Stages of ‘Neolithisation’ in Southern France: Supply and Exchange of Raw Materials

Abstract

‘Neolithisation’ as defined in this paper is the process whereby populations of Southern France modified their patterns of settlement and economic behaviour from the sixth to the third millennia bc. In moving from dependence mainly on varied seasonal resources to dependence on mainly humanly manipulated and stored resources, they created the possibility of surpluses for exchange. The main emphasis of this paper is on raw materials and changes in their use and exchange over time. Three time periods can conveniently be chosen to illustrate this change:1—c. 5500 to c.4000 bc The assemblages dating to this period and considered here belong to the Cardial culture.2—c. 4000 to c.2500 bc The assemblages dating to this period can broadly be assigned to the Chasseen culture.3—c. 2500 to c.2000 bc The varied assemblages dating to this period have been described as Chalcolithic. However, since little copper is known in relation to stone, it will be described here as Late Neolithic.The assemblages are conveniently illustrated in Courtin 1975.