts and faunal remains have been discovered. Concerning this site, several research studies have been conducted. Excavations at Waziers in 2017 have provided botanical macrofossil samples for study. Analysis of botanical macrofossils has been carried out to make an environmental reconstruction of the area early hominins exploited at Waziers during the Eemian stage. The data produced during this study has been combined with faunal and palynological data. The botanical macrofossil data shows a changing environment from end of the Saalien stage and during the Eemian stage. The sedimentation of a fluvial lake is implied. The aquatic, open landscape at the end of the Saalien changed to damp wetlands during the start of the more temperate Eemian. The final result was a swamp forest. This is supported by the faunal and palynological data. Researching the environment of Waziers is used to help us understand early hominin behavior and gain information on why to early hominins appear to not have crossed the North Sea Canal during MIS 5e.Show less

Leiden University Student Repository

Documents

In Collections

Early hominin activity in Waziers. Reconstructing the environment of the Somme Valley, France during the Eemian interglacial.