Papers by Jean-Michel Chazine
Logiciel d'Identification sexuelle des empreintes de mains négatives appliqué à une grotte d... more Logiciel d'Identification sexuelle des empreintes de mains négatives appliqué à une grotte de Bornéo.
Quaternary International, 2015
This study is the first in-depth archaeological examination of a pottery assemblage found in the ... more This study is the first in-depth archaeological examination of a pottery assemblage found in the Indonesian part of Borneo Island. It aims to balance the regional knowledge of this large island, since the majority of information comes from sites located in the Malaysian northern part. Excavations in the Liang Abu rock shelter (East Kalimantan) led to the discovery and analysis of 1104 potsherds. The discussion on the upper part of the stratigraphy is based on the refitting relations between sherds. We propose some methodological improvements on the refitting analysis, based on the use of graph theory. The main ceramic layer is radiocarbon dated to 1672 ± 21 BP and 1524 ± 22 BP. Results from the petrographic analyses carried out on six sherds are presented and give a reference for future comparative investigations. Vessel morphology and stylistic features are presented, including those of red-slipped, cord-marked and incised pottery sherds. These results are discussed within the context of the settlement history in the Eastern part of Borneo and issues specific to archaeological investigations in tropical regions.
Archaeological research in the Liang Abu rock shelter (East Kalimantan) led to the discovery and ... more Archaeological research in the Liang Abu rock shelter (East Kalimantan) led to the discovery and analysis of a pottery assemblage including red-slipped, cord-marked and incised pottery sherds, radiocarbon dated to 1672 ± 21 BP and 1524 ± 22 BP. In order to discuss our findings we undertake a reappraisal of the pottery material and associated radiocarbon dates from archaeological sites on Borneo Island, which provide us with an appropriate framework for a comparative analysis. This allows us to to include the inland region of Kalimantan in the technological network of Neolithic Island South East Asia.
Sur la paroi d'une grotte, dans une forêt de l'est de Bornéo, des peintures au pochoir de mains e... more Sur la paroi d'une grotte, dans une forêt de l'est de Bornéo, des peintures au pochoir de mains et de mystérieux symboles forment les branches d'un « arbre de vie ». Une équipe franco-indonésienne a découvert des centaines de ces peintures dans une trentaine de cavités. Datant de plus de 10 000 ans, les plus anciennes de ces oeuvres ont peut-être un lien avec l'art préhistorique des Aborigènes d'Australie, lors de leurs migrations anciennes.
Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology, 2014
Techniques & culture, 1986
Journal de la société des océanistes, 2002
De la théorie aux pratiques culturales sur les atolls... par Jean-Michel CHAZINE * RÉSUMÉ L'obser... more De la théorie aux pratiques culturales sur les atolls... par Jean-Michel CHAZINE * RÉSUMÉ L'observation des fosses de culture sur les atolls des Tuamotu, puis les recherches sur leur mode de fonctionnement avaient conduit l'auteur à rencontrer Jacques Barrau et à en retrouver des analogies archéologiques. Des investigations et expérimentations ethno-archéologiques vont montrer que de la Micronésie aux Tuamotu de l'Est, ces techniques avaient été élaborées de la même manière, même si leur persistance n'a pas été la même. Les réflexions pionnières de Jacques Barrau ont ainsi été corroborées quelques décennies plus tard. M- : Atolls, Pacifique, horticulture, ethnoarchéologie, fosses de culture, taro.
L'Archipel des Tuamotu fait l'objet depuis ces dernières années d'importantes rech... more L'Archipel des Tuamotu fait l'objet depuis ces dernières années d'importantes recherches ethno-archéologiques. Face à un environnement et des sols spécifiques, les insulaires ont développé dans le temps et l'espace, des techniques de production vivrières particulières, par ...
Quaternary Research, 2003
We present the first application of cross-dating (Th/U measured by thermo-ionization mass spectro... more We present the first application of cross-dating (Th/U measured by thermo-ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) and 14 C measured by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS)) of calcite covering prehistoric paintings. Th/U age estimates of cave drapery range from 9800 to 27,300 yr B.P. while conventional 14 C age is estimated between 9900 and 7610 yr B.P. depending on the dead carbon correction. The age discrepancy is attributed to a disturbance of Th/U and/or 14 C geochemical systems, showing the limits of the geochronological approach applied to this kind of material. For the Th/U system, the poor consistency of U data (U content, 234 U/ 238 U activity ratios) and apparent ages argue for open system conditions. For 14 C system, variation of the dead carbon fraction (dcf) and a possible mixing of successive generations of calcite could account for age discrepancy. Nevertheless, one sample shows concordant ages for the two methods. Compatible ages through corrections for open system conditions are assumed for other samples. Then, the cross-dating suggests 9900 yr as the minimum age of the piece of drapery; the underlying painting must be older. This study of rock art demonstrates the presence of a Pleistocene population before 9900 yr in the southeast of Borneo, whereas previously the only population in evidence in this area was of Austronesian type from ϳ5000 to 6000 yrs ago.
Anthropologie, 2000
éds. IRD Montpellier (2005/2006
Since 1992, thanks to the exceptional interest generated by caving teams crossing Kalimantan from... more Since 1992, thanks to the exceptional interest generated by caving teams crossing Kalimantan from west to east in 1988, a large quantity of archaeological discoveries has been revealed. A Franco-Indonesian team has surveyed caves and rockshelters in East Kalimantan to shed some light on an archaeologically unknown territory. Altogether, more than 100 caves have been visited and checked, of which over 30 contain undoubtable rock paintings. These sites are located in two main karstic areas located north of Sangkulirang and northwest of Sangatta, inland from the Mangkalihat Peninsula of Kalimantan Timur.
Although a small number of articles or notices had mentioned the presence of some Rock art scatte... more Although a small number of articles or notices had mentioned the presence of some Rock art scattered in a few islands of Indonesia, no real detailed study had been carried on concerning that discipline. Distance had been a determining factor, but interest itself towards the past of supposed unchanging «primitive» cultures, was not much developed. It had nevertheless been admitted that some rock art could be found in eastern Indonesia, largely, if not completely inspired by a late Austronesian or possibly Australian Aborigines cultures and influences. On the northern island of Borneo, a few paintings had been checked in some caves on the Malaysian provinces of Sarawak and Sabah, presenting some links with recent or even modern periods. They had thus been classified as rather recent, i.e. 2.000 to 200 y. B.P. The recent and unexpected discovery in East Kalimantan of paintings of «archaic» features, especially negative hand stencils, has changed that opinion and let develop a new interest towards regional rock art. This late presents such specificities that some clues or hypothesis may be deduced and generalised to the understanding of some Rock art functions and practices. Linked to surveys and recordings of that rock art, archaeological excavations provide occupations and activities remains related to Pleistocene periods (more than 10.000 y. BP). Therefore, added to the late surveys managed by UNESCO in West Papua and Timor in the far East, these discoveries would confirm the real importance for Indonesia to enhance researches and protection actions to ensure the conservation of that important patrimony.
Although a small number of articles or notices had mentioned the presence of some Rock art scatte... more Although a small number of articles or notices had mentioned the presence of some Rock art scattered in a few islands of Indonesia, no real detailed study had been carried on concerning that discipline. Distance had been a determining factor, but interest itself towards the past of supposed unchanging «primitive» cultures, was not much developed. It had nevertheless been admitted that some rock art could be found in eastern Indonesia, largely, if not completely inspired by a late Austronesian or possibly Australian Aborigines cultures and influences. On the northern island of Borneo, a few paintings had been checked in some caves on the Malaysian provinces of Sarawak and Sabah, presenting some links with recent or even modern periods. They had thus been classified as rather recent, i.e. 2.000 to 200 y. B.P. The recent and unexpected discovery in East Kalimantan of paintings of «archaic» features, especially negative hand stencils, has changed that opinion and let develop a new interest towards regional rock art. This late presents such specificities that some clues or hypothesis may be deduced and generalised to the understanding of some Rock art functions and practices. Linked to surveys and recordings of that rock art, archaeological excavations provide occupations and activities remains related to Pleistocene periods (more than 10.000 y. BP). Therefore, added to the late surveys managed by UNESCO in West Papua and Timor in the far East, these discoveries would confirm the real importance for Indonesia to enhance researches and protection actions to ensure the conservation of that important patrimony.
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Papers by Jean-Michel Chazine