Аннотация:The hypothesis of bone being used as fuel is put forward to explain the abundance of burnt bones inside bone assemblages. This utilization is often compared with the lack of wood in the surroundings of sites. Yet, utilization of bone seems to be attested all along the Upper Palaeolithic aside ambient climatic conditions. As a matter of fact, some of the occupations are contemporaneous with temparate phases when palaeoenvironmental data show the existence of a forest environment. Therefore, it is possible to consider a well-reasoned utilization of this fuel, regardless the available ligneous biomass but deeply connected to local household activities. Only the knowledge of the combustible properties of bone may bring part of an answer about this preferential utilization as a hypothesis, according to the function of the hearth. A vast experimental programme is undertaken for this purpose. The experiments on more than 120 kg of bone were carried out along with intrinsic and extrinsic parameters which govern combustion. The results allow us to determine precisely the bone combustible properties along with their histological nature, the level of humidity and the fractures. We can also distinguish bone assemblages strictly being used as fuel from those having fortuitous combustion marks. Therefore, the properties of bone and wood can be paralleled and so it is possible to define more clearly the purpose of a preferential utilization of bone and to propose a model of fuel management appropriate to energy needs of each group.
