Biostratinomic marks on rabbit remains and Epipalaeolithic hunter-gatherer behaviour in NE Iberia. The case of Cova de la Guineu (Font Rubí, Barcelona)

Abstract

The consumption of small prey by humans throughout prehistory has been a much-discussed topic among researchers. It seems clear that the exploitation of this resource grows with the implementation of climate changes occurring in Europe between the late Pleistocene and Holocene. In the Mediterranean basin, on the Iberian Peninsula, this is mainly evidenced by an increase in the number of rabbit remains recovered from Epipalaeolithic archaeological sites. These faunal accumulations require a taphonomical analysis in order to ascribe the samples to the activity of early Holocene hunter-gatherers or, on the contrary, to a number of predators (raptors and terrestrial carnivores) that occupied the same biome over the same period and feed on the same prey. Our work aims to elucidate, through taphonomic analysis, the human activity on rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in comparison to other predators in Cova de la Guineu site (Font Rubí, Barcelona), and to explain different ways of handling and exploiting rabbit carcasses. Results show that rabbit remains recovered from the Epipaleolithic level respond to anthropogenic contribution. At a macroscopic level, high proportions of thermo-altered bone can be perceived. On a microscopic level, cut marks caused by lithic tools and teeth marks are appreciated. All variables indicate intense exploitation of rabbit as a food resource. This study shows clear evidence of the importance of small prey for human subsistence during this period.