Distinguishing the taphonomic signature of wolves from humans and other predators on small prey assemblages

the study of human subsistence strategies in prehistoric hunter-gatherer communities is essential to understanding the evolution of human behaviour. An important topic of interest is the expansion of dietary breadth, resulting in the procurement of a larger number of small game species. However, to make accurate interpretations of human subsistence, the correct identification of the agents responsible for archaeofaunal assemblages is crucial, and actualistic studies that establish the taphonomic signature of the different predators are indispensable. Despite being one of the most ubiquitous carnivores in prehistoric archaeological sites, the role of wolves (Canis lupus) as agents responsible for small-prey accumulations has never been examined. the aims of this study are to analyse the taphonomic patterns left by wolves on rabbit remains and to put forward a series of criteria that can help distinguish assemblages produced by this carnivore from those accumulated by people or by other predators. our results reveal that wolves ingest and consume the whole rabbit carcass, with the consequence that all rabbit remains accumulated by wolves come from the scats. the referential framework provided in this study will make it possible to discriminate wolves as agents of fossil rabbit accumulations

Monastic meals: The role of birds in the diet of the Poor Clares at the monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes (Barcelona, Spain) from medieval to modern periods (14th to 19th centuries AD)

[eng] Bird remains recovered from two trial pits and a rubbish dump dated from the 14th to 19th centuries AD at the Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes in Barcelona (northeast Spain) are studied. The variety of avian taxa is low, with domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus) clearly dominating the assemblage. The age at death and the sex profile data suggest that both chickens and hens were preferably consumed. The analysis of body parts indicates a preponderance of the meaty parts of legs, breast, and wings. Chops and cuts also suggest an interest in these anatomical parts. In addition, eggshell remains were recovered, indicating that eggs also played a role in the kitchen of this monastic community. Finally, our data are contrasted with available documentary evidence on historical monastic dietary practice

La Balma del Gai. Vint anys de recerca en un campament de caçadors-recol·lectors entre el plistocè final i l'holocè a l'altiplà del Moianès

La Balma del Gai és un petit abric situat a la Catalunya central, concretament al municipi de Moià (el Moianès), que es troba a uns 760 metres sobre el nivell actual del mar i que dista uns 50 km de la línia de costa actual. Concretament, es troba al bell mig de la unitat geogràfica que anomenen altiplà del Moianès, una zona plana però elevada limitada a l'est i al sud pels cingles del Bertí i al nord per una cadena de turons suaus -tot i que arriben als mil metres d'altitud- i que cap a l'oest va perdent progressivament altitud vers la depressió del Bages i la vall del riu Llobregat. S'obre en una paret calcària d'origen eocè -substrat fonamental de l'altiplà del Moianès-, que es troba al marge dret del torrent que porta el mateix nom (torrent del Gai), el qual és un dels múltiples petits cursos d'aigua que travessen l'altiplà de nord a sud i sud-oest i que acaben sent tributaris del riu Llobregat. La situació precisa del jaciment és gairebé just sota un pont de la carretera N141c, entre Moià i Collsuspina, que salva el desnivell del torrent. Part del jaciment queda arrecerat per una construcció rústica que tancaria en època històrica, i gairebé fins a l'actualitat, un tram de la Balma

When wildcats feed on rabbits: an experimental study to understand the taphonomic signature of european wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris)

Studies of the feeding ecology of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) demonstrate that leporids, mostly European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), dominate their diet in regions where they are present. The remains of wildcats have been found at Pleistocene and Holocene archaeological sites, raising the possibility that they actively accumulated leporid bones in caves and shelters shared with other terrestrial carnivores, raptors and humans. We present the first taphonomic study of rabbit remains consumed by this terrestrial carnivore, with the ultimate aim of understanding their role in bone accumulations at archaeological sites. An experimental study was carried out with a wildcat female, who was fed with nine complete rabbit carcasses. Non-ingested remains and scats were recovered for the analysis of anatomical representation, breakage and bone surface modification. This revealed that non-ingested remains and scats of the European wildcat can be discriminated from most other agents of accumulation. The referential framework provided will permit the discrimination of hominids and wildcats as agents of fossil accumulations of rabbits

From sacred symbolism to luxury display and consumption: The peacock in medieval Catalonia- Data from zooarchaeological, iconographic and literay evidences.

[eng] This work presents the first remains of a peacock (Pavo cristatus Linnaeus 1758) discovered in an archeological context in Catalonia. It is a well-preserved animal (14 remains of an adult female) located in medieval levels—datable to the 13th century (1210–1278 cal. AD) at the site of Carrer de Sotstinent Navarro, in the city of Barcelona. We present the study of the remains of this animal together with that of the other birds recovered from the same excavation. In addition, by referring to iconographic and literary sources, some reflections are made on the species in Catalonia in medieval times. The interpretation of the remains could range from a symbolic religious use of the animal to a more profane one, as an element of identification of social status and economic ostentation, in the field of gastronomy or as an ornamental animal. The study of the remains and their archeological context seem to support this last hypothesis

The Balma del Barranc de la Fontanella site (Vilafranca, Castelló) and its implications for understanding the Geometric Mesolithic of Mediterranean Iberia and the Ebro Valley.

En este artículo damos a conocer por primera vez las ocupaciones humanas del Mesolítico reciente del yacimiento de la Balma del Barranc de la Fontanella (Vilafranca, Castelló). A partir del estudio de la industria lítica, la fauna, el adorno y la sedimentología se realiza un análisis de las características de este yacimiento y se contextualiza tanto a nivel local (comarca del Maestrat/Maestrazgo) como del Mediterráneo Ibérico. Además, la comparación de las dataciones de este conjunto con el resto de los yacimientos mediterráneos permite profundizar en los debates sobre la duración de cada una de las fases y sus relaciones tanto con el Mesolítico antiguo como con la llegada del Neolítico a esta zona montañosa. Los datos obtenidos permiten concluir que La Fontanella estuvo ocupada en las dos fases del Mesolítico reciente, que posiblemente funcionó como un asentamiento secundario orientado a la caza y que una parte de la misma (los ciervos) seria transportada a otro lugar.[eng] In this article we report for the first time the human occupations of the Late Mesolithic period at the Balma del Barranc de la Fontanella site (Vilafranca, Castelló). Based on the analysis of the lithic industry, the fauna, the ornament and the sedimentology, the characteristics of this site are analyzed and contextualized both locally (Maestrat/Maestrazgo region) and within Mediterranean Iberia. In addition, comparing dates of this site with those from other Mediterranean sites we deepen in the debates over the time span of each of the phases and their relationship with both the Early Mesolithic and the arrival of the Neolithic in this high mountain area. From the data obtained, it can be concluded that La Fontanella was occupied in both phases of the Late Mesolithic and that it possibly functioned as a sec

Nuevas interpretaciones del Paleolítico Superior Final de la Cataluña meridional: el yacimiento de L’ Hort de la Boquera (Priorat, Tarragona)

This paper publishes for the first time the results of the excavations conducted at L’Hort de la Boquera site (Margalef de Montsant, Tarragona). This site is included in the research project we began in 1979 on the prehistoric settlement of the middle course of the Montsant River. We present the results obtained with respect to the lithic industries, palaeoecology, palaeeconomy, radiocarbon dates, and the latest discovery, an item of mobiliary art. These make it clear that the site belongs to the final Upper Palaeolithic, with specific features that partly distinguish it from the classic Magdalenian.En este trabajo ofrecemos, por primera vez, los resultados obtenidos hasta el momento en las excavaciones en L’Hort de la Boquera, situado en Margalef de Montsant (Tarragona). El yacimiento forma parte del proyecto de investigación que llevamos a cabo sobre el poblamiento prehistórico del curso medio del río Montsant desde 1979. Los avances se centran en el estudio industrial, de paleoecología, de paleoeconomía, en las dataciones radiocarbónicas y, lo más novedoso, en el del arte mueble, así como en su adscripción a un Paleolítico superior final cuyas características particulares le diferencian del Magdaleniense clásico

Nuevas interpretaciones del Paleolítico Superior Final de la Cataluña meridional: el yacimiento de L'Hort de la Boquera (Priorat, Tarragona)

[eng] This paper publishes for the first time the results of the excavations conducted at L'Hort de la Boquera site (Margalef de Montsant, Tarragona). This site is included in the research project we began in 1979 on the prehistoric settlement of the middle course of the Montsant River. We present the results obtained with respect to the lithic industries, palaeoecology, palaeeconomy, radiocarbon dates, and the latest discovery, an item of mobiliary art. These make it clear that the site belongs to the final Upper Palaeolithic, with specific features that partly distinguish it from the classic Magdalenian. [spa] En este trabajo ofrecemos, por primera vez, los resultados obtenidos hasta el momento en las excavaciones en L'Hort de la Boquera, situado en Margalef de Montsant (Tarragona). El yacimiento forma parte del proyecto de investigación que llevamos a cabo sobre el poblamiento prehistórico del curso medio del río Montsant desde 1979. Los avances se centran en el estudio industrial, de paleoecología, de paleoeconomía, en las dataciones radiocarbónicas y, lo más novedoso, en el del arte mueble, así como en su adscripción a un Paleolítico superior final cuyas características particulares le diferencian del Magdaleniense clásico

Nuevas interpretaciones del Paleolítico Superior Final de la Cataluña meridional: el yacimiento de L’ Hort de la Boquera (Priorat, Tarragona)

This paper publishes for the first time the results of the excavations conducted at L’Hort de la Boquera site (Margalef de Montsant, Tarragona). This site is included in the research project we began in 1979 on the prehistoric settlement of the middle course of the Montsant River. We present the results obtained with respect to the lithic industries, palaeoecology, palaeeconomy, radiocarbon dates, and the latest discovery, an item of mobiliary art. These make it clear that the site belongs to the final Upper Palaeolithic, with specific features that partly distinguish it from the classic Magdalenian.<br><br>En este trabajo ofrecemos, por primera vez, los resultados obtenidos hasta el momento en las excavaciones en L’Hort de la Boquera, situado en Margalef de Montsant (Tarragona). El yacimiento forma parte del proyecto de investigación que llevamos a cabo sobre el poblamiento prehistórico del curso medio del río Montsant desde 1979. Los avances se centran en el estudio industrial, de paleoecología, de paleoeconomía, en las dataciones radiocarbónicas y, lo más novedoso, en el del arte mueble, así como en su adscripción a un Paleolítico superior final cuyas características particulares le diferencian del Magdaleniense clásico