Homo erectus palaeoecology in Java: A study of cervid post-cranial ecomorphology

This dissertation reports on the palaeoenvironmental reconstructions of several Pleistocene sites from Java (mainly Trinil, Kedung Brubus and Sangiran), based on newly developed ecomorphological methods for the cervid calcaneus and intermediate phalanx. Using a geometric morphometrics approach, 3D-landmark data were collected on extant cervids of known habitat preference, to establish correlations between morphological traits, locomotor behaviour and environmental parameters. These models were then applied to deer fossils from the selected sites to assess past vegetation structure and substrate type. This study extends the suite of ecomorphological methods available for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. The morphology of the calcaneus and intermediate phalanx were found to vary with locomotor strategy and habitat along a continuum from open habitats with dry substrate to closed habitats with wet substrate. Furthermore, this dissertation contributes to our understanding of the understudied Pleistocene environments of Java. The results of Trinil confirmed interpretations of an open woodland, but suggested a relatively wet substrate. The results of Kedung Brubus and its associated fauna indicated open, but drier conditions and presumably coincided with a glacial stage when Java was connected to the Asian mainland, allowing increased biotic interchange with the continent. The material from Sangiran suggested open conditions, and either dry or wet substrates, possibly reflecting the mixed nature of the assemblage. The early dispersal of Homo erectus, considered the first hominin to have expanded its biogeographic range over large parts of the Old World, is generally hypothesized to have been more driven by either extrinsic (e.g. the expansion of open environments) or intrinsic factors (e.g. the increased capacity of H. erectus to adapt to variable conditions). The reported palaeoenvironmental reconstructions provide an estimate of the extent to which this species depended on a specific type of environment. The results do not contradict a scenario where Homo erectus was restricted to more open environments for its survival and dispersal. A significant degree of environmental flexibility can, nevertheless, be extrapolated from its presence in dry and wet conditions, and in areas with different vegetation structures ranging from grassland to open woodland

The large vertebrate remains from Binjai Tamieng (Sumatra, Indonesia)

Excavations in 1928 at the Binjai Tamieng shell midden in Northeast Sumatra brought to light a small assemblage of animal- and human remains that has never been studied in detail. The analysis of these Early Holocene finds suggests that besides mollusks and fish, a number of larger vertebrates played a role in the palaeoeconomy of the site. The composition of Binjai Tamieng has a somewhat similar signature to sites from Southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia. Testudine and artiodactyl remains are predominant in the vertebrate assemblage, while other species such as crocodile and a small cetacean were probably opportunistically hunted or scavenged. Animal bone was probably also used for the manufacturing of tools. Javan- and possibly Sumatran rhinoceros are present on the site. A number of human remains show traces of disarticulation and may be indicative of complex funerary rituals or cannibalism

Diversity, population structure and palaeoecology of the Pleistocene large cervids from the Padang Highlands, Sumatra

This chapter deals with the dentognathic remains of the Late Pleistocene large cervids from the Padang Highlands caves in Sumatra. We used linear and geometric morphometric techniques to investigate variation, taxonomic position and body size trends in a dataset of upper and lower molars. Dental mesowear was used to assess dietary preference in a subsample. The results suggest the Padang Highlands cervids belonged to multiple populations of an early stock of Rusa deer the size of sambar (Rusa unicolor), but morphologically reminiscent of Javan rusa (Rusa timorensis). The Rusa sp. of Sumatra was reconstructed as a mixed feeder with an increase in the grazing component with age

The earliest evidence for Upper Paleolithic occupation in the Armenian Highlands at Aghitu-3 Cave

With its well-preserved archaeological and environmental records, Aghitu-3 Cave permits us to examine the settlement patterns of the Upper Paleolithic (UP) people who inhabited the Armenian Highlands. We also test whether settlement of the region between ∼39–24,000 cal BP relates to environmental variability. The earliest evidence occurs in archaeological horizon (AH) VII from ∼39–36,000 cal BP during a mild, moist climatic phase. AH VI shows periodic occupation as warm, humid conditions prevailed from ∼36–32,000 cal BP. As the climate becomes cooler and drier at ∼32– 29,000 cal BP (AH V-IV), evidence for occupation is minimal. However, as cooling continues, the deposits of AH III demonstrate that people used the site more intensively from ∼29–24,000 cal BP, leaving behind numerous stone artifacts, faunal remains, and complex combustion features. Despite the climatic fluctuations seen across this 15,000-year sequence, lithic technology remains attuned to one pattern: unidirectional reduction of small cores geared towards the production of bladelets for tool manufacture. Subsistence patterns also remain stable, focused on medium-sized prey such as ovids and caprids, as well as equids. AH III demonstrates an expansion of social networks to the northwest and southwest, as the transport distance of obsidian used to make stone artifacts increases. We also observe the addition of bone tools, including an eyed needle, and shell beads brought from the east, suggesting that these people manufactured complex clothing and wore ornaments. Remains of micromammals, birds, charcoal, pollen, and tephra relate the story of environmental variability. We hypothesize that UP behavior was linked to shifts in demographic pressures and climatic changes. Thus, by combining archaeological and environmental data, we gain a clearer picture about the first UP inhabitants of the Armenian Highlands

Preliminary archaeozoological report on sectors B6 and B6d in the sanctuary area (Pessinus, Ballıhisar, Turkey)

Gruwier Ben, Verlinde Angelo. Preliminary Archaeozoological Report on Sectors B6 and B6D in the Sanctuary Area (Pessinus, Ballıhisar, Turkey). In: Anatolia Antiqua, Tome 18, 2010. pp. 157-162

Ecomorphology of the cervid intermediate phalanx and its implications for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction

This paper reports on newly developed ecomorphological models for the cervid intermediate phalanx. Using a geometric morphometric approach, we quantitatively assess the overall gracility of the bone, the depth and concavity of the proximal articulation and the roundness and symmetry of the distal articulation in the intermediate phalanx, to establish relationships between morphology, locomotor behavior and environment. The morphology of the phalanx was found to vary along a gradient from gracile phalanges with shallow proximal articulations in forms adapted to yielding substrate, to robust phalanges with deeper proximal articulations in taxa adapted to firm substrate. Phylogeny and allometry are accounted for using regressions and phylogenetic comparative methods. Although the results indicate phylogeny explains part of the morphological variation, overall the shape of the intermediate phalanx appears mainly driven by differences in function. Consequently, this element promises to be a useful palaeoenvironmental proxy that can be applied on fossil assemblages with cervid remains

Ecomorphology of the cervid calcaneus as a proxy for paleoenvironmental reconstruction

This study presents new ecomorphological models for the cervid calcaneus that can be used to make predictions about the nature of ancient environments. Using geometric morphometrics to quantitatively assess the length of the articular surface supporting the malleolus, the length and orientation of the tuber calcanei, and the position of the articular facets, we aimed to establish correlations between morphological traits, locomotor behavior, and environmental parameters in extant cervids. The morphology of the calcaneus was found to primarily vary with locomotor strategy and habitat, along a continuum from habitats with an open vegetation structure to habitats with a closed vegetation structure. Confounding factors, including sexual dimorphism, allometry, and phylogeny were accounted for using Principal Component Analysis, regressions and phylogenetic comparative methods. The results of our analyses suggested that these factors did not substantially obscure habitat predictions. As such, the calcaneus provides a valuable proxy for paleoenvironmental reconstruction that is broadly applicable to Quaternary fossil assemblages with a sufficiently large sample of cervids

Upper Paleolithic animal exploitation in the Armenian Highlands: The zooarchaeology of Aghitu-3 cave

Excavated from 2009 to 2019 by the Tübingen-Armenian Paleolithic Project, Aghitu-3 Cave is the only stratified Upper Paleolithic site in Armenia. Sedimentary deposits range from 39,000 to 24,000 calibrated years before present (ka cal BP). The main Paleolithic occupations occurred during the accumulation of Archaeological Horizon (AH) VI between 36 and 32 ka cal BP and AH III between 29 and 24 ka cal BP. AH VI was deposited under warm and humid conditions, while AH III shows evidence for cooler and drier conditions. Here we report the results of a comprehensive zooarchaeological study aimed at characterizing early modern human hunting behavior in the Armenian Highlands. Our results indicate a focus on adult goats and equids. Bird remains are present, but we found no evidence of human exploitation. Carcass transport strategies appear more selective than those inferred for other assemblages in the region, suggesting that foragers at Aghitu-3 were exploiting larger hunting territories. Finally, we present the results of a pilot microwear and mesowear study on caprine teeth. The latter found evidence for a highly abrasive grazing diet, which in turn suggests that occupation during the formation of AH III took place in spring or summer