The Châtelperronian of Grotte XVI, Cénac-et-Saint-Julien (Dordogne, France)

ABSTRACT Considered from its apparition as anindustry belonging to the Upper Paleolithic, theChâtelperronian corresponds with the beginning ofthis period in southwestern Europe. The presenceof Mousterian elements in Châtelperronianassemblages has been interpreted as showing anaffiliation between the Mousterian of AcheulianTradition and this industry. Moreover, it seems that Châtelperronian assemblages found on top ofMousterian occupations are richer in Mousterianelements than what is observed in sites whereMousterian occupations are lacking. Because thismay indicate mixing between the archaeologicallevels, it appeared necessary to check the integrityof the Châtelperronian level identified within thesequence of Grotte XVI, where several Mousterianlevels have been documented. In this perspective,we used information about the site formationprocesses as well as chronological, stratigraphic(three-dimensional plots, refittings) and techno-typological data. The results of these analyses show that this level is homogeneous and thatcontaminations with the levels beneath and aboveare relatively uncommon.