@article{3da14b2247b84864a053d2e10db9bc5a,
title = "F-content variation in mammoth ivory from Aurignacian contexts: Preservation, alteration, and implications for ivory-procurement strategies",
abstract = "This article presents the results of two series of micro-PIXE/PIGE analysis on mammoth ivory samples from four Aurignacian sites in France (Abri Castanet, Grotte d'Isturitz) and Germany (Hohle Fels, Vogelherd). Specifically, we report variation in ivory preservation as indicated by fluorine (F) content and ratios of MgO/CaO from Aurignacian horizons known to contain ivory industries. Though all samples derive from respectively homogenous sedimentary contexts, results show very different pattern of F-content variation among sites. F uptake in ivory is a more complex process than that observed for bone, and the structural/morphological reasons for this are explained. High-resolution data on the archaeological context of the samples from Abri Castanet also allows for examination of the effects of horizontal and vertical distribution on F-content and the sorting of F-content data by sedimentary unit. A definitive model for fluorine uptake during ivory diagenesis will require further investigation, but a close examination of the current data provides novel insight into processes of taphonomy and diagenesis in this exceptional and highly valued raw material, as well as further evidence to support regionally distinct strategies of ivory procurement in the Early Aurignacian. In combination with additional lines of faunal and archaeological evidence, it is demonstrated that ivory procurement in the Swabian Jura focused on fresh local sources of ivory, while procurement strategies in Northern Aquitaine focused on ivory collection from natural deposits of varying age.",
keywords = "Aurignacian, Diagenesis, Fluorine, Mammoth ivory, Micro-PIXE/PIGE, Upper Paleolithic",
author = "C. Heckel and K. M{\"u}ller and R. White and S. Wolf and Conard, {N. J.} and C. Normand and H. Floss and I. Reiche",
note = "Funding Information: Excavations at Abri Castanet have been supported by the National Science Foundation (SBR-9806531) (United States), the Partner University Fund , DRAC-Aquitaine , the Leakey Foundation , the Reed Foundation , the Rock Foundation , CIRHUS (CNRS-NYU) and the Theodore Dubin Foundation . Excavations at Isturitz would not have been possible without the support of DRAC-Aquitaine, Conseil G{\'e}n{\'e}ral des Pyr{\'e}n{\'e}es-Atlantiques , SARL Grottes d'Isturitz et d'Oxocelhaya , Soci{\'e}t{\'e} d{\textquoteright}Etudes Basques Eusko Ikaskuntza , and Laboratoire TRACES CNRS-UMR 5608 , and of the site owner, Jo{\"e}lle Darricau. Excavations at Hohle Fels and at Vogelherd have been conducted with the support of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft , the University of T{\"u}bingen , the Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften , the Landesamt f{\"u}r Denkmalpflege Baden-W{\"u}rttemberg , the Alb-Donau-Kreis , Heidelberg Cement , the Museumsgesellschaft Schelklingen and the Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Urgeschichte . C. Heckel's research in France was funded by a post-doctoral fellowship from the Fyssen Foundation . Funding Information: The analyses reported in this paper were performed at the AGLAE facility at the Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Mus{\'e}es de France, with support from the European CHARISMA (Cultural Heritage Advanced Research Infrastructures-Synergy for a Multidisciplinary Approach to Conservation/Restoriation) program co-funded by the European Commission within the action {\textquoteleft}Research Infrastructures{\textquoteright} of the {\textquoteleft}Capacities{\textquoteright} Programme GA No. FP7-228330 as part of the project “Taphonomic alteration and trace-element preservation in mammoth ivory from Early Upper Palaeolithic contexts.” Many thanks are due to the members of the NEW AGLAE laboratory for their assistance during the analyses: Claire Pacheco, Laurent Pichon, Quentin Lemasson, and Brice Moignard. This project would not have been possible without their support and participation. NEW AGLAE is a F{\'e}deration de Recherche (FR3506) project jointly supported by the CNRS and the Minist{\`e}re de la Culture et de la Communication in France. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2015 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA.",
year = "2016",
month = jun,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1016/j.quaint.2015.11.105",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "403",
pages = "40--50",
journal = "Quaternary International",
issn = "1040-6182",
publisher = "Elsevier Limited",
}