Land‐use and site function in Acheulean complexes of the Somme Valley

Abstract

Abstract Study of the various Acheulean occupations at Cagny has demonstrated the existence of different specialized activities linked with specific geomorphological/locational contexts. These are the collection of raw materials from a chalk talus at La Garenne 2; flake knapping processes and biface manufacture at La Garenne 1; exploitation of large herbivore carcasses beside a channel at L'Epinette; flaking activities and biface manufacture spread out over a large area on the high position of La Ferme de l'Epinette. There was systematic use of territory or landscape, with certain attractive sites leading to the enactment of the same activities in the same places periodically over a time span of several tens of thousand years. Keywords: CagnyAcheuleanland usespecialized activitiesspatial organization