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The bouffia Bonneval at La Chapelle-aux-Saints is well known for the discovery of the first secure Neandertal burial in the early 20th century. However, the intentionality of the burial remains an issue of some debate. Here, we present the results of a 12-y fieldwork project, along with a taphonomic analysis of the human remains, designed to assess the funerary context of the La Chapelle-aux-Saints Neandertal. We have established the anthropogenic nature of the burial pit and underlined the taphonomic evidence of a rapid burial of the body. These multiple lines of evidence support the hypothesis of an intentional burial. Finally, the discovery of skeletal elements belonging to the original La Chapelle aux Saints 1 individual, two additional young individuals, and a second adult in the bouffia Bonneval highlights a more complex site-formation history than previously proposed.

Two ring-like structures made of low walls of broken stalagmite pieces, deep in a cave in France, are described and dated to around 176,000 years ago, suggesting human-made construction within the period of early Neanderthals, although the function of the structures remains conjectural. Ancient ring structures built by Neanderthals Very little is known of the cultural life of Neanderthals, the extinct hominins most closely related to modern humans, and of the earliest Neanderthals we know next to nothing. Since its natural closing during the Pleistocene period and until its discovery in 1990, no humans entered Bruniquel Cave, located in southwest France. Now Jacques Jaubert and colleagues describe and date two ring-like structures made of low walls of broken stalagmite pieces, deep in Bruniquel Cave. The construction of the structures 336 metres from the cave entrance, the larger more than five metres across, speaks of human industry, and the date of around 176,000 years ago places it within the compass of early Neanderthals and among the earliest well-dated structures made by humans. Traces of burning are found associated with the stalagmites, but the function of these structures remains conjectural. Very little is known about Neanderthal cultures 1 , particularly early ones. Other than lithic implements and exceptional bone tools 2 , very few artefacts have been preserved. While those that do remain include red and black pigments 3 and burial sites 4 , these indications of modernity are extremely sparse and few have been precisely dated, thus greatly limiting our knowledge of these predecessors of modern humans 5 . Here we report the dating of annular constructions made of broken stalagmites found deep in Bruniquel Cave in southwest France. The regular geometry of the stalagmite circles, the arrangement of broken stalagmites and several traces of fire demonstrate the anthropogenic origin of these constructions. Uranium-series dating of stalagmite regrowths on the structures and on burnt bone, combined with the dating of stalagmite tips in the structures, give a reliable and replicated age of 176.5 thousand years (±2.1 thousand years), making these edifices among the oldest known well-dated constructions made by humans. Their presence at 336 metres from the entrance of the cave indicates that humans from this period had already mastered the underground environment, which can be considered a major step in human modernity.

Higher education in evolutionary anthropology involves providing students with in‐depth knowledge of biological and cultural heritage sites and collections that are frequently inaccessible. Indeed, most sites, fossils, and archaeological remains can be visited or manipulated only rarely and solely by specialists with extensive experience. Owing to the development of 3D and medical imaging techniques, this fragile heritage is now more widely accessible, and in a dynamic way. However, exclusive adoption of virtual teaching and learning has a negative impact on student engagement and, naturally, on exchanges with instructors, and thus cannot be used without some reservations. In the ITAP (Immersion dans les Terrains de l’Anthropologie biologique et de la Préhistoire) project of the higher education STEP (Soutien à la Transformation et à l’Expérimentation Pédagogiques) transformation program at the University of Bordeaux, we combine student‐active teaching with Master's students fully immersed in ongoing fieldwork, laboratory study, and dissemination of research results in order to develop more individually shaped learning curricula and to foster both professional and new interdisciplinary skills. Here, we present examples of experiments conducted in the ITAP project using both authentic and virtual collections of archaeological, experimental, and reference materials that help to break down the barriers between research activities and higher education, as well as providing a more general appraisal of the appropriate use of virtual tools in higher education by combining them with real‐life situations. The article describes examples of novel teaching methods that we have developed in our Master's program in evolutionary anthropology, where we combine student‐active teaching with Master's students fully immersed in ongoing fieldwork, laboratory study, and dissemination of research results.

In 2002, a Neandertal partial femoral diaphysis was discovered at Les Rochers-de-Villeneuve (Vienne, France). Radiocarbon dated to ≈40,70014C years before present, this specimen is one of the most recent Middle Paleolithic Neandertals. The diaphysis derives from an archeological level indicating alternating human and carnivore (mostly hyena) occupation of the cave, reinforcing the close proximity and probable competition of Middle Paleolithic humans with large carnivores for resources and space. Morphological aspects of the diaphysis and ancient DNA extracted from it indicate that it is aligned with the Neandertals and is distinct from early modern humans. However, its midshaft cortical bone distribution places it between other Middle Paleolithic Neandertals and the Châtelperronian Neandertal from La Roche-à-Pierrot, supporting a pattern of changing mobility patterns among late Middle Paleolithic Neandertals on the eve of modern human dispersals into Europe.

Le site magdalénien de Saint-Germain-la-Rivière (Gironde, France) a régulièrement été sollicité dans le cadre de plusieurs débats concernant le Paléolithique supérieur récent d'Europe de l'Ouest. L'essentiel de ces travaux s'appuient sur l'analyse, d'une part, du matériel mis au jour par R. Blanchard – notamment la célèbre sépulture – et, d'autre part, de celui provenant des fouilles plus méthodiques conduites par G. Trécolle dans le talus. À la suite de l'étude de l'ensemble des collections menée par M. Lenoir qui a permis d'attribuer les différentes occupations du gisement (talus et terrasses) aux phases inférieure et moyenne du Magdalénien, plusieurs travaux individuels ont été réalisés sur différents registres (lithique, parure, ossements). Une réévaluation collective dans un cadre stratigraphique critiqué et chronologique renouvelé s'avérait néanmoins nécessaire. Afin de préciser le processus de mise en place du Magdalénien dans sa période « classique » (phases moyenne et supérieure), des membres du projet « Magdatis » ont analysé plusieurs gisements attribués au Magdalénien moyen ancien de Gironde. La séquence des fouilles Trécolle s'est naturellement placée au cœur de nos recherches. Dans un premier temps, un retour sur les archives de terrain laissées par ce fouilleur minutieux a été nécessaire. Cette révision archéostratigraphique a conduit à répartir une large part des vestiges en deux ensembles tout en pondérant certaines interfaces problématiques. Partant de cette nouvelle proposition de découpage de la séquence, une réévaluation du matériel archéologique a été entreprise. La comparaison des industries lithiques et osseuses apporte de nouvelles données concernant la nature des comportements techniques et économiques de ces premiers moments du Magdalénien en Europe de l'Ouest. Du côté des matières premières lithiques ou osseuses, on note une certaine continuité des deux ensembles. La gestion différentielle de l'outillage domestique et de l'équipement de chasse en silex s'avère également un levier dialectique efficace pour appréhender la transformation de ces sociétés de chasseurs-cueilleurs. L'industrie osseuse montre, entre les deux ensembles, des éléments de continuité (extraction de baguettes par double rainurage) et des différences (dans l'ensemble supérieur : outillage moins diversifié, objets décorés plus fréquents). La systématisation d'une production laminaire normée dans la seconde phase s'accompagwne d'une augmentation des gabarits des pointes osseuses. La confection de morphotypes différents d'armatures lithiques (microlamelles à dos vs lamelles scalènes) et l'évolution des types de base des pointes osseuses mais aussi la présence ou non de rainures illustrent une recomposition de l'armement. La révision de la faune a également permis de préciser chacun des ensembles et, grâce à l'étude taphonomique, les tableaux de chasse respectifs. Des différences dans les stratégies de chasse des saïgas (groupes de femelles ou hardes mixtes) et leur traitement (intensité de la recherche de moelle, techniques de fracturation) sont notées. La mise en évidence d'une exploitation de gibiers de petite taille (avifaune et mésofaune) dès les premières occupations magdaléniennes vient compléter l'image de ces chasseurs d'antilopes et de rennes. Le croisement des différentes données offre l'opportunité de préciser les processus et les rythmes des changements techniques et économiques qui marquent cette période. De nouvelles datations 14C directes sur espèces ou objets particuliers permettent en outre d'éclairer sous un nouveau jour deux étapes de mise en place du Magdalénien. La séquence des fouilles Trécolle peut ainsi être replacée dans l'ensemble du site de Saint-Germain-la-Rivière et comparée à d'autres gisements contemporains d'Europe de l'Ouest. The Magdalenian site of Saint-Germain-la-Rivière (Gironde, France) has often figured in debates and discussions about the Late Upper Palaeolithic of Western Europe. Most of the discussions are based on the material excavated by R. Blanchard—in particular the now well-known burial—as well as the more rigorous excavations by G. Trécolle in the slope deposits. After the detailed study of all this material by M. Lenoir, which allowed the material from the slope and terrace deposits to be attributed to the Lower and Middle Magdalenian, many other studies were carried out by various researchers on specific aspects of the collections (lithics, personal ornaments, fauna). It became clear, however, that the stratigraphic framework and chronology of the site needed to be reexamined. In order to understand the rise of the classic Magdalenian in Gironde, members of the Magdatis project reexamined many early Middle Magdalenian sites and collections of that area. The thorough work of Trécolle at Saint-Germain-la-Rivière was pivotal to this reassessment. Initially, this involved the analysis of his fieldnotes which led to an archaeostratigraphic reattribution of most artefacts into two principal units, with a potentially problematic interface between these. Once these new archaeostratigraphic divisions had been determined, analysis of the artefacts could proceed. The comparison of the lithic and bone/antler industries with those of other sites has afforded us new insights into the nature of the types of technical and economic behaviour of this initial Magdalenian in Western Europe. In terms of lithic and osseous raw material, we have found a good degree of continuity between the two units. The differing treatment of domestic versus hunting flint tools is also an important aspect to consider in the discussion of the changes that took place in hunter-gatherer societies at this time. The bone/antler industry shows some continuity between units (for example the use of the groove and splinter technique), but also some differences (in the upper unit: less diversity in tools; a higher frequency of decorated objects). The systematization of standardized blade production in the upper unit is accompanied by an increase in size of antler points. The production of different lithic projectile morphotypes (backed microbladelets versus scalene bladelets), in parallel with a change in base types within antler points, in addition to the presence or absence of grooves, demonstrate that changes occurred in the toolkits used. A reassessment of the faunal remains also helped to clarify the practices having occurred in each of the two principal stratigraphic units; combined with a taphonomic analysis, the specific subsistence practices in each could be identified. Different hunting strategies were noticed regarding saiga antelope (hunting within female groups versus mixed herds) as well as differing carcass treatment (degree of intensity of marrow extraction, carcass processing techniques). Our analysis also revealed that small-game hunting (birds and small mammals) had already been practised in the earliest Magdalenian phases at the site, thus providing a more complete picture of these reindeer and saiga antelope hunters. Taking into account all of these data and practices allows us to be more specific about the type and pace of technical and subsistence changes having occurred during this period. New 14C dates taken directly from bones of identified species or characteristic organic artefacts also aid us in shedding new light on the two main phases of the Magdalenian. The Trécolle excavation and its collections can thus be placed within the overall Saint-Germain-la-Rivière site sequence and compared with other contemporaneous sites in Western Europe which have also benefited from a renewed stratigraphic, archaeological and chronological assessment and framework.

Résumé De nombreuses séries ostéoanthropologiques ont été fouillées et étudiées par les membres de la SARL Archéosphère, société agréée pour la réalisation de fouilles archéologiques préventives de 2005 à 2015. Nous avons engagé sur chacune d’entre elles des analyses ostéométriques plus ou moins approfondies en fonction des problématiques d’étude et de l’état de conservation des restes osseux. Une réflexion s’est alors engagée sur le choix des variables et leur mode d’acquisition sur le terrain comme en laboratoire, afin de concilier les contraintes temporelles et les problématiques de chaque site. Ainsi, les moyens techniques couramment employés (fiches de terrain et base de données) ont été revus, optimisés et testés pour s’adapter au contexte préventif tout en limitant les pertes d’informations et en facilitant le traitement des données. Le développement d’une base de données en réseau a particulièrement contribué à ces améliorations. Nous proposerons en conclusion quelques pistes de réflexion pour perfectionner et diffuser ces outils à d’autres institutions, avec pour objectif d’améliorer l’acquisition des données métriques et leur partage au sein de la communauté scientifique.