Eine Schwefelkiesknolle aus dem Aurignacien vom Vogelherd, Baden-Württemberg. Zu den Anfängen der Feuererzeugung im europäischen Paläolithikum

Abstract

Finds from prehistoric European Sites show that fire was exclusively produced on the basis of the percussion principle using sulphuric iron. Traditionally a nodule of sulphuric iron from the Magdalenian of Trau de Chaleux in Belgium is considered to be the oldest unambigous find. In 1934 a nodule of sulphuric iron from the Aurignacian of the Vogelherd cave with definite traces of use wear was published
by G. Riek. Though this find is mentioned in the literature relevant to the subject, it is described to lack traces of use. For the first time the piece is described here in detail, and its importance as the oldest known percussion lighter to date for the history of intentional firemaking in European Prehistory is outlined. Additionally, the most important finds of sulphuric iron are presented, among them one example which was hardly observed by science.