Back to Don's Maps
Mousterian (Neanderthal) Sites
Back to the La Ferrassie site
La Ferrassie Tools
La Ferrassie rock shelter yielded skeletons from eight Neanderthal individuals, including adults, children, infants, and two fetuses. Today the skeleton of La Ferrassie 1 is considered the classic example of Neanderthal anatomy. It was discovered on 17th September 1909 by R. Capitan and D. Peyrony. This is a record of the tools found there by Peyrony, and on display at Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac.
La Ferrassie Mousterian tools from the Grand abri layer D, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 70 000 BP.
■ 2 Racloirs, side scrapers
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
La Ferrassie Mousterian tools from the Grand abri layer D, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 70 000 BP.
■ 2 Racloirs, side scrapers
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
La Ferrassie Mousterian tools from the Grand abri layer D, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 70 000 BP.
■1 Bifaces, hand axes
■ 2 Racloirs, side scrapers
■ 3 Encoches/denticulés, notched/serrated tools
■ 4 Tools of the upper Palaeolithic type
■ 5 Special tools
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer E, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 35 000 BP.
Perigordian I, N = 1000.
The Perigordian is from the Upper Palaeolithic, and is characterised by the Châtelperronian point. It is derived from the evolved Mousterian period and Acheulian type B tradition, immediately anterior to Würm II, and is thus dated from the end of the Würm II/III interglacial period. (Diop et al, 1991)
■ 6: Grattoirs, scrapers on the end of a blade
■ 7: Burins
■ 8: Retouched tools
■ 9: Perçoirs becs, drills/borers
■ 11: Notched/denticulated tools
■ 12: Racloirs/raclettes, side scrapers and small, often round scrapers
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Value for N: Clarke (2014)
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer E, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 35 000 BP.
Perigordian I, N = 1000.
Note the classic Châtelperronian point at the upper right corner of this image.
■ 11: Notched/denticulated tools
■ 12: Racloirs/raclettes, side scrapers and small, often round scrapers
■ 13: Armatures, tools
■ 14: Composite tools
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Value for N: Clarke (2014)
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer E, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 35 000 BP.
Perigordian I, N = 1000.
Note the classic Châtelperronian point beside the number ■ 13 in this image.
Note also the curious bone tool under ■ 16 which looks remarkably like a bone arrow head.
■ 12: Racloirs/raclettes, side scrapers and small, often round scrapers
■ 13: Armatures, tools
■ 14: Composite tools
■ 15: Special tools
■ 16: Bone industry
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Value for N: Clarke (2014)
La Ferrassie bones and other organic material from the Grand abri layer E, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer E', excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 34 000 BP.
Perigordian II.
■ 6: Grattoirs, scrapers on the end of a blade
■ 7: Burins
■ 8: Retouched tools
■ 14: Composite tools
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer E', excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 34 000 BP.
Perigordian II.
■ 8: Retouched tools
■ 10: Microliths
■ 14: Composite tools
■ 15: Special tools
■ 16: Bone industry
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer E', excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 34 000 BP.
Perigordian II.
■ 8: Retouched tools
■ 10: Microliths
■ 15: Special tools
■ 16: Bone industry
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer F, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 32 000 BP.
Aurignacian I, N = 2460.
■ 6: Grattoirs, scrapers on the end of a blade
■ 7: Burins
■ 8: Retouched tools
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Value for N: Clarke (2014)
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer F, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 32 000 BP.
Aurignacian I, N = 2460.
■ 6: Grattoirs, scrapers on the end of a blade
■ 8: Retouched tools
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Value for N: Clarke (2014)
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer F, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 32 000 BP.
Aurignacian I, N = 2460.
■ 6: Grattoirs, scrapers on the end of a blade
■ 10: Microliths
■ 11: Notched/denticulated tools
■ 12: Racloirs/raclettes, side scrapers and small, often round scrapers
■ 16: Bone industry
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Value for N: Clarke (2014)
La Ferrassie bones and other organic material from the Grand abri layer F, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 32 000 BP.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer H, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 30 000 BP.
Aurignacian II, N = 4039.
■ 6: Grattoirs, scrapers on the end of a blade
■ 7: Burins
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Value for N: Clarke (2014)
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer H, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 30 000 BP.
Aurignacian II, N = 4039.
■ 6: Grattoirs, scrapers on the end of a blade
■ 7: Burins
■ 8: Retouched tools
■ 10: Microliths
■ 11: Notched/denticulated tools
■ 12: Racloirs/raclettes, side scrapers and small, often round scrapers
■ 14: Composite tools
■ 15: Special tools
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Value for N: Clarke (2014)
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer H, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 30 000 BP.
Aurignacian II, N = 4039.
■ 8: Retouched tools
■ 10: Microliths
■ 11: Notched/denticulated tools
■ 12: Racloirs/raclettes, side scrapers and small, often round scrapers
■ 14: Composite tools
■ 15: Special tools
■ 16: Bone industry
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Value for N: Clarke (2014)
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer H, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 30 000 BP.
Aurignacian II, N = 4039.
■ 8: Retouched tools
■ 10: Microliths
■ 11: Notched/denticulated tools
■ 12: Racloirs/raclettes, side scrapers and small, often round scrapers
■ 14: Composite tools
■ 15: Special tools
■ 16: Bone industry
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Value for N: Clarke (2014)
La Ferrassie bone industry.
Age: Layer H, Middle Aurignacian.
Layer H is dated elsewhere in the museum in the main display cases as circa 30 000 BP, Aurignacian II.
( note that this image is from an apparently older display of various tools from various sites from the Aurignacian - Don )
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals , Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
La Ferrassie bones and other organic material from the Grand abri layer H, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer H', excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 29 000 BP.
Aurignacian III.
■ 6: Grattoirs, scrapers on the end of a blade
Note that some of these appear to be on a flake, not a blade.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer H', excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 29 000 BP.
Aurignacian III.
■ 6: Grattoirs, scrapers on the end of a blade
■ 7: Burins
■ 9: Perçoirs becs, drills/borers
■ 11: Notched/denticulated tools
■ 12: Racloirs/raclettes, side scrapers and small, often round scrapers
■ 14: Composite tools
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer H', excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 29 000 BP.
Aurignacian III.
■ 8: Retouched tools
■ 15: Special tools
■ 16: Bone industry
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
La Ferrassie bone industry.
Age: Layer H', Recent Aurignacian.
Layer H' is dated elsewhere in the museum in the main display cases as circa 29 000 BP, Aurignacian III.
( note that this image is from an apparently older display of various tools from various sites from the Aurignacian - Don )
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals , Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer H'', excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 28 000 BP.
Aurignacian IV, N = 473.
■ 6: Grattoirs, scrapers on the end of a blade
■ 7: Burins
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Value for N: Clarke (2014)
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer H'', excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 28 000 BP.
Aurignacian IV, N = 473.
■ 6: Grattoirs, scrapers on the end of a blade
■ 7: Burins
■ 8: Retouched tools
■ 11: Notched/denticulated tools
■ 14: Composite tools
■ 15: Special tools
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Value for N: Clarke (2014)
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer H'', excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 28 000 BP.
Aurignacian IV, N = 473.
■ 11: Notched/denticulated tools
■ 14: Composite tools
■ 15: Special tools
■ 16: Bone industry
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Value for N: Clarke (2014)
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer J, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 26 000 BP.
Perigordian V1/Va, N = 886.
■ 6: Grattoirs, scrapers on the end of a blade
■ 7: Burins
■ 8: Retouched tools
■ 9: Perçoirs becs, drills/borers
■ 10: Microliths
■ 13: Armatures, tools
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Value for N: Clarke (2014)
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer J, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 26 000 BP.
Perigordian V1/Va, N = 886.
■ 9: Perçoirs becs, drills/borers
■ 10: Microliths
■ 11: Notched/denticulated tools
■ 13: Armatures, tools
■ 14: Composite tools
■ 15: Special tools
■ 16: Bone industry
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Value for N: Clarke (2014)
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer J, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 26 000 BP.
Perigordian V1/Va, N = 886.
■ 13: Armatures, tools
■ 15: Special tools
■ 16: Bone industry
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Value for N: Clarke (2014)
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer K, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 25 000 BP.
Perigordian V2/Vb.
■ 6: Grattoirs, scrapers on the end of a blade
■ 7: Burins
■ 8: Retouched tools
■ 9: Perçoirs becs, drills/borers
■ 11: Notched/denticulated tools
■ 13: Armatures, tools
■ 14: Composite tools
■ 15: Special tools
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
La Ferrassie tools from the Grand abri layer L, excavations of D. Peyrony.
Age circa 24 000 BP
Perigordian V3/Vc.
■ 6: Grattoirs, scrapers on the end of a blade
■ 7: Burins
■ 8: Retouched tools
■ 11: Notched/denticulated tools
■ 14: Composite tools
■ 16: Bone industry
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2014
Source: Originals, Le Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
References
- Clarke, D., 2014: Models in Archaeology, Routledge, 24Oct.,2014 - Social Science - 1090 pages
- Delson E., Tattersall I., Van Couvering J., Brooks A., 2004: Encyclopedia of Human Evolution and Prehistory: Second Edition, Routledge, 23rd November 2004 - Social Science - 800 pages
- Diop C., Salemson H., De Jager M., 1991: Civilization Or Barbarism: An Authentic Anthropology, Chicago Review Press, 1991 - Social Science - 440 pages
- Mellars, P., 1996: The Neanderthal Legacy, Princeton University Press, ISBN 0-691-03493-1
Back to Don's Maps
Back to Archaeological Sites