hosted by Otis Crandell
In this episode I talk with Vincent Lascour about the Neolithic in Corsica, and his experimental work in recreating crafts and tools from the region, in particular the work of the Chalcophore association in recreating and testing a Neolithic boat to travel between Corsica and Sardinia, a key aspect of the obsidian trade network of the period.
Listen to this episode online:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0fqrcD2QwpmdWs4yiGqXrS
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/id1530678697?i=1000553160765
Anchor: https://anchor.fm/archaeocafe/episodes/archaeocafe-e1ercjn
Some useful terminology and links
Chalcophore association
A group of researchers focussed on the reconstruction of the obsidian exchange system between Corsica and Sardinia in the Neolithic. Their research involves, among other things, building the boats necessary for the crossing, and understanding modes of navigation at sea with the means available during the Neolithic. They also aim to raise public awareness of the Chalcolithic through technical demonstrations and participatory workshops for young people.
http://chalcophore.weebly.com/
https://www.facebook.com/chalcophore/
Créarchéo
An artisanal company that creates reproductions of archaeological objects using the same materials and techniques used in the past. It was founded in March 1998 by Vincent Lascour.
https://crearcheo.weebly.com/historique.html
https://crearcheo.pagesperso-orange.fr/
Moschophoros
[in Ancient Greek: μοσχοφόρος – “calf-bearer”; in French: Moscophore, Moschophore]
An Archaic Greek statue, dated to about 560 BCE, kept at the Acropolis Museum in Athens. It represents a devotee carrying on his shoulders a young calf intended for sacrifice.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moschophoros
Pirogue
A generic term for small native boats, today particularly in regions once colonized by France and Spain, particularly dugouts made from a single log (also called a dugout, logboat and monoxylon).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirogue
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dugout_canoe
Dolerite
[AKA microgabbro, diabase]
A subvolcanic rock, medium grained, rich in magnesium and iron and completely crystalline, equivalent to volcanic basalt or plutonic gabbro.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabase
https://www.mindat.org/min-48432.html
Eclogite
a metamorphic rock
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclogite
https://www.mindat.org/min-48628.html
Calabash
A vine grown for its fruit. It can be either harvested young to be consumed as a vegetable, or harvested mature to be dried and used as a utensil, container, or a musical instrument.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calabash
Yew
Yew is a common name given to various species of coniferous trees and shrubs in the genus Taxus. Yew wood is reddish brown (with whiter sapwood), and is very springy. It was traditionally used to make bows, especially the longbow. Ötzi, the Chalcolithic mummy found in 1991 in the Italian Alps, carried an unfinished bow made of yew wood and a copper axe with a yew handle.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yew
Ash wood
Ash is a hardwood and is hard, dense, tough and very strong but elastic, extensively used for making bows, tool handles, and other uses demanding high strength and resilience.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraxinus
Chalk
A soft, white, porous, sedimentary carbonate rock. It is a form of limestone composed of the mineral calcite. Flint (a type of chert) is very commonly found as bands or nodules embedded in chalk.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalk
https://www.mindat.org/min-9073.html
Cucuruzzu
A fortified settlement in Corsica dating from the Bronze Age.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cucuruzzu
https://www.isula.corsica/patrimoine/Le-site-archeologique-de-Cucuruzzu-Capula_a12.html
Selected reading
Préhistoire interactive
by Philippe Guillonnet and Emmanuel Verton
https://vimeo.com/386036431
Vincent Lascour – association Chalcophore – débitage laminaire du silex
by De Peretti chantal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l64GwuKyE8Y
Vincent Lascour, directeur de l’association Chalcophore. Projet : La route de l’obsidienne
by De Peretti chantal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9_AbTX8xF8
About Vincent Lascour
Vincent is a craftsman specializing in the reproduction of prehistoric tools. Following 6 years working at the AFAN (National Association for Archaeological Excavations, today INRAP) and having experience at the Samara historical park, he directed his activities towards more educational and experimental aspects of archaeology through a specialization in flint knapping methods. He is a founder of the Créarchéo company and the Chalcophore association.
Web:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-lascour-17299ba3/
https://www.facebook.com/artisans.archeologie