Abstract The use of tooth mark sizes to infer carnivore types when analyzing the modification of faunal assemblages has been criticized on the base of intense overlap in tooth mark size among differently sized carnivores. The present... more
Abstract The use of tooth mark sizes to infer carnivore
types when analyzing the modification of faunal assemblages
has been criticized on the base of intense overlap in
tooth mark size among differently sized carnivores. The
present study analyzes this overlap and presents some critical
explanations for it. This work is based on the largest
collection of tooth pit dimensional data collected to date for
some of the most relevant carnivore types. The study empirically
shows that small and large carnivores can be clearly
differentiated when using tooth pit size, with a higher
discrimination when using tooth marks on dense shafts than
on cancellous ends. It is argued that most previous studies of
tooth mark sizes have reproduced a higher overlap probably
because sample sizes were small, and experiments were
carried out using small carcasses (which require a smaller
bite force) or for a combination of factors.
Abstract Carnivore taphonomy has been traditionally used for the interpretation of archaeological sites in order to discriminate human-generated or modified from non-anthropic bone assemblages. In most of this actualistic research,... more
Abstract Carnivore taphonomy has been traditionally used
for the interpretation of archaeological sites in order to discriminate
human-generated or modified from non-anthropic
bone assemblages. In most of this actualistic research, the
focus has mainly been placed on hyenas and felids, neglecting
other carnivores. This paper analyzes the taphonomic impact
of the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) on equid bones and
compares it with the bone modification patterns produced by
other canids, such as wolves (Canis lupus) in order to compare
medium-/large-sized canid variability on bone modification
patterns and elaborate a referential framework which
could be feasibly applied to the zooarchaeological record to
detect canid intervention on archaeological assemblages in the
past.
Australian archaeofaunal assemblages are often heavily fragmented by taphonomic agents whose identity or origins are frequently difficult to discern. This study explores whether the fragmentation and accumulation of bone by carnivorous... more
Australian archaeofaunal assemblages are often heavily fragmented by taphonomic agents whose identity or origins are frequently difficult to discern. This study explores whether the fragmentation and accumulation of bone by carnivorous marsupial quolls may be distinguished from that produced by humans. Analyses of 140 scats obtained from captive feeding trials and wild populations of three quoll species (Dasyurus maculatus, Dasyurus viverrinus and Dasyurus hallucatus) indicates that damage to bones by quolls may be identified through a combination of the median length of bone specimens and observations of specific types of damage to the bone surface. Our results demonstrate that bone consumed by D. viverrinus and D. hallucatus is highly unlikely to be confused with human-accumulated assemblages due to low dietary overlap and the very small bone fragment size produced by both quoll species. Bone accumulations of the larger D. maculatus species, however, may be incorrectly attributed to humans due to the consumption of medium-large mammals by both humans and quolls, and the larger size of bone fragments produced by D. maculatus. Although fragments as large as 25 mm were recovered from wild D. maculatus scats, the median length of scat-bone fragments for D. maculatus falls between ~8.30–10.40 mm. This is significantly different statistically to the median fragment length (11.90 mm) of bone in scats of the Tasmanian devil, Sarcophilus harrisii, as reported by Caroline Northwood (1990). Scats from wild D. maculatus indicate that polish and pitting are the most common forms of surface damage to bone, with more than 25% of specimens displaying these marks. Punctures and tooth drag marks are far rarer, with only 5% of bone specimens exhibiting this kind of damage. In light of these results, we advocate for detailed observation of the surface of bone specimens, along with obtaining specimen lengths, in order to distinguish quoll accumulated bone in archaeofaunal assemblages.
En este trabajo hemos estudiado las lateraciones superficiales en cuatro yacimientos de osos cavernarios cantábricos y en uno de osos pardos fósiles. De los cuatro yacimientos de osos cavernarios, tres son mono específicos y el cuarto... more
En este trabajo hemos estudiado las lateraciones superficiales en cuatro yacimientos de osos cavernarios cantábricos y en uno de osos pardos fósiles. De los cuatro yacimientos de osos cavernarios, tres son mono específicos y el cuarto incluye otros carnívoros, como el lobo y la hiena. También hemos comparado con restos óseos de un yacimiento de osos pardos fósiles. Hemos registrado fracturas espirales, representación de tipos de fragmentos y marcas de dientes, sus posiciones anatómicas, su número y sus tamaños. Los yacimientos monoespecíficos de oso cavernario muestran modelos de carroñeo homogéneos, que afectan exactamente del mismo modo a los huesos adultos y a los infantiles, analizados por separado. […]