Investigadores del MNCN aportan nuevos datos sobre los neandertales

Scientific interest in Neanderthals is on the increase. Yolanda Fernandez-Jalvo has provided two perspectives on the species from the sites in Gibraltar and Azokh, in the Caucuses. In Gorham, Gibraltar, inhabited afterwards by H. sapiens, this CSIC researcher has compared the behaviour of the two species in terms of their environmental exploitation. She concludes that competition between them was not totally “devastating”. The behaviour pattern in Azokh was more opportunistic.Peer reviewe

Compressive marks from gravel substrate on vertebrate remains: A preliminary experimental study

Lakeshore sites such as Cerro de la Garita (Miocene of Teruel, Spain) and Senèze (Pliocene of Haute-Loire, France) yielded fossils with distinct puncture marks. These marks were described as >punctures surrounded by plastically deformed bone>, and were proposed to have been caused by compression or trampling on bones against coarse sediment grain when deposited in damp environments. A series of experiments was performed to test this hypothesis. Cow, red deer and fallow deer metapodials were compressed by applying a mechanical load on them against a gravel substrate under dry/damp environments. Results confirm that these characteristic puncture marks are associated with compression efforts on bones in wet environments.Project CGL 2010-19825 was funded by the Spanish Ministry of ResearchPeer Reviewe

A re-evaluation of the taphonomic methodology for the study of small mammal fossil assemblages of South America

The taphonomic methodology for the study of small mammal fossil was based mainly on actualistic studies of bones and teeth of insectivores (Soricidae, Talpidae, Erinaceidae) and rodents (Arvicolinae, Muridae) recovered from pellets of birds of prey and scats of carnivorous mammals from different places of North America, Europe and Africa. The digestive corrosion patterns on teeth of the South American rodents Sigmodontinae, Caviinae, Ctenomyidae and Abrocomidae, and the marsupials Monodelphini of central Argentina were observed. The comparison between the South American samples with the North American, African and European samples allowed us to establish similarities and differences in the digestive corrosion of the teeth. The main agreements have been recorded in the following groups: Arvicolinae with Caviinae and Abrocomidae; Murinae with Sigmodontinae; Soricidae, Talpidae and Erinaceidae with Monodelphini. However, the particular and simplified configuration of the molars of Ctenomyidae with thicker enamel and dentine exposed has promoted a new description of the categories of digestive corrosion. Likewise Muridae and Sigmodontinae molars, Ctenomyidae presents a delay in the appearance of signs of digestion with regard to other caviomorphs (Caviinae, Abrocomidae). This contribution may, therefore, be useful to know the origin of these South American faunas and the exact taphonomic agent that produced these assemblages. Finally, small mammal samples from an archaeopalaeontological site from Northwestern Patagonia, Argentina, were studied in order to apply the new methodology emerged from the recent samples.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Morphological taphonomic transformations of fossil bones in continental environments, and repercussions of their chemical composition

The aim of this paper is to provide a summary of structural or surface modifications of vertebrate bone remains in continental palaeoenvironments that may have repercussions on their chemical composition. Both before and after burial, a different set of physical, chemical and biological agencies may produce modifications of the bone morphological structure and/or bone chemical composition. Several of these morphological modifications are diagnostic of particular agents, which otherwise may not be noticed or identified in a fossil association. In order to understand diagenesis, those events that occurred before final burial have to be considered, as they may strongly modify the bone morphological structure and influence post-burial changes

Gregariousness in the giant sloth Lestodon (Xenarthra): multi-proxy approach of a bonebed from the Last Maximum Glacial of Argentine Pampas

Megamammals constituted an important component in the Pleistocene faunal communities of South America. Paleobiological and paleoecological studies involving different megamammal taxa have increased significantly in the last years, but there are still several poorly-known issues of its life history. In this work, we analyze an assemblage composed of 13 individuals of different ontogenetic stages, and possibly different sex, belonging to the giant ground sloth Lestodon armatus (Xenarthra, Folivora), recovered from Playa del Barco site (Pampean Region, Argentina). A dating of 19,849 years Cal BP allows assigning this assemblage to a period of the MIS (Marine Isotope Stage) 2 related to the end of the Last Glacial Maximum. Based on multiple lines of research (e.g. taphonomy, paleopathology, osteohistology, isotopy), we interpret the origin of the assemblage and diverse paleobiological and paleoecological aspects (e.g. social behavior, ontogenetic changes, sexual dimorphism, diseases, resource and habitat use, trophic relationships) of L. armatus. Evidence suggests that the assemblage was formed by a local single event of catastrophic mortality, which affected different members of a social group. This record represents the first accurate evidence of gregariousness for this ground sloth, providing new data on a poorly-known behavior among extinct Folivora

Understanding the Impact of Trampling on Rodent Bones

Experiments based on the premise of uniformitarism are an effective tool to establish patterns of taphonomic processes acting either before, or after, burial. One process that has been extensively investigated experimentally is the impact of trampling to large mammal bones. Since trampling marks caused by sedimentary friction strongly mimic cut marks made by humans using stone tools during butchery, distinguishing the origin of such modifications is especially relevant to the study of human evolution. In contrast, damage resulting from trampling on small mammal fossil bones has received less attention, despite the fact that it may solve interesting problems relating to site formation processes. While it has been observed that the impact of compression depends on the type of substrate and dryness of the skeletal elements, the fragility of small mammal bones may imply that they will break as a response to compression. Here, we have undertaken a controlled experiment using material resistance compression equipment to simulate a preliminary experiment, previously devised by one of us, on human trampling of owl pellets. Our results demonstrate that different patterns of breakage can be distinguished under wet and dry conditions in mandibles, skulls and long bones that deform or break in a consistent way. Further, small compact bones almost always remain intact, resisting breakage under compression. The pattern obtained here was applied to a Pleistocene small mammal fossil assemblage from Wonderwerk Cave (South Africa). This collection showed unusually extensive breakage and skeletal element representation that could not be entirely explained by excavation procedures or digestion by the predator. We propose that trampling was a significant factor in small mammal bone destruction at Wonderwerk Cave, partly the product of trampling caused by the raptor that introduced the microfauna into the cave, as well as by hominins and other terrestrial animals that entered the cave and trampled pellets covering the cave floor

The paleontological and archaeological record of the localities of the Trinchera del Ferrocarril in the Sierra de Atapuerca

[ES] El registro paleontológico y arqueológico de los yacimientos de la Trinchera del Ferrocarril representa periodos clave en la evolución biológica y cultural de Homo y en la historia faunística, ambiental y climática de Europa. La parte inferior de la secuencia de Sima del Elefante (TE8-14) tiene una antigüedad proximo a 1 millón de años, y ha proporcionado indicaciones de presencia humana en forma de industria lítica y marcas de corte. Este tiempo señala el principio de una serie de cambios climáticos, ambientales y faunísticos fundamentales. La parte inferior de la secuencia de Gran Dolina (TDW4-TD8inf) se sitúa en la transición del Pleistoceno Inferior a Medio, y permite una caracterización muy precisa de los cambios faunísticos y ambientales alrededor de este límite. El nivel TD6 ha proporcionado una colección abundante de restos de Homo antecessor. El registro arqueológico, incluyendo industria del Modo 1, marcas de corte etc., permite la rara oportunidad de estudiar el comportamiento humano durante este periodo. Galería (TG) y la parte superior de la secuencia de Gran Dolina (TD10-11) pertenecen a la parte central del Pleistoceno Medio y tienen un registro paleontológico y arqueológico abundante, incluyendo restos de Homo heidelbergensis e industria de Modo 2 y Modo 3.[EN] The paleontological and archaeological record of the localities of the Trinchera del Ferrocarril represents key periods in the biological and cultural evolution of man, as well as in faunal, environmental and climatic history of Europe. The lower part of the sequence of Sima del Elefante (TE8-14) is around 1 Ma old and yielded indications of the presence of humans in the form of lithic industry and cutmarks. This time marks the onset of a series of fundamental climatic, environmental and faunal changes. The lower part of the Gran Dolina sequence (TDW4-TD8inf) straddles the Early - Middle Pleistocene limit, and its macro and micro fauna permits a very precise characterisation of the faunal and environmental events around this transition. Level TD6 yielded an abundant collection of remains of Homo antecessor. The archaeological record, including Mode 1 industry, cutmarks etc., provides a rare opportunity to study human behavior of this period. Galería (TG) and the upper part of the Gran Dolina sequence (TD10-11) belong to the central part of the Middle Pleistocene and have an abundant palaeontological and archaeological record, including remains of Homo heidelbergensis and Mode 2 and 3 industry.Agrademos la ayuda de la DGICYT (proyectos BXX2000-1258-CO3-01 y PB98-0513 y el programa de Unidades Asociadas). Jesús Rodríguez es becario postdoctoral de la Comunidad de Madrid. Belén Márquez es becaria predoctoral de la Fundación Duques de Soria. Markus Bastir y Rosa Huguet son becarios del programa de Formación de Investigadores del Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología. Esta última disfruta de una beca del Ayuntamiento de Madrid en la Residencia de Estudiantes. Susana Sarmiento es becaria de la Fundación Atapuerca. María Martinón es becaria predoctoral del Plan Galego de Investigación e Desenvolvemento Tecnolóxico de la Xunta de Galícia. El DGICYT y la Consejería de Cultura y Turismo de la Junta de Castillla y León han hecho posibles las excavaciones en la Sierra de Atapuerca.Peer reviewe

El registro paleontológico y arqueológico de los yacimientos de la Trinchera del Ferrocarril en la Sierra de Atapuerca

El registro paleontológico y arqueológico de los yacimientos de la Trinchera del Ferrocarril representa periodos clave en la evolución biológica y cultural de Homo y en la historia faunística, ambiental y climática de Europa. La parte inferior de la secuencia de Sima del Elefante (TE8-14) tiene una antigüedad proximo a 1 millón de años, y ha proporcionado indicaciones de presencia humana en forma de industria lítica y marcas de corte. Este tiempo señala el principio de una serie de cambios climáticos, ambientales y faunísticos fundamentales. La parte inferior de la secuencia de Gran Dolina (TDW4-TD8inf) se sitúa en la transición del Pleistoceno Inferior a Medio, y permite una caracterización muy precisa de los cambios faunísticos y ambientales alrededor de este límite. El nivel TD6 ha proporcionado una colección abundante de restos de Homo antecessor. El registro arqueológico, incluyendo industria del Modo 1, marcas de corte etc., permite la rara oportunidad de estudiar el comportamiento humano durante este periodo. Galería (TG) y la parte superior de la secuencia de Gran Dolina (TD10-11) pertenecen a la parte central del Pleistoceno Medio y tienen un registro paleontológico y arqueológico abundante, incluyendo restos de Homo heidelbergensis e industria de Modo 2 y Modo 3. [ABSTRACT] The paleontological and archaeological record of the localities of the Trinchera del Ferrocarril represents key periods in the biological and cultural evolution of man, as well as in faunal, environmental and climatic history of Europe. The lower part of the sequence of Sima del Elefante (TE8-14) is around 1 Ma old and yielded indications of the presence of humans in the form of lithic industry and cutmarks. This time marks the onset of a series of fundamental climatic, environmental and faunal changes. The lower part of the Gran Dolina sequence (TDW4-TD8inf) straddles the Early - Middle Pleistocene limit, and its macro and micro fauna permits a very precise characterisation of the faunal and environmental events around this transition. Level TD6 yielded an abundant collection of remains of Homo antecessor. The archaeological record, including Mode 1 industry, cutmarks etc., provides a rare opportunity to study human behavior of this period. Galería (TG) and the upper part of the Gran Dolina sequence (TD10-11) belong to the central part of the Middle Pleistocene and have an abundant palaeontological and archaeological record, including remains of Homo heidelbergensis and Mode 2 and 3 industry

Azokh caves excavations 2002-2006: Middle-Upper palaeolithic transition in Nagorno-Karabagh

Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEpu