Shortly before the LGM − A new very late Gravettian find complex at Kammern-Grubgraben

Händel M, Buchinger N, Pasda K, Mayr C, Reiss L, Rohringer H, Sarkar H, Stojakowits P, Thomas R, Zolitschka B, Maier A, Einwögerer T (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports Elsevier

Book Volume: 74

Article Number: 105949

DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105949

Abstract

The Upper Palaeolithic open-air site Kammern-Grubgraben is well-known for its occupation sequence falling into the middle of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The main LGM occupation layer AH 2 (24–22 ka cal BP) is characterised by diverse and extensive stone constructions across several hundred square metres, a reindeer-dominated fauna, a wide variety of lithic reduction concepts, a rich osseous industry, and abundant use of a wide range of Miocene fossils as adornments among which scaphopods dominate. Recently, however, excavations conducted by the Austrian Archaeological Institute demonstrated the presence of an earlier find layer, AH 3. Hitherto, only a small area of 8 m2 has been excavated, but significant differences regarding site structure, lithic technology, faunal composition, adornments, and use of colour pigments can be observed. Stone constructions are so far missing despite the same potential accessibility of construction material as during later occupations. The lithic technology is entirely different and shows a Gravettian reduction scheme aimed at a standardised production of elongated, narrow blanks, which were partly modified to backed implements. The adornments show a preference for small fossil gastropods (turret snails), and the use of red ochre appears more abundant than in AH 2. The faunal spectrum is less focussed on reindeer, and sediment characteristics point at a different environmental setting. Radiocarbon ages of 27.5–26 ka cal BP indicate a post-GI-3 chronostratigraphic position and support our typo-technological and palaeoenvironmental assessments.

Authors with CRIS profile

Christoph Mayr Institut für Geographie Lilian Reiss Institut für Geographie

Involved external institutions

Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften AT Austria (AT) Universität Augsburg DE Germany (DE) Universität Bremen DE Germany (DE) Universität zu Köln DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Händel, M., Buchinger, N., Pasda, K., Mayr, C., Reiss, L., Rohringer, H.,... Einwögerer, T. (2026). Shortly before the LGM − A new very late Gravettian find complex at Kammern-Grubgraben. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105949

MLA:

Händel, Marc, et al. "Shortly before the LGM − A new very late Gravettian find complex at Kammern-Grubgraben." Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 74 (2026).

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