10-2024, tome 121, 3, p.399-417 - Grégor Marchand, Vincent Charpentier, Maria Pia Maiorano, Federico Borgi, Jérémie Vosges, Andrea Zerboni— L’?industrie lithique des premiers chasseurs-collecteurs maritimes d’Arabie : la grotte de Natif (Dhofar, sultanat

L'industrie lithique des premiers chasseurs-collecteurs maritimes d'Arabie : la grotte de Natif 2 (Dhofar, sultanat d'Oman)

Grégor Marchand, Vincent Charpentier, Maria Pia Maiorano, Federico Borgi, Jérémie Vosges, Andrea Zerboni

Résumé : Découverte en 2013, dans le Dhofar - province méridionale du sultanat d'Oman - la grotte de Natif 2 est actuellement l'unique témoin de communautés maritimes du Paléolithique final, en péninsule Arabique. La fouille d'une partie du porche révèle une importante activité humaine entre le début du IXe et le milieu du VIIIe millénaire avant notre ère, notamment en termes de production halieutique, d'écologie ou de technologie lithique. Ainsi la pêche pratiquée dans des eaux peu profondes et à quelques centaines de mètres de la grotte, s'oriente vers de petites espèces pélagiques (anchois et sardinelles), mais aussi d'un petit poisson-chat marin. En parallèle, la capture de raies et de squales (ces derniers pouvant dépasser plus de 2 m de long), est confirmée.

Cet article présente les industries lithiques datées de la première moitié du VIIIe millénaire avant notre ère (env. 7950-7600 cal. BC). L'étude vise à caractériser les techniques et méthodes de débitage, afin de compléter nos faibles connaissances sur les technocomplexes dits « à pointe de Fasad ».

L'analyse typologique et technologique de l'industrie lithique de Natif 2 montre une grande homogénéité dans l'ensemble de la stratigraphie. Les armatures de Fasad sont surtout très homogènes dans leurs principes techniques. La production de lamelles à profil longitudinal peu convexe - voire rectiligne - et à extrémité distale pointue constitue un objectif de débitage original, qui a, de facto, valeur de marqueur culturel. Les autres outils aménagés les plus caractéristiques se composent de troncatures obliques sur lames ou éclats, de perçoirs et d'éclats denticulés. Pour de tels outils assez courts, les méthodes de production observées sont très simples, avec une production intégrée de lames courtes, de lamelles épaisses et d'éclats non corticaux.

Mots-clés : Paléolithique, chasseurs-cueilleurs maritimes, mer d???Arabie, sultanat d???Oman, Dhofar.

Abstract: Discovered in 2013 in Dhofar, the southern province of the Sultanate of Oman, Natif 2 Cave stands as a witness to the maritime communities of the final Paleolithic in the Arabian Peninsula. The cave's entrance, located at the base of a 600-meter-high cliff from Jebel Samhan, underwent meticulous excavation during a campaign in 2016. These efforts uncovered compelling evidence of significant human activity spanning the early 9th to mid-8th millennium BC, offering unparalleled insights into early fishing practices, ecological dynamics, and lithic technology. The proximity of shallow waters, a few hundred meters from the cave, facilitated targeted fishing for small pelagic species, including anchovies, sardines, and a small marine catfish. The capture of larger marine species, such as rays and sharks exceeding 2 m in length, further attests to the diversity of prehistoric maritime pursuits.

This article delves into the lithic industries of Natif 2, specifically those dating to the first half of the 8th millennium BC (approximately 7950-7600 cal. BC). The focal point is the comprehensive characterization of knapping techniques and methods. Typological and technological analyses show the homogeneity prevalent throughout Natif 2's stratigraphy, presenting a consistent picture of cultural and technological practices.

The lithic assemblage, spanning the entire deposit and exhibiting over 540 pieces per square meter, provides a rich lithic record for this first exploration. Flint, featuring minimal thermal alterations, emerges as the primary raw material. Noteworthy is the diverse range of raw materials, including opaque black, blond, and translucent blond-orange flint adorned with manganese dendrites. Small flakes, constituting 43.8% of the total lithic material, are prevalent, characterized by their size (less than 10 mm).

Central to the lithic exploration are the Fasad points, distinctive projectile armatures of the Early Holocene. These points, though relatively small, not exceeding 40 mm in length, exhibit diversity in dimensions while maintaining uniformity in technical principles. Crafted from elongated non-cortical supports, typically rectilinear blades, the Fasad points feature a pointed unmodified distal end, axial symmetry, direct and abrupt retouching of the stem. Moreover, traces of use and accidental breakage provide valuable insights into their functional axis.

Beyond Fasad points, the lithic assemblage includes an array of tools, such as truncations, borers and denticulates. Truncations, along with tools featuring chipped edges, suggest multifaceted functional applications, encompassing scraping and cutting.

Furthermore, the lithic production at Natif 2 is marked by an opportunistic utilization of various raw materials for expedient purposes. A recurrent method involves the production of longitudinally convex or rectilinear bladelets with pointed distal ends, achieved through direct unidirectional hard percussion.

The typological and technological analysis of Natif 2 lithic industry unveils a remarkable homogeneity across the stratigraphy. Fasad points and associated tools manifest a simplicity of production methods conceived for relatively short tools. This system, reminiscent of expedient techniques in European prehistory, attests to its adaptability in highly mobile human contexts. The low pre-determination aligns with the abundance of materials in traversed territories, eliminating the need for reshaping or producing anticipatory toolkit replenishment.

The abundant marine remains in Natif 2's stratigraphic sequence, including fish bones and mollusk shells, raise intriguing questions about maritime adaptations. The study underscores the necessity for future functional analyses to unravel the potential involvement of lithic tools in diverse maritime activities, especially in processing soft animal materials.

The article offers a preliminary analysis of the site and its lithic component for understanding of the trajectories of these ancient communities in the territory during the final stage of the Palaeolithic. The juxtaposition of diverse technical systems contributes to a nuanced exploration of cultural and technological adaptations, enriching our comprehension of Southern Arabia prehistoric societies.

Keywords: Palaeolithic, maritime hunter-gatherers, Arabian Sea, Sultanate of Oman, Dhofar.