Episodes of Magdalenian Hunter-Gatherers in the Upper Gallery of Tuc d’Audoubert (Ariège, France)

Abstract

The Tuc d’Audoubert cave (Ariège, France) offers unique insights into the life of Late Pleistocene hunters-gatherers due to its exceptionally good preservation conditions. This is especially true for the 300 footprints in the upper gallery of the cave. Even for the layperson, some trackways are easily recognized. Short episodes of past life become tangible. The spectrum of scientific analytic methods used in western science has not yet provided an option to interpret these visible episodes satisfactorily. For this reason, tracking experts, i.e. indigenous ichnologists, were invited to analyse the footprints in Tuc d’Audoubert. With their dynamic approach of identification, they are able to do justice to the dynamics embodied in the footprints. In total, eight main concentrations in four different locations were studied. Two hundred fifty-five footprints were identified and grouped into 24 events. In view of the group compositions and the assumption that humans did not climb alone into the upper gallery for security reasons, it can be concluded that a maximum of five visits by two to six subjects were carried out. Among the events, the couple of an adult man and an adult woman, who appear together in a total of ten different spots, is particularly noteworthy. Altogether, this study is a first step of a multi-stage procedure. Further analyses based on measurements and plantar pressure analyses will follow.

Animal tracks and human footprints in prehistoric hunter-gatherer rock art of the Doro! nawas mountains (Namibia), analysed by present-day indigenous tracking experts

“…For this study, we engaged three indigenous tracking experts, Tsamgao Ciqae, /Ui Kxunta and Thui Thao; they had previously worked on the Tracking in Caves project [30][31][32]34], but also as professional trackers for commercial hunting. The research at the sites selected for this study, RAS 6 and RAS 8, took place from 18 to 20 September 2018.…”

“…The Tracking in Caves project referenced above has standardised the process of recording the indigenous tracking experts' workflow in reading prehistoric track engravings [30][31][32]34]. The initial stage of this process entailed the compiling of lists with information on each individual track engraving examined.…”

“…In recent years, archaeological research has increasingly begun to involve bearers of indigenous knowledge, particularly in ichnology, the science of tracks [ 29 – 31 ; see 32 , 33 with specific relation to indigenous knowledge around prehistoric human tracks]. Some of this research has analysed, in much greater detail than had been accessible via the archaeological methods implemented hitherto, Pleistocene footprints preserved in caves in France that were in use during the Upper Palaeolithic [ 30 , 31 , 34 ]. We consider the undisputed skills and knowledge of indigenous hunters in tracking animals and humans equally successfully [ 18 , 35 – 45 ; for pastoralists’ knowledge, cf.…”