Archaeological site in Solutré reveals ancient relics

Between 2015 and 2016, the Inrap conducted an excavation in the village of Solutré (Saône-et-Loire), uncovering tens of thousands of relics that attest to an occupation by Middle Magdalenian hunters between 19,000 and 16,000 years ago. These artifacts, including bones, flint tools, bone objects, reindeer antlers, and ivory, have been the subject of specialized studies and will be displayed at the Solutré Prehistory Museum. The transfer of ownership from the State to the Saône-et-Loire Department, supported by the Drac Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, made this possible.

Excavation site reflects ancient climate conditions

The excavation site, known as "Route de la Roche," is located at the entrance to the village and was occupied 18,000 years ago by Upper Paleolithic groups of the Magdalenian culture. At that time, Western Europe was experiencing the end of the last major glaciation, and the climate in the Saône valley and surrounding hills was similar to today's subarctic regions, with tundra-like vegetation. The fauna included cold-adapted herbivores such as reindeer, horse, and mammoth, as well as carnivores like wolf, lynx, and fox.

Artifacts show daily life and hunting practices

The artifacts uncovered during the excavation provide a deeper understanding of Magdalenian populations and the prehistoric site of Solutré, which was not only a hunting ground but also a place of life. The remains include evidence of hunting activities and the consumption of species adapted to the cold steppe environment, such as reindeer, horse, hare, bison, saiga antelope, and roe deer. All parts of the animals were used, including skin, tendons, horns, meat, offal, bones, antlers, and possibly fat and blood.

Hunting tools show advanced craftsmanship

Hunting equipment found on the site includes spear points made from reindeer antlers of varying dimensions, mounted on wooden shafts (not preserved). These weapons were adapted to the size of the game, with sharp flint blades (called backed blades) inserted into the point or shaft to enhance their effectiveness.

Tools and ornaments reveal domestic life

In addition to hunting tools, the excavation revealed objects related to domestic activities such as animal butchery, hide processing, and sewing, illustrated by several dozen bone needles of different templates. All the waste and tools related to the production of these objects are present on the site.

Unique ornaments and mysterious objects found

One of the exceptional aspects of this excavation is a series of ornaments, including more than 150 items. These include perforated shells from the Mediterranean, animal teeth, and perforated and decorated bone objects (deer antlers, hyoid bones), which are particularly rare in the region. The wear observed on these items suggests they were worn for a long time before being abandoned. Other notable finds include a "pine cone" in ivory decorated with a grid pattern across its entire surface, whose function remains unknown. This object has no equivalent in French Paleolithic artifacts. The excavation also uncovered a variety of domestic tools, including bone eye needles, flint scrapers, and awls.