Potential interactions between Mesolithic hunter-gatherers and Neolithic farmers in the Western Mediterranean: The geochronological data revisited
Fig 2
Logicistical diagram for establishing a hypothesis of contact between Mesolithic and Neolithic groups.
Simplified logicistical diagram representing the necessary conditions for establishing a hypothesis (ω) of contact between prehistoric groups, in this case Mesolithic hunter-gatherers and Neolithic agro-pastoralists, on the basis of archaeological contexts and material productions. This first involves low-level propositions (P0), generally in the form of observations: Their geographical proximity must thus be demonstrated, as well as their contemporaneity (within the limits of accuracy of the absolute data) and the elements for comparison, which are generally material productions, must be analyzed in a coherent manner. Validating these first two conditions makes the hypothesis of contact possible. But it is also necessary that the remains accessible to the archaeologist, which are generally material goods, can attest that such possible contact actually took place. Finally, it is crucial to note that it is only possible to demonstrate that the groups were contemporaneous and exchanged goods or ideas once the independence of the compared samples has been demonstrated and the taphonomic processes controlled.