Bruxelles, P (2011) Climatic conditions, settlement patterns and cultures in the Paleolithic: The example of the Garonne Valley

(southwest France) Human Evolution, Volume 61, Issue 5, Pages 519-630

Keyword: Human Evolution Sources: ScienceDirect Journals

Shydaea Townes M678Y893 Sophomore- Communications

Moore-Jansen Anth 101 Biological Anthropology CRN: 11052 October 1, 2011

Laurent Bruxelles and Marc Jarry are two researchers who wrote the journal Climatic conditions, settlement patterns and cultures in the Paleolithic. In this they discuss the shared patterns of Paleolithic regions between the Massif Central and the Pyrenees, or south westerners of France. Using up-to-date data from ancient tests, archeologists were able to do research in different geomorphologic situations. Their purpose was to tell about the division of two parts of this land and discuss various perspectives on who lived where and how things were influenced by several climatic conditions. The methods used were systematic tests that occurred over large areas that cuts across numerous kilometers. These tests provided detailed promise for archaeological records. Over 15,000 tests have been mulled over in the past ten years allowing geomorphological contexts (Bruxelles, p 543) to be included in any archaeological remains. In the end, not having enough research caused some problems. More than a few Lower and Middle Paleolithic areas were discovered which proved to be a useful map, but only one test pit, southwest of Toulouse, gave any complimenting material to the Upper Paleolithic region. Therefore, with the Upper Paleolithic in the Toulousain area being gone, it was safely decided that a methodological issue wasnt the issue. Another goal was to understand the different terrain that was being studied. The Lower and Middle Paleolithic were found near the end of Garonne, which showed that not all of the areas were searched of cultural traces during their erosion phases (Bruxelles, p 540). This led the researcher to believe that a large part of the ancient layers covering the areas were removed.

With various archaeological discoveries being made the absence of certain remains arent from observation biases or lack of knowledge. Upper Paleolithic and Middle Paleolithic jobs correspond with climatic advancement, and from this researchers reason that harsh climatic influences led this land to be inhabitable, making populations move to surrounding areas. This article was a interesting for the sole fact it included interesting topics such as climatic weather and the evolution of humans. However, I found it to be quite difficult to read let alone comprehend. Even though the authors gave some background information of their research, the content itself was too mature for the average audience. Perhaps if a similar article was written in laymans terms then the overall point could have gotten across. As it was the authors did a decent job in their research and their delivery of the attained material. Bruxelles and Jarry also showed the Garonne Valley which proved to have several climatic variations in temperature and sea level. This section of the article gave different theories which led to more tests that resulted in cultural mosaic lands being examined and tested. Not only does the article provide well attained information, but it also gives maps and graphs so that even if words fail you, a visual is also made ready for better understanding of the text. The topic human evolution is a peculiar one particularly because it can be very debatable and very controversial. In any case, I think people should never miss the opportunity of exploring and educating themselves on the different theories and propositions others may bring them. With that being said, Climatic conditions, settlement patterns and cultures in the Paleolithic is one sure way to do it.

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