Abstract
The exploitation of mid- and large-sized herbivores (ungulates) was central to hominin subsistence across Late Pleistocene Europe. Reconstructing the paleoecology of prey-taxa is key to better understanding procurement strategies, decisions and behaviors, and the isotope analysis of faunal bones and teeth found at archaeological sites represent a powerful means of accessing information about past faunal behaviors. These isotope zooarchaeological approaches also have a near-unique ability to reveal environmental conditions contemporary to the human activities that produced these remains. Here, we present the results of a multi-isotope, multitissue study of ungulate remains from the Middle Paleolithic site of Abri du Maras, southern France, providing new insights into the living landscapes of the Rhône Valley during MIS 3 (level 4.2 = 55 ± 2 to 42 ± 3 ka; level 4.1 = 46 ± 3 to 40 ± 3 ka). Isotope data (carbon, nitrogen) reveal the dietary niches of different ungulate taxa, including the now-extinct giant deer (Megaloceros). Oxygen isotope data are consistent with a mild seasonal climate during level 4.2, where horse (Equus), bison (Bison), and red deer (Cervus elaphus) were exploited year-round. Strontium and sulfur isotope analyses provide new evidence for behavioral plasticity in Late Pleistocene European reindeer (Rangifer) between level 4.2 and level 4.1, indicating a change from the migratory to the sedentary ecotype. In level 4.1, the strong seasonal nature of reindeer exploitation, combined with their nonmigratory behavior, is consistent with a seasonally restricted use of the site by Neanderthals at that time or the preferential hunting of reindeer when in peak physical condition during the autumn.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 103292 |
Number of pages | 24 |
Journal | Journal of Human Evolution |
Volume | 174 |
Early online date | 29 Nov 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2023 |
Bibliographical note
AcknowledgmentsThis research was funded by the Leverhulme Trust (RPG-2017-410 and PLP-2019-284 to K.B.), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, and the Max Planck Society. K.J. thanks ERC Grant ARCHEIS (grant number 803676) and E.L.J. thanks Belspo BRAIN-be ICHIE for salary support during production of this manuscript. Thanks to Ciara Gigleux (Aberdeen), Juan Marin (Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle), Sven Steinbrenner (MPI-EVA), and Kerry Sayle (SUERC) for assistance during sample selection, preparation, and analysis.
Keywords
- Middle Paleolithic
- 65 Paleotemperature
- Collagen
- Enamel
- Dietary niche
- Biogeography