Étude techno-économique du Moustérien de Pradayrol (Caniac-du-Causse, Lot) : entre mobilité des ressources lithiques et adaptation aux matériaux locaux, un exemple de gestion complémentaire des quartz et silex au Paléolithique moyen récent en Quercy

Neanderthals at the Pradayrol site (Caniac-du-Causse, France) demonstrated sophisticated adaptation to local lithic resources during the late Middle Paleolithic. Analysis of a quartz-dominated assemblage revealed distinct operational chains tailored to material properties—bipolar on-anvil debitage for quartz cobbles and discoidal flaking for both quartz and nearby flint. Imported Périgord flint exhibited a fragmented, ramified Levallois chain, contrasting with local methods. These findings highlight a strategic balance between technical expertise and environmental constraints, aligning Pradayrol with other Quercy sites of the period. The study combines technological analysis with economic insights to illuminate Neanderthal resource management strategies.

Villeneuve, Q., Faivre, J.-P., Turq, A., & Guadelli, J.-L. (2019). Étude techno-économique du Moustérien de Pradayrol (Caniac-du-Causse, Lot) : entre mobilité des ressources lithiques et adaptation aux matériaux locaux, un exemple de gestion complémentaire des quartz et silex au Paléolithique moyen récent en Quercy. Comptes Rendus Palevol, 18(2), 251–267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpv.2018.10.002