Vertebrate taphonomy Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Dispersed skeletal remains from pellets of Tyto alba found on a rocky surface in Sierra La Peregrina were analyzed. The pre depositional attributes correspond to those determined for the predator in fresh samples. The post-depositional alterations were underdeveloped or unexpressed, allowing recognize stages of developing the same respect fossil samples. These results correspond to a stage of taphonomic history between buried samples and complete and fresh pellets surface. The characteristics of the analyzed sample are a case that optimizes the analogies made in paleontological or archaeological sites based on actualistic studies of whole pellets.

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- Vertebrate taphonomy, Tafonomia, Tyto Alba, Sistema de Tandilia
- by Isabel Cruz
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- Penguins, Patagonia, Zooarqueologia, Vertebrate taphonomy

In the context of increased scrutiny of the methods in forensic sciences, it is essential to ensure that the approaches used in forensic taphonomy to measure decomposition and estimate the postmortem interval are underpinned by robust evidence-based data. Digital photographs are an important source of documentation in forensic taphonomic investigations but the suitability of the current approaches for photographs, rather than real-time remains, is poorly studied which can undermine accurate forensic conclusions. The present study aimed to investigate the suitability of 2D colour digital photographs for evaluating decomposition of exposed human analogues (Sus scrofa domesticus) in a tropical savanna environment (Hawaii), using two published scoring methods; Megyesi et al., 2005 and Keough et al., 2017. It was found that there were significant differences between the real-time and photograph decomposition scores when the Megyesi et al. method was used. However, the Keough et al. metho...

- by Ruth Morgan
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- Geography, Forensic Anthropology, Bioethics, Research Methods and Methodology
- by Suguna Seela
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- Human Ecology, Archaeology, Human Evolution, Zooarchaeology

Microscopic analysis represents a powerful tool for understanding taphonomy. Our work, as in other studies, aims to identify the origin of different kinds of marks on bones. In this paper, we test the application of a HIROX Digital Microscope KH-7700. This microscope captures 3D images of the bone surface, thus bringing into focus the whole section of striations. This enables the direct observation of their shape from several points of view and the relatively rapid procurement of a variety of measurements (e.g. depth, breadth, angles). This technology has been applied to several butchery experiments, in which both stone and metal tools have been used to produce cut marks on skeletal elements. The morphometrical parameters presented in this paper enabled the correct identification of the different origins of experimental striations and were further tested on two archaeological sets of cut marks inflicted by both metal blades and flint flakes or tools. Therefore, the obtained experimental records constitute a useful database for archaeological remains. The morphometrical parameters developed and implemented in this study represent objective criteria for identifying the origin of cut marks which can be processed through statistical analysis.

- by Jacopo Crezzini
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- Prehistoric Archaeology, Archaeometry, Vertebrate taphonomy, 3D Microscopy
- by Chris Noto and +1
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- Geology, Paleoecology, Ecology, Taphonomy
- by Charles Egeland
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- Zooarchaeology, Taphonomy, Vertebrate taphonomy, Olduvai Gorge

The Iberian lynx is an endemic predator of the Iberian Peninsula currently restricted to southern Spain. It is one of the primary predators of rabbits in Iberian ecosystems and probably an important taphonomic agent. Few experimental taphonomic research has focused specifically on this aspect because the Iberian lynx is currently the world's most endangered feline. During the late Pleistocene and early Holocene its home range spread to the whole Iberian Peninsula and Southern France. From an anthropological point of view, Southwestern Europe is one of the major areas of interest for studies of leporid fossil accumulations because some archaeological sites show a clear anthropogenic exploitation of rabbits and hares by Neanderthals and Anatomically Modern Humans. This research is framed within the study of variability in the taphonomic signal of the Iberian lynx. In this paper a set of rabbit bones eaten by a female lynx and her cubs during the denning season which takes around two months has been studied. The experimental assemblage has been characterized using the anatomical representation of the remains, breakage patterns and damage modifications preserved on bone surfaces. The taphonomic data are discussed along with data from the literature of the ethology of the Iberian lynx. The characteristics of the taphonomic modifications are very similar in non-ingested remains altered by adults documented in previous works, and non-ingested remains modified by the litter, in terms of anatomical profile, breakage and tooth mark frequency. The main difference is the presence of specific small tooth marks caused by infant individuals. It is concluded that the Iberian lynx may be a significant source of rabbit bone accumulations in caves and shelters, but exclusively during its breeding season. The presence of bones of mixed origin in the final set (non-ingested and ingested) is inferred as a taphonomic signal feature of Iberian lynx. The expansion of the referential framework will allow us to strongly discriminate the role of hominids and lynxes in fossil accumulations of rabbits, especially when this kind of preys was usually exploited and accumulated by the hunter–gatherers in caves and shelters

- by Juan Marín and +3
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- Zooarchaeology, Vertebrate Palaeontology, Taphonomy, Iberian Prehistory (Archaeology)

Three assemblages of fallow deer (Dama sp.) bones excavated from the early middle Pleistocene (oxygen isotope stage 18) layers of the Acheulian site of Gesher Benot Ya‘aqov, Israel, furnish evidence of systematic and repeated exploitation of complete carcasses by hominins.
The excellent state of preservation of the bones and the presence of only minimal signs of carnivore involvement permit an investigation of the role of hominins as the primary agents responsible for the damage to these bones. Hominin expertise in dealing with fallow deer carcasses is manifested by cut marks, percussion marks, and hack marks on the bones. The archaeozoological analysis of the anatomical position and
frequency of these marks suggests that carcass processing followed systematic practices that reflect an in-depth knowledge of fallow deer anatomy and a consistent behavioral strategy. These assemblages represent one of the earliest examples of methodological butchering practices in Eurasia. The evidence of carcass processing observed at Gesher Benot Ya‘aqov resembles that seen in late Pleistocene sites in Israel, which were inhabited by modern humans. We interpret the Gesher Benot Ya‘aqov data as indicating that the Acheulian hunters at the site (1) were proficient communicators and learners and (2) possessed anatomical knowledge, considerable manual skill, impressive technological abilities, and foresight.

- by Naama Goren-Inbar and +1
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- Zooarchaeology, Archaeozoology, Evolutionary Anthropology, Hominin Diet

Nu mb e r 1 8 M a r c h 2 0 1 4 I SSN 1342-4092

- by Yuji TAKAKUWA
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- Shark, Fossil Shark, Fossil Fish, Vertebrate taphonomy

Cecilio BARROSO RUIZ, Marie-Antoinette de LUMLEY, Anne-Marie MOIGNE, José Antonio RIQUELME CANTAL, Ana ECHASSOUX, Patricia VALENSI, Luis VERDÚ BERMEJO.
Los restos humanos recogidos en la cueva del Boquete de Zafarraya están todos fragmentados. Cincuenta y cinco restos óseos, fragmentos, constituyen veinticinco elementos anatómicos u osamentas diferentes. Han sido descubiertos en diferentes niveles arqueológicos ya sea en la entrado o en el fondo de la cavidad.
Entre las veinticinco osamentas, dieciséis están asociadas a una industria musteriense y a una fauna würmiense y tienen una morfología neandertalense. Corresponden a un mínimo de nueve individuos: dos niños y siete adultos.
Las otras nueve osamentas recogidas en los niveles de revuelto presentan una morfología comparable a la de los hombres modernos. Se corresponden a un mínimo de tres individuos, todos adultos.
Las osamentas humanas recogidas no provienen de sepulturas y las diferentes partes representadas son las siguientes:
NR = número de restos
NME = número mínimo de elementos anatómicos
NMIc = número mínimo de individuos de combinación
Para los Neandertalenses, el número mínimo de nueve individuos y máximo de quince han sido establecidos teniendo en cuenta diferentes tipos de huesos, su repartición estratigráfica y la edad de los individuos (Fig. 1 y 2).

Twenty-five Neogene–Quaternary whales hosted in Italian museum collections and their associated fauna were analysed for evidence of whale-fall community development in shallow-water settings. The degree of bone articulation, completeness of the skeleton and lithology of the embedding sediments were used to gather information on relative water depth, water energy, sedimentation rate and overall environmental predictability around the bones. Shark teeth and hard-shelled invertebrates with a necrophagous diet in close association with the bones were used as evidence of scavenging. Fossil bone bioerosion, microbially mediated cementation and other mollusc shells in the proximity of the remains informed on past biological activity around the bones. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that shallow-water whale falls differ from their deep-water counterparts. Taphonomic pathways are more variable on the shelf and whale carcasses may not go through all steps of the ecological succession as recognised in the deep sea. Whilst the mobile scavenger and the enrichment opportunistic stages are well represented, chemosynthetic taxa typical of the sulphophilic stage were recovered only in one instance. The presence of a generalist fauna among the suspension feeding bivalves and carnivorous gastropods, and the extreme rarity of chemosynthetic taxa, suggest that predatory pressure rules out whale-fall specialists from shallow shelf settings as in analogous cold seep and vent shallow-water communities.

- by Stefano Dominici
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- Paleontology, Decomposition, Taphonomy, Benthic Ecology

Forensic investigations involving animal scavenging of human remains require a physical search of the scene and surrounding areas. However, there is currently no standard procedure in the U.K. for physical searches of scavenged human remains. The Winthrop and grid search methods used by police specialist searchers for scavenged remains were examined through the use of mock red fox (Vulpes vulpes) scatter scenes. Forty-two police specialist searchers from two different regions within the U.K. were divided between those briefed and not briefed with fox-typical scavenging information. Briefing searchers with scavenging information significantly affected the recovery of scattered bones (χ2 = 11.45, df = 1, p = 0.001). Searchers briefed with scavenging information were 2.05 times more likely to recover bones. Adaptions to search methods used by searchers were evident on a regional level, such that searchers more accustom to a peri-urban to rural region recovered a higher percentage of sc...

- by Amanda H . Korstjens
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- Engineering, Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Science, Police

Abstract Sedimentary structures produced by benthic microbial mats have been reported from various ancient shallow-marine deposits, but examples from deep-marine settings are rare. This study focusses on the microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) from fine-grained clastic deposits and carbonates of the Oligocene Menilite Formation that were deposited in a deep-marine environment periodically affected by distal turbidity currents. At the study location, the MISS-bearing deposits are represented by grey to black shales with intercalations of fine-grained sandstones, siltstones and limestones. The MISS were documented in thin sections and using scanning electron microscopy with elemental mapping. Four of the recognised MISS record periods of in-situ formation, which are attributed to a significant sedimentation slowdown, ranging approximately from a few weeks to more than a year. These four MISS include laterally continuous irregularly laminated layers, carbonaceous laminae regularly alternating with calcareous laminae, networks of thin carbonaceous laminae anastomosing between peloids, and irregularly laminated lenses occurring within siltstone-sandstone layers. The other MISS reveal signatures of erosion and redeposition by turbidity currents. They include small lenses representing mat chips and irregularly laminated lenses interfingering with the surrounding mudstone, which represent torn and re-established fragments of mats. The exceptional preservation of articulated fish skeletons that form Konservat-Lagerstatten within the studied succession is explained by the presence of epibenthic mats, which covered the fossil remnants. Microbial overgrowths protected fish carcasses against decay and floating, and facilitated precipitation of early diagenetic carbonates, which enabled fast fossilisation of the remnants. This study indicates that the interpretation of depositional conditions prevailing in a deep-marine setting may benefit considerably from the analysis of MISS. It also shows that the sedimentation rate of flysch deposits may be more variable than commonly assumed, as hiatus intervals are hidden within both hemipelagic deposits and amalgamated turbidite beds. The identification of various MISS types may be significant in distinguishing turbidites from hemipelagic deposits within homogenous muddy successions.

- by Tomasz Ochmanski and +1
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- Earth Sciences, Geology, Sedimentology, Vertebrate taphonomy

Tafonomia é a ciência que estuda o processo de preservação dos restos orgânicos no registro sedimentar e como esses processos afetam a qualidade do registro fóssil (Behrensmeyer et alii, 2000). O termo Tafonomia (do grego: tafos = sepultamento; nomos = leis) foi introduzido na literatura por Efremov (1940), originalmente para designar o estudo das "leis" que governam a transição dos restos orgânicos da biosfera para litosfera. De um modo geral, pode-se dizer que a Tafonomia nasceu da necessidade do paleontólogo em entender como os organismos e seus restos chegaram à rocha e quais foram os fatores e processos que atuaram na formação das concentrações fossilíferas. Rapidamente, notou-se, porém, que a passagem dos restos orgânicos da biosfera para a litosfera não podia ser descrita por "leis", nem visualizada como ocorrendo dentro de certos padrões constantes e repetitivos. A partir daí, a Tafonomia ganhou terreno no âmbito da Geologia e Paleobiologia, especialmente após os rigorosos programas de pesquisa conduzidos por J. Weigelt e E. Wasmund, pesquisadores da chamada Escola Alemã de Actuopalentologia (vide Cadée 1991, para uma revisão histórica). Historicamente, a Tafonomia desenvolveu-se independentemente na Paleontologia de Invertebrados, Vertebrados e Paleobotânica e, de modo tardio, na Micropaleontologia e Palinologia. Atualmente, ciências relacionadas à Paleontologia, como a Arqueologia e a Paleoantropologia têm demonstrado interesse, sendo que uma das áreas com maior desenvolvimento é o da chamada Tafonomia Forense. A despeito dos enormes avanços ocorridos no campo conceitual e metodológico da Tafonomia, não existe ainda, porém, uma "Teoria Tafonômica Unificadora" (Kowalewski, 1997). A figura 3.1 resume, esquematicamente, algumas das relações entre a tafonomia e outras disciplinas paleontológicas e geológicas. foi o primeiro autor a tratar os restos orgânicos como partículas sedimentares, sujeitas aos mesmos processos de transporte, seleção e concentração das partículas sedimentares clásticas, no ciclo exógeno. Seilacher (1970) empregou os termos retrato de morte (= Todesbild), para designar as tafocenoses (concentração de partículas biogênicas soterradas) ou orictocenoses (concentrações fósseis) e retrato de vida (= Lebensbild), para designar as

- by Marcello Simoes
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- Paleontology, Paleoecology, Taphonomy, Vertebrate Paleontology

The fossil record of early vertebrates has been influential in elucidating the evolutionary assembly of the gnathostome bodyplan. Understanding of the timing and tempo of vertebrate innovations remains, however, mired in a literal reading of the fossil record. Early jawless vertebrates (ostracoderms) exhibit
restriction to shallow-water environments. The distribution of their stratigraphic occurrences therefore reflects not only flux in diversity, but also secular variation in facies representation of the rock record. Using stratigraphic, phylogenetic and palaeoenvironmental data, we assessed the veracity of the fossil records of the jawless relatives of jawed vertebrates (Osteostraci, Galeaspida, Thelodonti, Heterostraci).Non-randommodels of fossil recovery potential using Palaeozoic sea-level changes were used to calculate confidence intervals of clade origins. These intervals extend the timescale for possible origins into the Upper
Ordovician; these estimates ameliorate the long ghost lineages inferred for Osteostraci, Galeaspida andHeterostraci, given their known stratigraphic occurrences and stem–gnathostome phylogeny. Diversity changes through the Silurian and Devonian were found to lie within the expected limits predicted from estimates of fossil record quality indicating that it is geological, rather than biological factors, that are responsible for shifts in diversity. Environmental restriction also appears to belie ostracoderm extinction and demise rather than competition with jawed vertebrates.

- by Philip Donoghue and +1
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- Vertebrate Palaeontology, Vertebrate Evolution, Vertebrate Paleontology, Fossil record
- by anfiekta fira
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- Vertebrate taphonomy, Fisioterapia, Biomekanika, Fisioterapi
- by Pat Shipman
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- Archaeology, Paleoecology, Taphonomy, Neanderthals (Palaeolithic Archaeology)
- by Diane Gifford-Gonzalez
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- Zooarchaeology, Vertebrate taphonomy

The "Tooth Draw Deposit" is an extensive, high diversity, multitaxic, dinosaur-rich, bone bed in the latest Cretaceous, Hell Creek Formation. The mapped portions of the deposit show a complex channel lag formed by a combination of both abiotic and biotic processes, at least 40 meters wide and well over 180 meters long. It is composed of interbedded sandstones and conglomerates representing fluvial, riverine deposition, a portion of which shows evidence of hyper-concentrated or debris flow rates. This lag has been sampled in different locations including the main "Tooth Draw Quarry (TD)", "Tooth Draw West (TDW)", "Tooth Draw South (TDS)" and "Becca's Tooth Draw (BTD)". To date, several thousand vertebrate specimens have been recovered over the last 15 years of work. These elements include both dinosaur and non-dinosaur remains, showing a diverse fauna of at least 21 dinosaur and over 48 vertebrate genera. Taphonomic markers indicate that there are at least two distinct communities represented by the deposit. One that represents a more localized fauna, caught up in the initial formation of the lag and another that represents reworked, hydraulically emplaced elements, likely accumulating from further upstream (parautochthonous). Many of the reworked elements show pre-depositional breaks, spiral fractures, bite marks, insect borings, and evidence of sub-aerial exposure. Tyrannosaurid teeth make up over 30% of the logged specimens, over 700 teeth, with more added each year. Dromaeosaurid teeth are also fairly common with over 180 specimens to date. Given the high numbers of shed theropod teeth, and the broken and bite marked bones, the most parsimonious conclusion is that portions of the Tooth Draw assemblage represent the remains of multiple seasons of feeding activity a short distance upstream along the ancient river system.

- by Walter Stein
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- Vertebrate Paleontology, Cretaceous life, Dinosaur Paleontology, Dinosauria

During the Pleistocene-Holocene transition at ~10.0 uncalibrated, or ~11.7 calibrated kya, the Americas were undoubtedly inhabited by humans from north to south ends. The groups living in that time had cultural and adaptive differences in terms of subsistence and technological pursuits. Particularly in the southern cone of South America, archaeological remains witnessed hunter-gatherers living at ~11.0-10.0 uncalibrated kya. They mostly used the so-called "fishtail," or just "Fell" points, a widespread Paleo-American marker. Despite that, they exploited different faunal species, including extant and extinct fauna. At the Salto Department in the northwestern region of Uruguay, on the Itaperibí Grande creek shore, archaeological remains of bones and stones were recovered. One of the most remarkable is a fragmented fossil femur of Lestodon armatus, a mega-mammal giant ground sloth. In its anterior face, this specimen shows diverse kinds of marks. However, no clear association among the findings was documented. Then, in order to check the possible relationship between the bone and the artifacts, the specimen was subjected to radiocarbon dating and it was analyzed in detail from a taphonomic perspective to evaluate the origin of the marks. The radiocarbon assay indicates that the specimen belongs to the last millennium of the Pleistocene. The date is relevant as it is one of the few assays obtained on a sample from that time. The taphonomic study revealed that the marks were not produced by human activity, hence, its primary relationship with the stone artifacts is uncertain. Despite that, these data make an important contribution to the knowledge about the fauna contemporaneously living with the earliest hunt-How to cite this paper: Nami, H. G.,

- by Hugo Nami
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- Geography, South American Archaeology, Late Pleistocene, Vertebrate taphonomy

- by Hugo Nami
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- Geography, South American Archaeology, Late Pleistocene, Vertebrate taphonomy

Leopard remains are rare in the European fossil record, probably a consequence of its solitary and elusive habits. Equi, dating back to Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS3), represents a rich and outstanding exception. Historical excavations (from 1911 to about 1917) at Equi allowed more than 200 remains to be recovered of this large felid, a sample attesting the richest leopard-bearing site in the Pleistocene of Europe. The Equi site testifies the survival of a prosperous leopard population in northwestern Italy (the Apuan Alps area) during the pre Last Glacial Maximum Late Pleistocene. Almost all skeletal elements are represented in the collection (except ribs, and most of axial skeleton). At Equi, leopard is represented by both young and adult animals and, up to now, it seems the first and unique Pleistocene evidence of cave usage for cubs raised in Europe.
This study focuses on the whole record of leopard from Equi, housed in the Museum of Natural History of Florence, and is aimed to analyze the taphonomical assemblage, to provide an anatomical description of the remains and the comparison to the European evidences. Moreover, we infer the paleoecology of leopards, and their relationships with other large carnivores from the Equi guild (Ursus spelaeus, Canis lupus, and Panthera leo spelaea). The site was probably an occasional large carnivores den, used over time by different large carnivore taxa, perhaps in different seasons or times (mutual avoiding).
Our morphological analysis allows us to recognize sexual dimorphic characters in the cranium, and a large morphological variability in body size.

- by Lorenzo Rook
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- Paleobiology, Paleontology, Palaeoenvironment, Paleopathology

Up to now, the ichnological vertebrate record from the Barremian Mirambel Formation (NE Spain) has remained completely unknown despite the fact that osteological findings have been reported in recent years. Here we provide an overview of 11 new dinosaur tracksites found during a fieldwork campaign in the year 2011. The majority of these tracksites (seven) preserve small-to medium-sized tridactyl tracks here assigned to indeterminate theropods. Only one footprint presents enough characters to classify it as Megalosauripus isp. Ornithopod tracks identified as Caririchnium isp. and Iguanodontipodidae indet. and sauropod tracks are recorded at two tracksites. The footprints are preserved in a variety of paleoenvironmental conditions and thus display different kinds of preservation (true tracks, shallow undertracks, natural casts and undertrack casts). The ichnological record from the Mirambel Formation seems to be theropod dominated. This is a clear discrepancy with the osteological record identified in this formation, which shows a predominance of ornithopod dinosaurs.

This paper reviews and synthesizes emerging multi-disciplinary evidence toward understanding the development of social and political organization in the Last Glacial. Evidence for the prevalence and scope of political egalitarianism is reviewed and the biological, social, and environmental inﬂuences on this mode of human organization are further explored. Viewing social and political organization in the Last Glacial in a much wider, multi-disciplinary context provides the footing for coherent theory building and hypothesis testing by which to further explore human political systems. We aim to overcome the claim that our ancestors’ form of social organization is untestable, as well as counter a degree of exaggeration regarding possibilities for sedentism, population densities, and hierarchical structures prior to the Holocene with crucial advances from disparate disciplines.

- by Brian Stewart and +1
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- Human Ecology, Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Human Evolution

Abstract
This paper reviews the ultrastructure and chemistry of fish bone, with an emphasis on zooarchaeology and stable isotope analysis. On the basis of the chemical composition of the collagen and the relationships between the collagen and mineral phases, fish bone is more susceptible to biotic and abiotic degradation than mammalian bone and is therefore less likely to be recovered in archaeological deposits. The amino acid composition of fish bone differs from that of mammals (and other taxonomic groups), most notably with respect to hydroxyproline content. The C:N ratio of fish collagen, however, is very similar and slightly lower than mammalian collagen, and thus the traditional range of acceptable C:N ratios for collagen (2.9−3.6) should not be shifted or extended for fish on the basis of the amino acid composition of collagen. An extensive survey of published archaeological bone collagen C:N ratios demonstrates that fish collagen from archaeological contexts tends to have significantly higher C:N ratios than mammalian collagen. The elevated C:N ratios in fish bone collagen may be the result of abiotic degradation processes that occur within the bone after death, the presence of exogenous humic contaminants, or endogenous lipid contaminants."

- by Paul Szpak
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- Archaeology, Geology, Biogeochemistry, Zooarchaeology

El marco de interacción que se establece entre el Homo sapiens y otras especies, es uno de los nichos de estudio en los que podemos profundizar a raíz de los restos materiales. La capacidad que tenemos de crear nuestro propio mundo con base en lo que nos rodea, hace que los animales intercedan en ello, situándose los domésticos en un plano de relación privilegiado. Es aquí donde el caso del perro (Canis familiaris) resulta un campo paradigmático de estudio, que ha arrojado considerables resultados dentro de la investigación arqueológica mexicana. Sin embargo, al revisar este fenómeno en la región del Occidente de Mesoamérica, surge la necesidad de realizar una aproximación integradora, que no se limite a la recurrente visión postclasica del perro como animal de paso al más allá.
Con la perspectiva teórica que la Zooarqueología Social Interpretativa ofrece, desarrollamos una estrategia de investigación con base en estudios de caso, adscritos a tres subáreas distintas. En las Tierras Altas Orientales se emplaza el sitio de La Mina (Michoacán), concretamente en la orilla sur del Lago de Cuitzeo. Se trata de una plataforma habitacional de finales del Epiclásico (500/600–900 A.D.), con entierros en su base donde aparecen cachorros junto a humanos. El segundo caso lo constituye el sitio de Los Guachimontones (Jalisco), en el centro de las Tierras Altas Occidentales. Una urbe neurálgica para el Clásico temprano (100 B.C.–250 A.D.), en la que se documentan cánidos domésticos en diversos contextos hasta el Postclásico (900–1521 A.D.). Por último, en las Planicies Costeras estudiamos el sitio de la Loma Funeraria en la Terminal de Gas Natural Licuado Manzanillo y el área residencial y fúnebre de Chocohuistle en el Patio de Maniobras Tepalcates II. Una amplia muestra de perros y humanos compartiendo el mismo espacio, durante un intervalo temporal que va del Formativo terminal a inicios del Postclásico (300 B.C.-900 A.D.).
Las bases metodológicas utilizadas para analizar este universo de muestra cuentan con una orientación hermenéutica, en las que prima la obtención de datos inductivos y la colaboración en términos transdisciplinares. Sus fundamentos son el análisis de los restos óseos, la obtención de dataciones numéricas y la estimación de tendencias paleodietéticas, mediante un protocolo arqueométrico de lectura de elementos traza por XRF. De esta forma accedemos al análisis de la relación entre el perro, el humano y viceversa en sus propios términos, con el objetivo principal de reconocer el contexto social en el que se dio esta simbiosis. Aún con todo y que la mayoría de nuestros casos son potencialmente fúnebres los resultados reflejan un panorama heterogéneo, reafirmando la maleabilidad de formas que toma la relación que hemos mantenido con estos cuadrúpedos.

- by Aitor Brito Mayor
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- Zooarchaeology, Paleodiet, Zooarqueologia, Vertebrate taphonomy

Desde la década de 1980, el campo de la Zooarqueología fue adquiriendo un notable
crecimiento, que se manifiesta en la diversidad de líneas de investigación desarrolladas y en el número creciente de investigadores, becarios y estudiantes abocados a esta especialidad. Hasta el año 2008, los únicos espacios para la discusión de los datos generados a partir de los conjuntos arqueofaunísticos eran los Congresos Nacionales y las Jornadas regionales de arqueología. sin embargo, la variedad de los temas tratados y el creciente número de presentaciones en estas reuniones científicas limitaban el espacio de discusión de los resultados y el intercambio de ideas. Con la intención de suplir esta situación, en septiembre de 2008 se realizó el i Congreso Nacional de Zooarqueología argentina (malargüe), con el objetivo de generar un espacio de intercambio y discusión que congregara a los investigadores en zooarqueología de todo el país, evento al cual le siguieron la segunda edición en olavarría en 2011 y la tercera en Tilcara en 2013. el IV Congreso Nacional de Zooarqueología (iVCNZa), que se realiza en Ushuaia, demuestra la continuidad y la periodicidad para la reunión de los especialistas e interesados en esta disciplina.

- by Fernando C . Santiago and +1
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- Archaeology, Zooarchaeology, Fish Remains (Zooarchaeology), Taphonomy

aproximación a la diversidad de icnitas de saurópodo en el tránsito Jurásico-Cretácico (Titónico-Berriasiense) de la Cordillera Ibérica (España). / An approach to diversity of Sauropod footprints in Jurassic-Cretaceous transition... more

- by Manuel Abad and +1
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- Geology, Paleoecology, Taphonomy, Vertebrate Paleontology

Tank deposits consist in the main source of information about the Paleoecology of Quaternary vertebrates of Brazil and paleoenvironments of the Brazilian Intertropical Region (BIR) during the Late Pleistocene-early Holocene. Taphonomic researches involving fossil assemblages of tank deposits performed recently have always local amplitude, not allowing the recognizing of regional processes/phenomena (e.g. climate, stratigraphic control, geomorphology) that can have driven the taphonomic histories of deposits of this sort. This Thesis aims the proposition of a taphonomic model for Quaternary vertebrates of tank deposits through a regional-scale taphonomic analysis of bearing-vertebrate tank deposits. Taphonomic aspects of five paleontological sites were evaluated: (i) Jirau (municipality of Itapipoca, CE); (ii) João Cativo (municipality of Itapipoca, CE); (iii) Campo Alegre (municipality of Taperoá, PB); (iv) Curimatãs (municipality of Pocinhos, PB); and (v) Lage Grande (municipality of Alagoinha, PE). All material analyzed here is housed at Paleovertebrates collections of Museu Nacional and of Paleontology of Museu de Pré-história de Itapipoca. Biostratinomic, fossildiagenetic and paleoecological features were recognized and interpreted. When disponible, sedimentological and stratigraphic features were also analyzed and interpreted. This analysis indicates taphonomic similarities among the tank deposits related mainly to biostratinomic processes, such as transport and weathering, however, also indicates differences related to the biogenic processes (e.g. scavenging, trampling and butchering). Paleoecological features are constant for nearly all tank deposits, such as the predominance of the ground sloth Eremotherium laurillardi and the paucity of small-sized vertebrates. In general, the fossil assemblages show different degrees of time-averaging, and some consist in “time-averaged samples” (Lage Grande) and others in “time-averaged samples” (Jirau, João Cativo Curimatãs and Campo Alegre). Furthermore, the comparative taphonomic analysis among different vertebrate groups of a same fossil
assemblage (megamammals and anurans) indicates the occurrence of spatial-mixing within a same tank deposit. The taphonomic model for tank deposits includes taphonomic features unleashed by physical processes and variations related to biogenic aspects. The integrative approach of the data gathered in this Thesis evidences that the probable taphonomic scenario for this model is a result from a paleoclimatic control on the genesis of fossiliferous deposits of tanks during the Late Pleistocene-early Holocene.

- by Hermínio Araújo-Júnior
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- Paleontology, Paleoecology, Quaternary Geology, Taphonomy

It is provided an overview of bone manufacture during the Republican period in Rome. Bone working played an important role within ancient production systems, endowing objects with multiple values, from mundane to symbolic purposes in everyday life and funerary practices. Bone elements, selected from butchery waste, undergo several processing stages until the final finishing. While finished objects shed light on typology and chronology, processing waste yields clues onto the working operations, tools and methods involved. As for the Republican period, little evidence occurs so far within the urban scenario, being mainly associated with funerary and votive contexts: objects only rarely hint at local manufactures, suggesting that products and workmanship were imported from Etruria during 6th – 5th centuries BC and from Greek cities since 4th ‐ 3rd BC. In this respect, preliminary evidence of bone processing collected from the excavation on the NE slope of the Palatine could supply new data on bone manufactures in Rome during the Early‐to‐Mid Republican periods.

- by Gabriele Soranna
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- Classical Archaeology, Zooarchaeology, Material Culture Studies, Archaeozoology

In the last few decades, some progress has been made towards a synthesis of the data on the presence of early hominins in Europe and their dispersals across the continent in the Early and Middle Pleistocene. The sites that have been documented present various datasets, including hominin fossils, large and small mammal remains, and archeological artifacts. In this paper, the main focus is on sites where clear evidence exists of the processing of large mammals by hominins, in the form of cut marks, percussion marks, and others. In this regard, the taxonomic diversity of the mammals is considered alongside the type of hominin activity. All these sites serve as background for the recent discovery of the earliest (MIS 11 or 9), and indeed the only Polish, example of Middle Pleistocene human butchering activity (at the Bełchat ow site). The study revealed that the filleting of meat, as found in Bełchat ow, was also the means of meat processing employed on the oldest site of those with evidence of butchery, which is located in fact in the transition zone of Europe and Asia. This means that processing, even in its simplest forms, could have been a strong influence on adoption of meat eating among members of the Homo genus, as has been discussed recently. This emphasizes the significance of human choice, and seems to have occurred regardless of the geographical setting of human activity. This paper also presents a paleogeographic synthesis of butchering for the European Early and Middle Pleistocene and summarizes our current understanding of food processing by hominins, by scrutinizing the data on large mammals affected by such processes.

- by Kamilla Pawlowska
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- Taphonomy, Pleistocene Vertebrate, Large Carnivores, Bovids (Zooarchaeology)
- by Marjolein Bosch
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- Archaeology, Near Eastern Archaeology, Human Evolution, Zooarchaeology

The Late Cisuralian is known as a time of increasing aridity, compared to the Late Pennsylvanian–Early Cisuralian. Although several studies highlighted this trend at low latitudes of Western Pangaea, little is known from Central Pangaea environments. The discovery of new fossiliferous horizons in the Late Cisuralian Tregiovo Formation (Northern Italy), allowed a new palaeoenvironmental study based on facies analysis, ichnology, palaeobotany, plant–insect interaction and palynology. Three facies associations were identified (A–C), and correspond to floodplain lake, ephemeral lacustrine and distal alluvial fan environments, respectively. The tetrapod ichnoassociation is more diverse than previously known, including abundant diapsid and non-diapsid reptile tracks and rarer temnospondyl amphibian tracks. Plant fossils are characterized by a predominance of hinterland taxa (conifers), hygrophytic plants are present as well. The sporomorph association is dominated by miospores of Cordaitales, Voltziales, and Peltaspermales while trilete lycopsid and fern miospores are rare which corresponds well with the macroflora. Invertebrate trace fossils and feeding traces on plant fossils are described for the first time from the Tregiovo Basin suggesting transitional, low energy environments, and a relatively low level of her-bivory, respectively. This study evidences the development in the Tregiovo Basin of a wet-and-dry (probably seasonal) climate, which became drier between facies associations A–B. This environment constitutes an important reference since few data are known to infer the Late Cisuralian climatic conditions of Central Pangaea.

- by Lorenzo Marchetti and +1
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- Evolutionary Biology, Paleobiology, Systematics (Taxonomy), Palaeogeography

P. Valensi, H. de Lumley, M. Beden, L. Jourdan, F. Serre. Chapite 13 - Sous la direction de Henry de LUMLEY "Palynologie - Anthracologie -Faunes -Mollusques Ecologie et Biogeomorphologie Paleoanthropologie -Empreinte de pied humain... more

P. Valensi, H. de Lumley, M. Beden, L. Jourdan, F. Serre.
Chapite 13 - Sous la direction de Henry de LUMLEY "Palynologie - Anthracologie -Faunes -Mollusques Ecologie et Biogeomorphologie Paleoanthropologie -Empreinte de pied humain -Coprolithes"

- by Patricia Valensi
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- Archaeozoology, Biostratigraphy, Lower Paleolithic, Vertebrate taphonomy

El International Council for Archaeozoology (ICAZ) promueve la organización pluralista y transdisciplinaria, al reunir a arqueólogos, biólogos, paleontólogos, veterinarios, entre otros especialistas de todo el mundo, cuyo objeto de estudio es la relación entre la sociedad humana y los animales a través del tiempo. En Latinoamérica este tipo de estudios han alcanzado un desarrollo muy notorio en las última décadas.

- by Albérico de Queiroz and +1
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- Zooarchaeology, Environmental Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Vertebrate taphonomy

The Valsequillo region in Puebla, Mexico, is an important fossil record that was formed in a context of flood plain of a paleolake within a huge volcanic area. During the 60´s and 70´s of the XX century, several archaeo-paleontological materials were recovered from the different localities, this evidence includes fauna remains from the Late Pleistocene (meso and megaherbivores) in physical association with lithic artifacts. Based on zooarchaeological and taphonomic study of the bone materials recovered during the XX century, the present work brings new information concerning the main formation processes implied in the accumulation of the diferent sites reported in the area. Some of these materials are interesting in terms of the discussion of the role of humans and carnivores in the formation of this fossiliferous deposit and in the controversial antiquity of the origin of the peopling of America.

Galgenbuhel/Dos de la Forca is an Early Mesolithic site located at Salorno (Bolzano, Italy, Alps) and dated between approximately 8S00 and 7S00 BC cal. The subsistence economy of the hunter-gatherer groups was based on the exploitation of nearby wetlands and the forested valley bottom, Together with ungulates as wild boar, red deer and chamois, the fauna comprises small carnivores (wild cat,
fox, pine marten, badger) and semi-aquatic mammals such as otter and beaver. The latter is the most abundant taxon and a reasonable amount of its remains bear cut marks. Anthropic traces are also present on bones of Fe/is silvestris, Martes martes, Lutra lutra and Lepus sp. A recent ly published paper about the wild cat remains of Galgenbuhel has demonstrated its exploitation not only for its fur but for nutritional purposes, too. We present the examination of the skeletal frequencies and the distribution of the anthropic traces
on the bones belonging to the other small carnivores, rodents and lagomorphs. A 3D digital microscope analysis was performed in order to identify the origin of the cut ma rks. Results have allowed to reconstruct the chaine operatoire adopted by hunter-gatherers for the treatment of Castor fiber carcasses and to understand the role of each species in their subsistence strategies. The work is part of a research project (living near the water) finances by the Higher Education Support, Unive rsity and Research Office of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano

- by Ursula Wierer and +2
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- Zooarchaeology, Mesolithic Archaeology, Vertebrate taphonomy

Many of the 'myths' of direct ancestors of 'all hominids' or of Homo or of H. sapiens and age of these 'ancestors' are shown to be 'false' or based on poor character analyses and/or suboptimal classifications and/or inconsequent choices of names of taxa. Ernst Mayr's devastating influence since 1950 on naming fossil hominids and therefore on comprehending their diversity is obvious. Recently, that is since mid 1990s, many more new taxa of fossil hominids have been found and named, and this has produced a much better appreciation of the prehistoric diversity, and has questioned and put into doubt, if not outright refuted, many of the traditional, often too simplified and adaptationistic scenarios (or 'just-so stories') about human evolution as evidenced by 'direct fossil ancestors'. The most famous of these, 'Lucy', is here named Afaranthropus (n. gen.) antiquus (Ferguson, 1984).

- by Niels Bonde
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- Palaeoecology, Vertebrate Evolution, Vertebrate Paleontology, Vertebrate taphonomy

The Late Antiquity village of El Castillón is located in Santa Eulalia de Tábara, (Zamora, Northwest of Spain), controlling the passage of the Esla river, a tributary of the Duero river, and close to de “Ruta de la Plata” (a roman road between Emerita Augusta and Asturica Augusta). In this settlement, we have documented habitat structures, as well as storage and metalworking areas (sounding 1, 3, 8), which are related to an occupation that took place in the second half of the 5th century AD (phase III-A). Associated with the occupation we have classified a lot of faunal remains whose profit use and exploitation patterns are reconstructed, allowing us to know more about the lives of the inhabitants of El Castillón in a moment of political struggle between Suevian and Visigothic kingdoms. Thus, most of the remains studied indicate meat consumption, based mainly on caprids and cattle. In addition to mammals, there are also birds, shells and fish remains. We analyze the anatomic representation of the bones and their age distribution, as well as the taphonomic agents that have intervened in the formation of the archaeozoological record.

- by Rodrigo Portero Hernández and +1
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- Zooarchaeology, Late Antique Archaeology, Late Antiquity, Subsistence systems (Archaeology)

Abstract—The Fruita Paleontological Research Natural Area (FPA) is remarkable for the abundance and diversity of
Upper Jurassic terrestrial fossils preserved within an area of approximately one square kilometer. Taking advantage of
the three-dimensional outcrop at the FPA, high-resolution event stratigraphic methodologies have been used to correlate
the crevasse splays (flood deposits) and to evaluate the interrelationships of individual fossil sites to each other and
to specific local environments. These include: (1) bank-controlled, gravelly, low-sinuosity river channels (ribbon
sandstones facies), (2) clay-dominated levees with well-sorted, sandstone, proximal crevasse-splay complexes best
developed at channel bends (levee facies), (3) drab, poorly-drained, alkaline flood plains with carbonate-cemented
crevasse splays and poorly-developed paleosols (drab flood-plain facies), (4) well-oxidized, well-drained flood plains
having well-developed paleosols with nodular carbonates (dark red flood-plain facies), (5) relatively permanent springfed
ponds or marshes locally overlying channel thalwegs (pond/marsh facies), and (6) ephemeral alkaline flood-plain
ponds characterized by barite nodules (alkaline pond facies). The distribution of active and abandoned channel-levee
complexes controlled depositional base level within the flood-plain environments. The facies defining these environments
also preserved distinctive suites of fossils: (1) ribbon sandstone facies preserve large dinosaurs, aquatic crocodilians,
turtles, unionid bivalves, and isolated logs, (2) levee facies preserve dinosaur bones and diverse trace fossils,
(3) drab flood-plain facies preserve evidence of dinosaur nests, diverse small terrestrial vertebrates, and diverse trace
fossils associated with crevasse splays, (4) dark red flood-plain facies do not preserve significant body fossils, but
preserve abundant root traces and other trace fossils, (5) pond/marsh facies preserve abundant carbonaceous plant
materials, logs, aquatic invertebrates, fish, and dinosaurs, and (6) alkaline pond facies preserve small delicate fossils
washed in from across the flood plain, including invertebrates, fish scales, and small terrestrial vertebrate fossils
(many with intact skeletons). The conceptual framework described herein forms a basis for further research on the
extraordinary natural laboratory preserved within the Morrison Formation at the FPA.

- by James Kirkland
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- Paleobotany, Taphonomy, Fossil Microvertebrates, Dinosaurs

In this article, we present the first results on the large mammal fauna from the new open-air Lower Palaeolithic locality Marathousa 1 (MAR-1) (Megalopolis Basin, Peloponnesus, Greece). MAR-1 belongs to the Marathousa Member of the Choremi Formation and its large mammal faunal list (collection 2013-2016) includes the castorid Castor fiber, the mustelids Mustela sp. and Lutra simplicidens, the felid Felis sp., the canids Vulpes sp. and Canis sp., the elephantid Palaeoloxodon antiquus, the hippopotamid Hippopotamus antiquus, the bovid Bison sp., and the cervids Dama sp. and Cervus elaphus. This faunal association is common in the Galerian (Middle Pleistocene) mammal communities of Europe (ca. 0.9-0.4 Ma). The MAR-1 fauna is consistent with a temperate climate and is indicative of a landscape with substantial woodland components with more open areas, close to permanent and large freshwater bodies. Of particular interest are an elephant cranium and numerous postcranial elements, which were found in close anatomical association and are attributed to a single individual of the straight-tusked elephant Palaeoloxodon antiquus. The skeleton belonged to a male individual in its late adulthood close to or in its sixties, with live skeletal height around 3.7 m at the shoulder and body mass around 9.0 tonnes. The good state of preservation of the MAR-1 bones allows the identification of taphonomic modifications. Cut marks on the elephant skeleton, and on other elephant and mammal bones, indicate human exploitation by means of butchering activities, in accordance with the traits of the lithic assemblage and its spatial association with the bones. Carnivore activity is also recorded on some elephant and cervid bones. Marathousa 1 is among the oldest elephant butchering sites in Europe and the only one known in Southeastern Europe.

- by George E . Konidaris and +5
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- Zooarchaeology, Archaeozoology, Vertebrate Palaeontology, Taphonomy

Squamate (lizard and snake) remains are abundant in the terminal Pleistocene Natufian archaeological sites of the Levant, raising the question of whether they constitute part of the broad-spectrum diet characteristic of this period. However, the role of squamates in Natufian diets remains unclear, as they are taphonomically under-studied. We conducted a series of experiments and actualistic observations that tested the impact of pre- and post-depositional processes on squamate vertebrae. We emphasized the multiple destruction processes that leave overlapping or altered marks on the bones, such as digestion marks that were modified by trampling. The resulting bone modification typology provides a tool for studying archaeological squamate remains. The experimental data were compared to the archaeological bone samples of the Natufian sequence of el-Wad Terrace (Mount Carmel, Israel, 15,000–12,000 cal BP). The Natufian squamate samples deviate from all actualistic ones in their lesser e...

- by Reuven Yeshurun
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- Zooarchaeology, Reptiles, Vertebrate taphonomy, Natufian

Oryctodromeus is a small bipedal dinosaur known from middle Cretaceous (95-100 My) Wayan Formation of Idaho and the Vaughn Member of the Blackleaf Formation of Montana. This taxon is hypothesized to be a burrowing dinosaur, which cared for its young within these burrows. This dissertation is a broad three-part treatment of this taxon, and excepting the introductory and concluding chapters this dissertation consists of three main chapters. Chapter two describes the osteology and phylogenetic relationships of this animal. Notable features of the Oryctodromeus skeleton described include a network of ossified tendons along the vertebral column that completely ensheath the tail, a long tail that forms more than half the length of the animal, and unusual femoral heads whose morphology may be related to burrowing behavior. The first full skeletal and skull reconstructions of this animal are presented. Chapter three investigates patterns of preservation of Oryctodromeus. Data suggests that preservation of single to multiple individuals of this taxon typically occurred in burrows that may be difficult to impossible to recognize in the fossil record. New examples of burrows from Oryctodromeus from the Vaughn and Wayan, as well as additional evidence for social behavior, are also described. A third chapter details the ontogenetic histology, growth rates and patterns of skeletal fusion based on seven limb elements (femora and tibiae) from different individuals. Based on the data in this dissertation, three growth stages can be recognized in Oryctodromeus based on bone histology. Juveniles are defined by more rapidly growing fibrolamellar tissue, sub-adults are defined by a cortex of inner fibrolamellar tissue and outer zonal parallel fibered tissue, and near-adult individuals have tissue similar to sub adults with dense avascular bone in the outermost cortex that signals a decrease in growth rate. LAG’s suggest a minimum age of six to seven years for more mature individuals. Patterns of neurocentral fusion in Oryctodromeus appear similar to those of crocodylians and some other small ornithischians, while the growth rates of Oryctodromeus appear slower than those of some dinosaurs, but similar to taxa such as Orodromeus and Tenontosaurus.

- by L.J. Krumenacker
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- Histology, Vertebrate Paleontology, Dinosaur Paleontology, Vertebrate taphonomy
- by Kenneth Ruddle
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- Human Ecology, Archaeology, Southeast Asian Studies, Zooarchaeology