Reindeer feeding ecology and hunting strategies by Magdalenians from Pincevent (Paris Basin, France): New insights from dental microwear textural analyses

International audienceIn Pincevent (Paris Basin), archeaozoologists have observed a variation of hunting strategies between Magdalenian levels IV0 and IV20. Previous works on human-prey interaction showed that hunters modelled their behaviour on their prey; therefore, reconstructing animal behaviour in order to reconstruct human strategies could enable better interpretation of these levels. This study aims to contribute to a global understanding of the variation between these level's hunting strategies using microwear texture analysis. This proxy, which can be used to reconstruct diet, will enable to detect changes in the behaviour pattern of the prey. The decision was made to focus this study on reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) as it was one of the two most exploited resources on this site, alongside horses. The enamel surface of teeth from two populations of reindeer, hunted and found in levels IV0 and IV20, showed a variation of diet between levels. Environmental and ecological matters are discussed with an aim to understanding this variation of behaviour in reindeer populations and highlight a change of strategic behaviour among hunters