Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Battants shelter is a rock shelter and a prehistoric site located in the municipality of Blassac, Haute-Loire, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This monument bears witness to a human occupation during the ancient, middle and upper Paleolithic, with vestiges attributed to periods ranging from the Aurignacian to Magdalenian, and more precisely to Protoazilean for some discoveries.

Archaeological excavations, conducted by Costerian and Mr. Perreau, identified two distinct levels: one associated with the Aurignacian and the other with the Magdalenian. The revealed lithic industry has striking characteristics, such as a predominance of burins (especially dihedral burins) over scrapers, as well as retouched and truncated blades. Two typical Azilian tips and circular scrapers were also discovered, suggesting dating at the beginning of the Azilian period (Protoazilean).

The stratigraphic position of the archaeological layer and the presence of wildlife adapted to a temperate climate reinforce the hypothesis of a relatively recent occupation in the paleolithic context. These elements have led the researchers to refine the chronology of the site, although precise dates remain subject to interpretation.

The Battants' Shelter was listed as historic monuments by order of 5 January 1989, thus recognizing its heritage importance. The similarities between its lithic industry and that of the Blot Shelter, another regional site, underline its role in understanding local prehistoric cultures. The discoveries made here help inform the lifestyles and techniques of the hunter-gatherer populations who occupied this area during the Prehistory.

External links