This shows the present walk up to the Laugerie Basse area, with l'abri Classique on the left screened by trees, and l'abri des Marseilles on the right, with the distinctive 'cap' of overhanging stone. La grotte du Grand Roc, never used by humans, is also accessed via this walkway, and is out of frame to the left of this photo. Photo: Don Hitchcock L'abri des Marseilles, 50 metres from l'abri Classique, is also often referred to as Laugerie Basse, and is the abri which visitors to the Laugerie Basse site are able to inspect.
This map of the area shows clearly how the two abris are related. If you click on the map you will see a larger map with the ability to click on the marked sites and get further information. Photo: Don Hitchcock. Laugerie Basse that is, l'abri Classique, shown in this photo is about fifteen metres deep and fifty metres long.
The excavations carried out during the s by Edouard Lartet did not accurately record the stratigraphy of the site. The stratigraphy was not established until around the First World War, at which time it was completely excavated down to bedrock. Photo: Don Hitchcock Text: translated and adapted from Wikipedia. Photo: Peyrony Left to right: Awl, engraved awl, eyed needle.
These are from the Middle Magdalenian, and are rather short and wide to lanceolate, on a single bevel, sharp at the distal end, with a long unstriated bevel, always on the upper side, and a groove frequently on the underside, facing the viewer in this case.
Note that there are two very different points given this name, see below. The Laugerie-Basse point has a particular shape and method of retouch which makes it quite unique. Photo: Bordes et al. Next two artefacts: Grattoir-burin, scraper-burin. Far right: Bec double, a tool with two usable drill points, or a 'double beaked' tool.
