DISCOVERY OF A LITHIC INDUSTRY IN THE BOU RBONNAIS SANDS AND CLAYS FORMATION (SOUTHERN PARIS BASIN, UPPER PLIOCENE)

The Bourbonnais Formation, consisting of detrital materials from the M assif Central, is divided into three parts. They have been dated by mi neralogical and palynological methods: the Upper Sands (1-2.3 Ma), the Black Clays (2.3-2.5 Ma) and the Lower Sands (2.4-2.5 Ma, End Reuveri an). A lithic industry has been discovered in sand-pits near Nevers in the uppermost part of the Lower Sands. They are flakes and denticulat ed choppers that have a black or brown patina. No industry of comparab le age has hitherto been found in Europe in beds which can clearly be dated stratigraphically to between 2.5 and 2.4 Ma.