Speciated mechanism in Quaternary cervids (Cervus and Capreolus) on both sides of the Pyrenees: a multidisciplinary approach

Cervids, and especially the red deer Cervus elaphus, are among the most regularly and abundantly recorded ungulates in Pleistocene/Paleolithic bone assemblages. Numerous Pleistocene or Holocene subspecies have been described, reinforcing their status as essential proxies for environmental and chronological reconstructions. Despite this, at the beginning of the Late Pleistocene, their diversity seems to have decreased. In this study, we analysed teeth and some postcranial elements of Cervus and Capreolus from north-eastern Iberia and south-eastern France to clarify their morphological characteristics and ecological adaptations. We describe a transitional form in north-eastern Iberia between the western European stock and the current form C. e. hispanicus. Such sub-speciation processes are connected to biogeographical factors, as there were limited exchanges between north-eastern Iberia and the northern Pyrenees, whereas the north-western part of the peninsula seems more connected to the northern Pyrenees. The anatomical plasticity (morpho-functional adaptation and body size) of red deer is connected to dietary flexibility (dental meso- and microwear). Conversely, Capreolus shows greater morphological and ecological homogeneity. Body size variations seem directly correlated with their ability to browse throughout the year. The marked differences between the eco-bio-geographical responses of the two taxa can be explained by their habitat selection.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Prey size as a critical factor for bird bone taphonomy in Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) pellets

International audienc

What is the taphonomic agent responsible for the avian accumulation? An approach from the Middle and early Late Pleistocene assemblages from Payre and Abri des Pêcheurs (Ardèche, France)

International audienc

A rallying point for different predators: the avian record from a Late Pleistocene sequence of Grotte des Barasses II (Balazuc, Ardèche, France)

International audienceThe presence of processed birds in the archeologicalfaunal record is considered key to assessing human dietary evolution.Taphonomic studies on birds from sites older thanMarine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2 have become relevant in the lastfew years, leading to the proposal of more complex scenarios ofhuman subsistence. Several works have demonstrated directevidence of bird consumption by Homo prior to anatomicallymodern humans in Europe; however, others support thehypothesis of non-anthropogenic bird accumulations. This hasled to the necessity of determining what elements or factorscause the human exploitation of birds in some archeologicalsites before the end of the Pleistocene. The Grotte desBarasses II site is located within this framework. Short-termhuman occupations have been attested by the presence of lithictools and processed macrofaunal remains. Additionally, a smallassemblage of bird bones has also been recovered. Here, wepresent a detailed taphonomic study with the aim of exploringpossible relationships between these avian taxa and human occupations.Despite the fact that Neanderthals inhabited the cave,avian specimens show damage pointing to different causativeagents. Direct evidence (digestion, gnawing) indicates thatmammalian carnivores and nocturnal raptors were mainly involvedin the accumulation of bird bones. We propose somefactors that might determine whether or not small game wasexploited in this specific locality and emphasize the importanceof such analytical approaches in the general interpretations ofthe Pleistocene sites

A deep learning-based taphonomical approach to distinguish the modifying agent in the late pleistocene site of toll cave (Barcelona, Spain)

One of the most widely used methods to associate lithic tools and bone assemblage in archaeological sites is the identification of cut-marks. However, the identification of these marks is still problematic in some localities on account of the similarities with the modifications generated by non-human processes, including biostratinomic and post-depositional bone surface modifications. Toll Cave (Barcelona, Spain), with chronologies between 47.310 BP and 69.800 BP, is one of the case studies where the cut-marks could easily be confused with abundant grooves generated by the dragging of sedimentary particles (e.g. trampling), but also with the scores produced by carnivores. In this work, we present the results obtained from applying Deep Learning (DL) models to the taphonomic analysis of the site. This methodological approach has allowed us to distinguish the bone surface modifications with 97.5% reliability. We show the usefulness of this technique to help solve many taphonomic equifinality problems in the archaeological assemblages, as well as the need to implement new approaches to eliminate subjectivity in the descriptions of bone damage and make more accurate inferences about the past.PID2019-103987GB-C31; PID2022-138590NB-C41; CLT009/22/000045, 2021 SGR 01238 and 2021 SGR 01239 ; RYC2019-026386-I; PID2020-114462GB-I00; CEX2019-000945-Minfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

La Cuevona de Avín (Avín, Asturias, North Spain): a new Late Pleistocene site in the lower valley of the River Güeña

Bioarchaeolog

La Cuevona de Avín (Avín, Asturias, North Spain): a new Late Pleistocene site in the lower valley of the River Güeña

Bioarchaeolog