To den or not to den. Contributions to the taphonomic history of the Early Pleistocene site of Venta Micena 4 (Orce, Guadix-Baza Basin)

Venta Micena (Orce, Guadix-Baza Basin, Spain) is an Early Pleistocene locality renowned for the richness and quality of its palaeontological record. VM is spread over an area of 2.5 km2, where several exposed fossil outcrops are visible amidst its gorges and ravines. The best known of these sites, VM3, has been interpreted as a hyaena den. In addition, a new site, named VM4, has recently been the focus of fieldwork and taphonomic studies. The publication by Luzón et al. (2021) pointed out that VM4 presents a more complex history than VM3. First, two different sub-levels were identified: VM4-I and VM4-II. Secondly, the preliminary taphonomic analysis showed conspicuous differences with regard to VM3. Nevertheless, such interpretation has been challenged by Palmqvist et al. (2022) who proposed that VM3 and VM4 are both the result of a single depositional process, entailing the selective transport of skeletal parts by the giant extinct hyaena Pachycrocuta brevirostris back to its den. Using well-preserved faunal elements whose depositional context and provenance are reliable, in this paper we show that: 1) there are two clearly defined sub-levels in VM4 with some shared taphonomic characteristics as well as some notable differences; 2) VM3 and VM4 exhibit enough divergence to support differences in site formation processes; 3) The interpretation of both VM4-I and VM4-II is more consistent with their characterisation as open-air sites in which multiple agents and depositional processes contributed to its formation, rather than with hyaena dens. Nevertheless, excavations are still in progress at VM4 and therefore any results and interpretations ought to be considered as provisional

Not seen before. Unveiling depositional context and Mammuthus meridionalis exploitation at Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, southern Iberia) through taphonomy and microstratigraphy

Meat consumption by early hominins is a hotly debated issue. A key question concerns their access to large mammal carcasses, including megafauna. Currently, the evidence of anthropic cut marks on proboscidean bones older than -or close to- 1.0 Ma are restricted to the archaeological sites of Dmanisi (Georgia), Olduvai (Tanzania), Gona (Ethiopia), Olorgesailie (Kenya) and La Boella (Spain). During an inspection of the almost complete carcass of Mammuthus meridionalis (FN3-5-MPS) from the Oldowan site of Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, Spain, c. 1.2 Ma), a few traces compatible with human-made cut marks and carnivore tooth marks were found. From this finding and previous interpretations the following questions arise: When and under what conditions was FN3-5-MPS deposited? What is the nature of the marks found on the surface of the bones of this mammoth? To answer, we have conducted a high-resolution analysis of these remains, combining both taphonomic and microstratigraphic data. Our results, using microstratigraphic and micromorphological analyses of sediments based on thin-sections, show that this individual was deposited in a marshy environment. Subsequently, the carcass was exploited by hominins and large felids that left their marks on the surface of some of its bones. For this purpose, the identification and characterisation of both cut marks and tooth marks were performed using high-resolution 3D modelling, geometric morphometrics, and artificially intelligent algorithms. Based on the anatomical position of both the cut and tooth marks, we propose that both the hominins and the saber-toothed cats had early access to the animal. Finally, this paper shows how an interdisciplinary approach can shed detailed light on the particular story regarding the death and processing of the carcass of a female mammoth, deposited at Fuente Nueva 3.This research has been carried out thanks to projects PID 2021.125098NB.I00 funding by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER Una manera de hacer Europa and ProyExcel_00274 funding by Dirección General de Planificación de la Investigación (Consejería de Universidad, Investigación e Innovación, Junta de Andalucía). In addition, this research has been supported by the following projects of the Spanish government: PID2021-122533NB-I00, PID2021-123092NB-C21, PID2022-136832NB-I00. We also acknowledge the support provided by the PALARQ Foundation through the project Ref: PR2004_19/01

Not seen before. Unveiling depositional context and Mammuthus meridionalis exploitation at Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, southern Iberia) through taphonomy and microstratigraphy

Meat consumption by early hominins is a hotly debated issue. A key question concerns their access to large mammal carcasses, including megafauna. Currently, the evidence of anthropic cut marks on proboscidean bones older than -or close to- 1.0 Ma are restricted to the archaeological sites of Dmanisi (Georgia), Olduvai (Tanzania), Gona (Ethiopia), Olorgesailie (Kenya) and La Boella (Spain). During an inspection of the almost complete carcass of Mammuthus meridionalis (FN3-5-MPS) from the Oldowan site of Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, Spain, c. 1.2 Ma), a few traces compatible with human-made cut marks and carnivore tooth marks were found. From this finding and previous interpretations the following questions arise: When and under what conditions was FN3-5-MPS deposited? What is the nature of the marks found on the surface of the bones of this mammoth? To answer, we have conducted a high-resolution analysis of these remains, combining both taphonomic and microstratigraphic data. Our results, using microstratigraphic and micromorphological analyses of sediments based on thin-sections, show that this individual was deposited in a marshy environment. Subsequently, the carcass was exploited by hominins and large felids that left their marks on the surface of some of its bones. For this purpose, the identification and characterisation of both cut marks and tooth marks were performed using high-resolution 3D modelling, geometric morphometrics, and artificially intelligent algorithms. Based on the anatomical position of both the cut and tooth marks, we propose that both the hominins and the saber-toothed cats had early access to the animal. Finally, this paper shows how an interdisciplinary approach can shed detailed light on the particular story regarding the death and processing of the carcass of a female mammoth, deposited at Fuente Nueva 3.Research at Fuente Nueva 3 is currently possible thanks to the support and approval of the Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte (Junta de Andalucía, Spain) through the General Research Project (2023–2026) Evolución humana y paleoecología a partir de los yacimientos pleistocenos de la Zona Arqueológica ‘Cuenca de Orce’. Retos y desafíos (Ref: SIDPH/DI/MCM). This research has been carried out thanks to projects PID 2021.125098NB.I00 funding by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ FEDER Una manera de hacer Europa and ProyExcel_00274 funding by Dirección General de Planificación de la Investigación (Consejería de Universidad, Investigación e Innovación, Junta de Andalucía). In addition, this research has been supported by the following projects of the Spanish government: PID2021-122533NB-I00, PID2021-123092NBC21, PID2022-136832NB-I00. We also acknowledge the support provided by the PALARQ Foundation through the project Ref: PR2004_19/01. The research of C.S-B., D.B., P-P., S.T., J.A., and H.-A.B. is funded by the CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya. A.F.M. was supported by an APOST postdoctoral grant (APOST/2021/110, Generalitat Valenciana) cofinanced by the European Social Fund, and is currently supported by a Margarita Salas contract from the Ayudas para la recualificación del sistema universitario español (MS21-048), Ministerio de Universidades del Gobierno de España, financed by the European Union-NextGenerationEU. S.T. is supported by a Margarita Salas employment contract for access to the Spanish System of Science, Technology, and Innovation at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (2021URV-MS-03) funded by the European Union-NextGenerationEU, the Ministry of Universities and the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. P.P. is supported by a Juan de la Cierva - Incorporación contract (grant IJC2020-044108-I) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and “European Union-NextGenerationEU/PRTR”. Similiarly, we also have to acknowledge the financial support provided by the PALARQ Foundation, funded through the project titled “Dilucidando la acción de los carnívoros en los yacimientos del Pleistoceno Inferior Ibérico del Pontón de la Oliva (Madrid) y de Fuente Nueva 3 y de Venta Micena 3 y 4 (Granada). Ref: PR2004_19/01”. The work of J.S. was funded by the Academy of Finland during this work (AoF. project nr. 340775/346292, NEPA - Non-analogue ecosystems in the past)

Monitorización de una excavación arqueológica usando fotogrametría y modelos digitales del terreno (MTD). El caso de estudio de Barranco León , Orce (Granada, España)

In this paper, we describe and discuss emergent digital technologies employed for monitoring the excavations at the archaeological site of Barranco León (Granada, Spain) between 2017 and 2020. The method entails the following material requirements: a total station, a conventional camera, a computer and a software that integrates photogrammetry algorithms; in terms of human resources, the presence of an engineer for the first day of the excavation to set up the methodological process and trained excavation staff to perform said method on a daily basis is necessary. Here we present the daily workflow for monitoring archaeological excavations introduced at the site, followed by an estimation of the costs and a summary of the results obtained. The method introduced here is based on the height difference of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) computed on successive days using photogrammetric techniques. It is a non-invasive method, which requires less than 8% of the economic resources of the excavation and can be carried out in less than 15 minutes. This allows the excavation director to have an accurate and visual idea of the excavation process in order to make appropriate decisions. In addition, from the results obtained in the method (differences in DEM of every two days), other derived results can be obtained such as the exact location of the archaeological remains extracted based on their size. These features highlight the relevance and applicability of this approach to a wide range of archaeological sites.En este artículo, describimos y discutimos las tecnologías digitales emergentes utilizadas para la monitorización de las excavaciones del yacimiento arqueológico de Barranco León (Granada, España) entre las campañas de 2017 y 2020. El método implica el uso de los siguientes recursos materiales: una estación total, una cámara de fotos convencional, un ordenador y un programa que integre algoritmos de fotogrametría; referente a los recursos humanos, es necesaria la presencia de un ingeniero durante el primer día de la excavación para establecer el proceso metodológico y un excavador entrenado para llevar a cabo dicho método diariamente. Aquí, presentamos un flujo de trabajo diario para la monitorización de la excavación de un yacimiento arqueológico, seguido de una estimación de los costos y un resumen de los resultados obtenidos. El método presentado se basa en la diferencia de altura de los modelos digitales del terreno (MDT) calculados en sucesivos días utilizando técnicas fotogramétricas. Es un método no invasivo, que requiere menos del 8% del coste total de la excavación y se puede llevar a cabo en menos de 15 minutos. Esto permite que el director de la excavación tenga una visión precisa y una idea visual del proceso de excavación para tomar las decisiones adecuadas. Además, a partir de los resultados obtenidos en el método (diferencias en MDT de cada dos días), se pueden obtener otros resultados derivados como la ubicación exacta de los restos arqueológicos extraídos en función de su tamaño.Conserjería de Cultura, Junta de Andalucía A-HUM-016-UGR1

Not seen before. Unveiling depositional context and Mammuthus meridionalis exploitation at Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, southern Iberia) through taphonomy and microstratigraphy

Meat consumption by early hominins is a hotly debated issue. A key question concerns their access to large mammal carcasses, including megafauna. Currently, the evidence of anthropic cut marks on proboscidean bones older than -or close to- 1.0 Ma are restricted to the archaeological sites of Dmanisi (Georgia), Olduvai (Tanzania), Gona (Ethiopia), Olorgesailie (Kenya) and La Boella (Spain). During an inspection of the almost complete carcass of Mammuthus meridionalis (FN3-5-MPS) from the Oldowan site of Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, Spain, c. 1.2 Ma), a few traces compatible with human-made cut marks and carnivore tooth marks were found. From this finding and previous interpretations the following questions arise: When and under what conditions was FN3-5-MPS deposited? What is the nature of the marks found on the surface of the bones of this mammoth? To answer, we have conducted a high-resolution analysis of these remains, combining both taphonomic and microstratigraphic data. Our results, using microstratigraphic and micromorphological analyses of sediments based on thin-sections, show that this individual was deposited in a marshy environment. Subsequently, the carcass was exploited by hominins and large felids that left their marks on the surface of some of its bones. For this purpose, the identification and characterisation of both cut marks and tooth marks were performed using high-resolution 3D modelling, geometric morphometrics, and artificially intelligent algorithms. Based on the anatomical position of both the cut and tooth marks, we propose that both the hominins and the saber-toothed cats had early access to the animal. Finally, this paper shows how an interdisciplinary approach can shed detailed light on the particular story regarding the death and processing of the carcass of a female mammoth, deposited at Fuente Nueva 3

Los yacimientos arqueopaleontológicos de la zona de Orce (cuenca de Guadix-Baza, Granada, España): historia y presente

This work summarizes the research carried out at the Orce archaeopalaeontological sites over the last few decades with particular emphasis on the results obtained from the latest field seasons (2017-2020), which were carried out under the auspices of the General Research Project «First Human Occupations and Palaeoecological Context from the Pliopleistocene Deposits in the Guadix-Baza Basin. Archaeological Zone of the Orce Basin». The work carried out in recent years is a good example of the inter- and intradisciplinary approach in Prehistoric research and also shows that, although much work has been carried out at the Orce sites for almost 50 years, they continue to provide very interesting data for understanding the human European population in the oldest periods of the Pleistocene.En este trabajo se resumen los estudios llevados a cabo en los distintos yacimientos arqueopaleontológicos de Orce durante las últimas décadas, haciendo especial hincapié en los resultados obtenidos a raíz de las últimas campañas de excavación (2017-2020), enmarcadas en el Proyecto General de Investigación «Primeras ocupaciones humanas y contexto paleoecológico a partir de los depósitos Pliopleistocenos de la cuenca Guadix-Baza. Zona Arqueológica de la cuenca de Orce». Los trabajos realizados en estos últimos años son una buena muestra del enfoque inter e intradisciplinar de la Prehistoria, y evidencian además que, aunque se lleve trabajando en los yacimientos de Orce casi 50 años, estos siguen proporcionando datos muy interesantes acerca del contexto del poblamiento humano de Europa en las etapas más antiguas del Pleistoceno