Reading Prehistoric Human Tracks : : Methods and Material.

• Author: Pastoors, Andreas.
• TeilnehmendeR: Lenssen-Erz, Tilman.
• Place / Publishing House: Cham : : Springer International Publishing AG,, 2021.; ©2021.
• Year of Publication: 2021
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (437 pages)

This Open Access book explains that after long periods of prehistoric research in which the importance of the archaeological as well as the natural context of rock art has been constantly underestimated, research has now begun to take this context into focus for documentation, analysis, interpretation and understanding. Human footprints are prominent among the long-time under-researched features of the context in caves with rock art. In order to compensate for this neglect an innovative research program has been established several years ago that focuses on the merging of indigenous knowledge and western archaeological science for the benefit of both sides. The book gathers first the methodological diversity in the analysis of human tracks. Here major representatives of anthropological, statistical and traditional approaches feature the multi-layered methods available for the analysis of human tracks. Second it compiles case studies from around the globe of prehistoric human tracks. For the first time, the most important sites which have been found worldwide are published in a single publication. The third focus of this book is on firsthand experiences of researchers with indigenous tracking experts from around the globe, expounding on how archaeological sciencecan benefit from the ancestral knowledge. This book will be of interest to professional archaeologists, graduate students, ecologists, cultural anthropologists and laypeople, especially those focussing on hunting-gathering and pastoralist communities and who appreciate indigenous knowledge.

Table of Contents

Intro -- Foreword -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Contents -- Chapter 1: Introduction -- Examples of Indigenous Spoor Interpretation -- On this Book -- References -- Part I: Methodological Diversity in the Analysis of Human Tracks -- Chapter 2: Inferences from Footprints: Archaeological Best Practice -- Introduction -- Digital Capture, Documentation and Stratigraphic Context -- Analytical Tools in Ichnology -- Types of Inference from Human Footprints -- Anatomical Inferences -- Biomechanical Inferences -- Palaeobiological Inferences -- Faunal Sampling -- Problems of Co-association -- Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 3: Repetition Without Repetition: A Comparison of the Laetoli G1, Ileret, Namibian Holocene and Modern Human Footprint... -- Introduction -- Methods -- Results and Interpretations -- Discussion -- Conclusion -- Supplementary Material -- Detailed Materials and Methods -- Additional Footprint Discussion -- References -- Chapter 4: Reproduce to Understand: Experimental Approach Based on Footprints in Cussac Cave (Southwestern France) -- Introduction -- The Karst Setting -- Formation -- Preservation Context -- Cussac Cave -- Contextual Setting -- Tracks at Cussac and Taphonomy -- Materiel and Methods -- Experimental Protocol -- Descriptions, Metrics and 3D Models -- Results -- Formation Sediment and Flooding Sediment Load -- Formation Sediment -- Flooding Sediment Load -- General Morphology -- Topography -- Original Experimental Footprints -- Footprint Evolution -- Discussion -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 5: Experimental Re-creation of the Depositional Context in Which Late Pleistocene Tracks Were Found on the Pacific Coa... -- Introduction -- Methods -- Results -- Discussion and Conclusions -- References -- Chapter 6: Reading Spoor -- Introduction -- The Art of Tracking -- Methodological Aspects of Tracking.

Implications for the Archaeology of Prehistoric Human Tracks -- The Wider Potential of Tracking -- Conclusion -- References -- Part II: Case Studies from Around the Globe -- Chapter 7: Perspectives on Pliocene and Pleistocene Pedal Patterns and Protection -- Introduction -- The Tarsometatarsal Skeletons -- The Hallux -- The Lateral Metatarsophalangeal Articulations -- Lateral Proximal Phalanx Lengths and Shafts -- Proximal Pedal Phalanx Diaphyseal Hypertrophy -- Implications for Pliocene and Pleistocene Footprints -- References -- Chapter 8: Frozen in the Ashes -- Forty Years of Research at Laetoli -- The Discovery of Laetoli Site S -- Survey of Laetoli Site S: A Case Study for Photogrammetry Application in Extreme Environments -- Laetoli Site S Footprints: Results and Implications -- Laetoli Footprints: Perspectives -- References -- Chapter 9: Steps from History -- Introduction -- Background to Happisburgh -- Happisburgh Site 3 -- The Footprint Surface -- Implications of the Happisburgh Footprints -- Impact of the Happisburgh Footprints -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 10: Reconsideration of the Antiquity of the Middle Palaeolithic Footprints from Theopetra Cave (Thessaly, Greece) -- Introduction -- Historical Background -- Materials and Methods -- Chronology - Dating -- Archaeology - Lithic Artefacts -- Description of the Footprints -- Results -- Contour Analysis (3D Laser Scanner) -- Sex and Age -- Stature -- Discussion -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 11: On the Tracks of Neandertals: The Ichnological Assemblage from Le Rozel (Normandy, France) -- Introduction -- The Neandertal Footprint Record -- The Archaeological Site from Le Rozel -- Material and Methods -- Results -- Preservation and Distribution of the Tracks -- Human Footprints -- Human Handprints -- Animal Tracks -- Discussion -- References.

Chapter 12: Hominin Footprints in Caves from Romanian Carpathians -- Introduction -- Vârtop Cave (Bihor Mountains) -- Room of the Steps and the Vârtop Footprints -- Geochronology -- Ciur Izbuc Cave (Pădurea Craiului Mountains) -- References -- Chapter 13: Episodes of Magdalenian Hunter-Gatherers in the Upper Gallery of Tuc d´Audoubert (Ariège, France) -- Introduction -- Design of the Project -- Participants -- Materials -- The Volp Caves -- The Cave of Tuc d´Audoubert -- Archaeological Context -- Human Tracks -- Methods -- Results -- Galerie des Effondrements -- Galerie des Empreintes -- Western End Section -- Western Centre -- Eastern Centre -- Eastern End Section -- Galerie des Petits Pieds -- Salle des Talons -- Synopsis -- Identity of the Trackmakers -- Identified Events -- Track Details -- Spoor Type, Side and Trackways -- Carrying Additional Weight -- Body Postures and Gait -- Group Configuration -- Axis of Locomotion -- Human Interaction with Cave Bear Bones -- Superimposition of Human Tracks -- General Conditions and Reliability of Identification -- Discussion and Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 14: Following the Father Steps in the Bowels of the Earth: The Ichnological Record from the Bàsura Cave (Upper Palaeol... -- Introduction -- Human Footprints of the Bàsura Cave: Previous Studies -- Geology of the Bàsura Cave -- Ichnology of Bàsura Cave -- Footprints, Handprints, Finger and Human Body Traces -- Finger Flutings -- Clay Pits and Related Finger Traces -- Animal Traces -- Approaches and Methodologies -- High-Resolution Digital Photogrammetry -- 3D Scanning -- Morphometric Analysis -- The Archaeological Approach and New Absolute Dating -- Charcoal Remains and Insights on the Illumination of Caves -- Inferences from Human Tracks and the Reconstruction of a Scenery -- The Human Trackmaker Identikit -- The Exploration of the Cavity.

Bàsura Cave in the Regional Context -- Concluding Remarks -- References -- Chapter 15: Prehistoric Speleological Exploration in the Cave of Aldène in Cesseras (Hérault, France): Human Footprint Paths a... -- Introduction -- A Major Natural Cave for the Heritage -- Exceptional Deposit Conditions -- A Problem of Complementary Study -- The Contribution of the Traces of Torches -- Human Footprints -- The Study of the Human Footprints of the Paul Ambert Gallery -- A New Research Program -- References -- Chapter 16: The Mesolithic Footprints Retained in One Bed of the Former Saltmarshes at Formby Point, Sefton Coast, North West ... -- Introduction -- The Palaeoenvironment -- Previous Studies at Formby Point -- Footprint Formation and Preservation Process -- Blundell Path C -- The Footprints in the Bed -- Context 3, the Lowest Layer -- Context 2, the Middle Layer -- Context 1, the Top Layer -- Activity on the Mudflats -- Faunal Behaviour in the Intertidal Zone -- Humans in the Intertidal Zone -- Experience in the Intertidal Zone -- Evidence of Coastal Occupation -- Hunter-Gatherer-Foragers at Formby -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 17: Prehistoric Human Tracks in Ojo Guareña Cave System (Burgos, Spain): The Sala and Galerías de las Huellas -- Introduction -- The Site -- Access to a Complicated Sector -- Materials and Methods -- Footprint Documentation -- Footprints and Trackways -- Estimation of Height and Weight -- Chronology -- Results -- Footprints and Trackways -- Chronology -- Discussion -- Conclusion -- References -- Part III: Experiences with Indigenous Experts -- Chapter 18: Tracking with Batek Hunter-Gatherers of Malaysia -- Introduction -- Ethnographic Background -- Tracking Habitats -- Hunting, Animals, Tracks -- Encountering Forest Tracks -- Simple, Systematic, and Speculative Tracking -- Discussion -- References.

Chapter 19: Identify, Search and Monitor by Tracks: Elements of Analysis of Pastoral Know-How in Saharan-Sahelian Societies -- Introduction -- Inspect, Interpret and Follow Tracks: A Common and Essential Activity in the Sahara and Sahel -- Geographical Knowledge Relating to Sandy Soil -- A Shared but Unevenly Distributed Pastoral Know-How -- Footprint Identification Criteria -- Hodological Strategy and Temporalities of Tracks -- The Clues Associated with the Tracks -- Confirm, Secure or Subvert the Social Order -- Tracks as a Reflection of the Social Hierarchy -- How Can You Steal Without Signing Your Crime in the Sand? -- Monitor by Tracks -- The Effects of Sedentarization: Tracks in a World That Closes, Freezes and Fixes Itself -- Tracks in Hunting Practice -- The Increased Difficulties of ``Trace´´ Tracking in a Sedentary World -- References -- Chapter 20: Trackers´ Consensual Talk: Precise Data for Archaeology -- Introduction: Tracking and Talking -- Trackers´ Knowledge as Precise Data for Archaeology -- Tracking the Tracking in Caves Project -- Lesson 1 -- Lesson 2 -- Effects of Lessons -- Science and Memory -- Conclusion: Talk, Narrative, and Consensus as Data -- References -- Chapter 21: An Echo from a Footprint: A Step Too Far -- A New Footprint -- An Old Footprint -- References -- Chapter 22: Walking Together: Ways of Collaboration in Western-Indigenous Research on Footprints -- Introduction -- Western and Indigenous Knowledge Systems -- Differences and Similarities -- Relationality and Validity -- The Networked Space -- Horizontal Structures of Living and Learning -- Horizontal Structures of Power -- Implementing Ethics in Research -- Indigenous Guidelines -- Ethics Guide for Tracking Projects -- Project Preparation -- Project Implementation -- Evaluation and Completion of the Project -- The Common Language.

Indigenous Interpretation and Interview.