Abstract
New direct AMS radiocarbon dates of the Sunghir 1 and 3 partial skeletons from the Mid Upper Paleolithic (eastern Gravettian) burials, using ultrafiltration sample preparation, provide ages of 27,050 ± 210 (KIA-27006) and 26,000 ± 410 (KIA-27007) 14C BP. These dates place the two most elaborate Paleolithic burials known within the range of dates for the Mid Upper Paleolithic (eastern Gravettian) archeological levels of the Sunghir site. These determinations confirm earlier dates of the Sunghir 2 and 3 burial, but they are the first ones dating the culturally similar Sunghir 1 burial of the same age. These ages fall within the age range of other earlier Gravettian “red ochre” burials in central and western Europe and reinforce the widespread pattern of internments during this time period in Europe. In addition, the radiocarbon dating provides carbon and nitrogen stable isotope data, along with those from associated faunal remains, confirming the high trophic level of these Mid Upper Paleolithic individuals.
Résumé
De nouvelles datations absolues (méthode C14 avec ultrafiltration du collagène) directes des squelettes partiels de Sunghir 1 et 3 (Gravettien d’Europe de l’Est) nous donnent les résultats de 27 050 ± 210 BP (KIA-27006) et 26 000 ± 410 BP (KIA-27007). Ces derniers placent donc les deux sépultures les plus élaborées du Paléolithique au sein de l’intervalle de variation des dates obtenues pour les niveaux archéologiques de ce site du Gravettien d’Europe de l’Est. Si elles confirment celles précédemment obtenues sur les sépultures de Sunghir 2 et 3, elles sont les premières nous assurant que la sépulture de Sunghir 1, rapportée au même ensemble culturel, se situe au sein de la même période chronologique. Elles tombent aussi dans l’intervalle de variation des autres sépultures « ocrées » du début du Gravettien en Europe de l’Ouest et en Europe centrale et complètent donc nos connaissances sur la forme de ces sépultures de cette période. Enfin, les analyses menées pour obtenir ces datations nous permettent de connaître les données concernant les isotopes stables du Carbone et de l’Azote des deux fossiles. Elles confirment la position élevée dans la chaîne trophique des deux spécimens.
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Dobrovolskaya, M., Richards, M.P. & Trinkaus, E. Direct radiocarbon dates for the Mid Upper Paleolithic (eastern Gravettian) burials from Sunghir, Russia. Bull. Mém. Soc. Anthropol. 24, 96–102 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13219-011-0044-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13219-011-0044-4