Régismont-le-Haut

Régismont-le-Haut is a prehistoric archaeological site near the rural commune of Poilhes in the Hérault department in southern France. The site was probably inhabited for a short period in the late Aurignacian period.

History

The site was discovered in 1961 by André Bouscaras, and the French archaeologist Guy Morin conducted an initial archaeological excavation of 60 m during the winter of 1961–62. Initial studies of the Lithic industry at the site were carried out by the French prehistorian Georges Laplace and later by Dominique Sacchi. Interdisciplinary research has been taking place at the site since 2000 under the direction of François Bon, professor of prehistory at the University of Toulouse-Jean Jaurès, and the geoarchaeologist Romain Mensan.

The Site

The site is located about 1.6 km east of the village of Poilhes and about 1.1 km southwest of the Oppidum d'Ensérune, covers an area of about 400 m and contains slight depressions corresponding to ancient channels filled with silt that protected the archaeological remains. The site provides evidence of rare settlement patterns for the Aurignacian period, such as buildings composed of organized limestone blocks.

Archaeological remains

The site contained remains of man-made tools, mostly made of flint or quartzite. Although preservation of organic material is generally problematic, fragments of charcoal and burnt and unburnt bones were found at the site, and among the few identifiable remains were a bison skull and several shells, most of which were pierced. These archaeological remains are considered relatively rare and were discovered at the site around 27 centers, which apparently define areas of activity with different purposes. The centers are unusually surrounded by round stones and are 50 to 80 cm in diameter.

The Lithic industry

The stone tools discovered at the site are small in size: about 80% of the thousands of finds uncovered are less than one centimeter in length. Archaeologists explain that in this site tools were used and repaired, actions that produced many fragments, however tools were not produced in this site; the few large blades found at this site were probably manufactured elsewhere, with some of the findindgs originating in northern Aquitaine, others in Costières du Gard.

Dating

The site was likely active in the late Aurignacian period, as indicated by SMA radiocarbon dating, between 27,900 and 29,200 years ago.

Further reading

  • Prehistory of France