Anthropolo gica et Pr ehistorica, 112, 2007, n-89 6 The Middle and Late Neolithic Le N6olithique moyen et rdcent Nicolas CauwE, Marc VaNpEn LINDEN and Bart VaNvtoNTFoRT Abstract The documentation available for the post-Danubian Neolithic presents contrasted characteristics according to the addressed periods. The Middle Neolithic is known for its vast mining complexes, enclosed sites, abundant surface material and some graves in rock shelter. From the beginning of the third millennium 8.C., collective tombs in cave become widespread throughout the Meuse basin and constitute, with about 10 megalithic monuments, the sole testimonies of the intense occupation of the Seine-Oise-Marne culture in Belgium. The Final Neolithic is only illustrated by a few sporadic finds. The data allow, however, to deal with questions as crucial as the interactions that were at the origins of these cultural phenomena. The Belgian group of the Michelsberg culture would be related to its developments in northern France, but with marked Chassean and Rhenan influences throughout its expansion in Middle Belgium and in the sandy regions. The Seine-Oise-Marne culture seems related of the Parisian basin in the first place, but the influences of the Wartberg culture must not be underestimated. Finally, the Final Neolithic belongs as much to the Seine-Oise-Marne and Artenac traditions (De0le-Escaut group) as to more eastern cultural groupings (Bell Beaker phenomenon). R6sum6 La documentation relatiue au Niolithique post danubien ofre des caractires contrastis selon lespiriodes auxquelles on s'adresse.Le Niolithique ,noven est surtout conrTuau trAuersde ztastescomplexes miniers, des sitesenceints de palissadesetlou de fossis, un abondant nmteriel de sur.faceet quelquessipultures en grotte. Dis Ie dibut du 3' millhnire, Ies sipultures collectiztesen grotte se rencontrent par cerrtahrcsdarts le bassirtmosan,.formant, auec une dizaine de monuments migalithiques, les seulstimoignages de I'intense occupation de ln ciz,ilisation de Seine-C)ise-Marneen Belgique. Enfin, le Niolithique final n'est illustri que par quelques trouztailles sporadiques. L'ertsemblede cesdonnies permettent cependantd'aborder des questions aussicruciales que lesinteractions qui prdludirent d I'installation de ces courants culturels. Le groupe belge de la ciuilisation de Michelsberg serait tributaire des diueloppements de ce taxon dans lc rnrd de Ia France, marqud cependant par des influences chassdenneset rhinanes Au cours de son d'lploiement d trauers la Moyenne Belgique et les rigiotts sableuses.Le Seine-Oise-Marne sembleauant tout ddpendant du Bassinparisien, mais les influences de la culture de Wartberg ne sont pas d nigliger. Enfin,Ie N1olithique final ressortit tant|t aux traditions Seine-Oise-Marne et artenacienne (groupe de Defile-Escaut), tantit d des courants culturels plus orientaux (ciuilisation campanifurme). 1. Mrpprn NEorrrHrc In the past few years numerous excavations have yielded additional information to this de- The Middle Neolithic in Belgium is still often bate. Although most studies are still in process, considered as consisting of two distinct cultural a first review of the sifuation can be presented. groups, i.e. the one responsible for the flint Chronologically, the systematic anteriority of extraction sites and the other responsible for the first mining exploitations on the arrival of the Michelsberg culture pottery. This apparent the Michelsberg culture is no longer evident. dichotomy is partly based on the differences Moreover, recent studies focussed on Middle in lithic technology and the fact that the Neolithic economic practices, while the settle- chronological and geographical distribution of ment system remains poorly known. Finally, the Neolithic mining phenomenon only partly several cave tombs were recently discovered, matchesthat of the Belgian Michelsberg culture. shedding new light on the funeral practices of Moreover, the dichotomy is based on the the period. explanatory models of the emergenceof a new Neolithic way of life, not directly related to the former Danubian traditions. On the territory 1.1. Origin of the Belgian group of the Michels- of present day Belgium there is a chronological berg culture gap of at least four cenfuries between the last In his 7g8zsynthesis[6.561, Sigfried I.D" Laet dates of the Early Neolithic and the first of the estimated that the first industrial flint exploi Michelsbergculture sites. tations were connected to the acculturation of 78 Nicolas CAUWE, Marc VeNOEn LtNpEN and Bart VaNVOITITFORT the autochthonous Mesolithic people by Rossen regions (Lorraine and jura), where similar fu- groups, settled for a while in Belgian and neral practices are documented, while these are Dutch Limburg. The success of flint work totally absent east of the Rhine. would have attracted grouPs of the Michelsberg The adoption of this general framework culture that originated from the Rhenan basin. evidently urges us to re-evaluate the relation This hypothesis must be questioned, since our between the Belgian Michelsberg culture and archaeological record is still characterised by the flint mining sites. A supposed anteriority the virtual absenceof the Rossenculfure. Proof of the first mines to the appearanceof the first of Epirossen presence is also very scarce and Michelsberg pottery in Belgium is not confirmed 14C restricted to a few stone artefacts (seevan Berg by recent dates. The sites of Spiere-de & Hauzeur, this volume) and the unique and Hel, Schorisse-Bosstraat 16.174land Kemmelberg still largely enigmatic site at Givry-Bosse de [6.160], for instance, are contemPorary with I'Tombe.Hence, no element of the late Danubian the oldest dates obtained for the Spieruresflint groups correspond to the geographical distri- mines [6.38;6.911. Moreover, we might consider bution of the flint mines, nucleated around the long stresseddifferences in material culture as a functional distinction. A mine is not a Mons (Spiennes) [5.84; 6.9'l';6.961, in Hesbaye settlement and a difference in tools used should (fandrain, Otp) [5.84 and north of Lidge (Voe- therefore not surprise us. ren, Rijckholt-Sint-Geertruid) [6.1a; 6.M; 6.76; 6.561. Additionally, the hypothesis of a direct relation between the Belgian and the Rhenan 1..2.Settlement patterns and brief halts Michelsberg cultures has to deal with several Although numerous (recent) discoveries in- chrono-typological difficulties. The seriation of dicated Middle Neolithic domestic Presence, Liining, established on Rhenan pottery fens no clear settlement pattern could be defined. can only with the utmost caution be t6.1191 The Belgian Michelsberg culture has settled in applied to the Belgian finds 16.1731. quite diverse geographical positions, varying More recently, Christian Jeunessehas pro- from alluvial plains, Pleistocene terraces and posed a northern French origin for the Bel- plateaus, to the caves in Southem Belgium. gian Michelsberg group [6.105]. It would have Moreover, the remains the occupations left are entered the present duy Belgian territory in quite diverse as well. Severalsites were enclosed Western Hainaut and Southwestem Flanders, by palisade and/or ditches. The enclosed area coming from the east, via the Epiroessennorth varies from a few to about 30 ha, and yielded of the Parisbasin (Stylede Menneaille). The oldest very few remains of domestic life. Someof these Middle Neolithic sites of Belgium are indeed constructions, e.g. those at Blicquy-Couture du located in its Southwestern part (Le Gu6 du Couaent16.42; 6.43; 6.651,Enines at Orp-fauche Plantin at Neufvilles, Thieusies-Fermede I'Host6, 16.17-201or Thieusies 16.1771,have been exten- Kemmelberg, Schorisse-Bosstraafand Spiere-de sively excavated. From the point of view of its HeI) [6.52; 6.L76; 6.177; 6.120; 6.L60; 6.1741.In shape and entrance device, each enclosure is a general, Pierre M. Vermeersch puts forward a particular case; the sole Permanent feature is similar hypothesis [6.172;6.1731, while insisting the opportunism to use the local topography on the Rhenan and Chassean influences that to enclose vast surfaces by easy means. The have been superPosed afterwards on the Bel- function of these constructions remains difficult gian groupr mostly during its expansion to the to determinate. Some elements,like the chicane sandy regions of northem Belgium. Additional entrance of the enclosure at Blicquy-Couturedu arguments in favour of such a South to North Couaentand the topographical location of sites expansion, as opposed to the previously sup- as Thieusies,indicate a defensive configuration. posed East to West, can be found in the analyses On the other hand no elements allow to affirm of pottery technology (i.". tempering agents) a univocal function of the constructions that and the lithic typology. Concerning the latter, very probably also served as gathering places, we mention the tranchet or flake axe, absent in occasionalrefuges or as kraals. the Rhenan assemblagesbut represented in the The remains of dwelling structures are Cemy culture. The recent discovery of collective limited to few postholes of which repartition graves in cave in the Meuse basin 16.149;6.32; is difficult to assess. In Thieusies, a cluster of ffin also confirms marked links with southerly postholes can be interpreted as a sort of small The Middle and Late Neolithic Le N1olithiquemoyen et rdcent 79 Site Description of the site Date B.P. Date B.C. cal. (1o') Laboratoryref. Ittre, Mont-A-Henry Settlement with characteristic artefacts 5,950r 150 5,0504620