Preservation and interpretation of pollen in hyaena coprolites: taphonomic observations from Spain and southern Africa

Main articleA survey of palynological research on hyaena coprolites from 10 fossil sites in southern Africa and 4 from Spain shows that coprolites from 10 out of the 14 sites contained fossil pollen. Pollen-bearing coprolites are generally richer in pollen than the surrounding sediments. Provisionally it seems that the sites with poor or no pollen in coprolites are relatively old or have been exposed to wet and dry moisture fluctuations, namely Makapansgat, Gran Dolina, Redcliff Cave and Erfkroon. This suggests that conditions during their long histories eventually destroyed pollen through oxidation associated with regular saturation of sediments. The composition of pollen spectra and preservation of pollen grains from coprolites is compared with that in fresh hyaena dung. SEM studies suggest that pollen grains in fresh dung and in fossil coprolites if preserved under suitable cave conditions, are generally well preserved with little damage. The damage traits require further systematic investigation in order to assess their taphonomic significance but selective destruction of pollen through ingestion, if any, seems to be light. Of particular interest to palaeoenvironmental studies is the observation that pollen assemblages preserved in hyaena dung are likely to provide relatively unbiased characterizations of vegetation representative of the wide surroundings in which the hyaenas were active. This implies that where pollen was relatively wellpreserved in coprolites, it can provide palaeoenvironmental information extending beyond the immediate environs of the site in which they were found. Any possible bias introduced through behaviour-related pollen trapping is, however, difficult to exclude.National Research Foundation (GUN 2053236), projects MCyT-DGI(BTE 2000-1309), PI-17/00739/FS/01, BOS 2000-0149 and REN 2003-02499-GL

Stable isotope ecology of Cape dune mole-rats (Bathyergus suillus) from Elandsfontein, South Africa: implications for C4 vegetation and hominin paleobiology in the Cape Floral Region

The archaeological and paleontological records from the west coast of South Africa have potential to provide insights into ecosystem dynamics in the region during the mid Pleistocene. Although the fossil record suggests an ecosystem quite different than that of the region today, we understand little about the ecological factors that contributed to this disparity. The site of Elandsfontein (EFT) dates to between 1.0 and 0.6 million years ago (Ma), preserves in situ lithic and faunal materials found in direct association with each other, and provides the rare opportunity to examine the relationship between hominin behavioural variability and landscape heterogeneity in a winter rainfall ecosystem. In this study, we examine the stable carbon isotopic composition of a large sample (n = 81) of Cape dune mole-rats (Bathyergus suillus) and contemporaneous large mammals (> 6 kg; n = 194) from EFT. We find that δ13C values of B. suillus are significantly different to those of contemporaneous large mammals from EFT indicating a significant presence of plants utilizing the C4 photosynthetic pathway during the mid-Pleistocene, in contrast to present C3 dominated ecosystems along the west coast of South Africa. Additionally, we find that artifact density at EFT localities is positively correlated with δ13C values in B. suillus enamel suggesting that evidence of more intense hominin occupation may be associated with the presence of more C4 vegetation. Lastly, we hypothesize that this unique distribution of vegetation 1) provided abundant resources for both hominin and non-hominin taxa and 2) may have concentrated hominin and animal behavior in certain places on the ancient landscape

A Comment on: The Recognition and Evaluation of Homoplasy in Primate and Human Evolution. (Lockwood, C.A., and J.G. Fleagle, 1999, Yrbk Phys Anthropol 42:189–232.)

No abstract.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/34271/1/9_ftp.pd

Zooarchaeological reconstruction of newly excavated Middle Pleistocene deposits from Elandsfontein, South Africa

The current study provides the first zooarchaeological account of systematically excavated faunal material from Elandsfontein, South Africa (ca. 1.0 – 0.6 Ma). Archaeological assemblages of this age typically lack well-preserved faunal remains recovered in primary association with artifacts, and thus studies have primarily focused on lithic technology. The sizeable faunal sample from Elandsfontein, South Africa is a rare exception and has dramatically influenced the way that we interpret early hominin foraging behavior during this time. Surface collections, starting in the 1950s, recovered ~13,000 mammalian fossils and more than 160 Acheulean artifacts. The Elandsfontein faunal assemblage was interpreted as having accumulated through natural mortality and subsequent scavenging by carnivores and hominins, with hominins playing a very minimal role in carcass modification. Low frequencies of stone tool cutmarks were taken as evidence that Acheulean hominins had limited ability to obtain large carcasses. However, this interpretation contrasts with a growing body of evidence suggesting that many Acheulean hominins across sub-Saharan Africa not only had access to large mammal carcasses but were often the primary agents of accumulation and modification. The majority of the original Elandsfontein faunal material was collected from deflation surfaces and lacks sufficient contextual information. We conducted a detailed zooarchaeological analysis of faunal remains from four recent excavations within the Elandsfontein dune field. Our results differ from those based on surface collections and suggest multiple agents of bone accumulation with varying degrees of hominin and carnivore activity across the paleolandscape. Frequencies of hominininduced butchery are higher (up to 3.6% NISP) than reported for previously collected samples (<1% of limb surfaces) and demonstrate butchery of megafauna on at least two occasions. Our findings indicate that earlier zooarchaeological studies at Elandsfontein underestimate the degree of hominin contribution to the fossil assemblage and do not take into account the complicated taphonomic history across the paleolandscape. The results of this analysis are congruent with recent studies suggesting that Acheulean hominins and their Oldowan producing predecessors had regular access to large carcasses and that megafauna were an essential component of the diet for early Homo

Origine et formation des accumulations de microvertébrés de la couche 1a du site du Monte di Tuda (Corse, Holocène). contribution de l&#039;étude taphonomique des micromammifères

L\u27étude taphonomique de restes de micromammifères d\u27un échantillon de la couche 1a du site du Monte di Tuda a été effectuée suivant la méthode d\u27Andrews (1990). Le fort taux de fragmentation des éléments squelettiques a entrainé la création de nouvelles catégories de fragmentation des os longs et une étude du matériel crânien séparant les rongeurs des insectivores a mis en évidence certains aspects de leur conservation différentielle. Les pourcentages de dents digérées et leur faible degré de digestion permettent de désigner la chouette effraie (Tyto alba) comme agent de l\u27accumulation des restes sub-fossiles. L\u27observation de la surface des os au microscope électronique à balayage (M.E.B.) met en évidence différents types d\u27altérations post-dépositionnelles telles que le piétinement, la destruction par les racines, l\u27exposition aérienne, la corrosion du sol. La comparaison avec un assemblage actuel de pelotes de régurgitation de Tyto alba du même site et les données actuelles sur la Corse confirment les différences de proportions dans les assemblages fauniques de l\u27échantillon considére.The taphonomical study of a sub-fossil sample from layer 1a of the Monte di Tuda site (Holocene, Corse) has been undertaken following Andrews (1990) method. The very high fragmentation percentage of this assemblage has lead to the creation of new fragmentation categories for long bones. The skull remains of Murinae and Crocidurinae have been treated separately which gives interesting results about their differential preservation. Traces of digestion have been observed through the use of S.E.M examinations, their proportions and their weak grades correspond to category 1 of predator after Andrews (1990) and more precisely to Tyto alba. Post predation alterations are recognized (among them trampling, root marks, weathering, soil corrosion). Comparison with modern owl pellets assemblage from Monte di Tuda site and from others Corsica sites confirms the different proportions of the faunal lists of the level 1a.</p

Surface modifications of the Sima de los Huesos fossil humans

The sample of fossil human bones from the Sima de los Huesos, Atapuerca, has been analysed to trace parts of its taphonomic history. The work reported here is restricted to analysis of the skeletal elements preserved and their surface modifications. Preliminary plans of specimen distribution published 6 years ago indicate that the skeletal elements are dispersed within the cave, but more recent data are not yet available. Most of the fossils are broken, with some breakage when the bone was fresh and some when already partly mineralized, both types showing some rounding. There are few longitudinal breaks on shafts of long bones and so very few bone splinters. All skeletal elements are preserved but in unequal proportions, with elements like femora, humeri and mandibles and teeth with greater structural density being best represented. There is no evidence of weathering or of human damage such as cut marks on any of the human assemblage, but trampling damage is present on most bones. Carnivore damage is also common, with some present on more than half the sample, but it is mostly superficial, either on the surfaces of shafts and articular ends or on the edges of spiral breaks. The sizes and distribution of the carnivore pits indicate extensive canid activity, and this is interpreted as scavenging of the bones in place in the cave. Indications of tooth marks from a larger carnivore indicate the activity possibly of a large felid: the marks are too large to be produced by small canids, with the larger marks concentrated on spiral breaks on the more robust bones, and there is no evidence of bone crushing and splintering in the manner of hyaenas. The nature of the SH human assemblage is also consistent with accumulation by humans, the evidence for this being the lack of other animals, especially the lack of herbivorous animals, associated with the humans, and the high number of individuals preserved

Origine et formation des accumulations de microvert\ue9br\ue9s de la couche 1a du site du Monte di Tuda (Corse, Holoc\ue8ne). contribution de l&#039;\ue9tude taphonomique des micromammif\ue8res

Volume: 19Start Page: 129End Page: 15