Neanderthal and fire during Early Middle Palaeolithic. Overview of its use traces in Northern France

This article aims at drawing up balance sheet of remains of fire use by the first Neanderthals of Northern France, during the second part of the Saalian (MIS 8 to 6). This overview reminds us the rarity of fire testimonies during Early Middle Palaeolithic (300-130 Icy BP) on the scale of North-Western Europe. For Northern France, only the sites of Biache-Saint-Vaast and Therdonne present remains of combustion. At Biache-Saint-Vaast, it is not less than six levels, which present clues of combustion: burnt flint and faunal remains and sometimes charcoals. At Therdonne, besides burnt numerous flint and some rare faunal remains were brought to light during the excavation of level N3 several rich zones in organic residues and micro-charcoals. All the datas collected concerning the clues of combustion at Biache-Saint-Vaast and Therdonne is compiled, analyzed and interpreted. This approach permits to establish the fire use or its absence in saalian occupations of Neanderthals of Northern France and to discuss modalities of its use, particularly at Therdonne. To conclude, fire status and its implications in first Neanderthals occupations are briefly discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.