Bovid Bone Accumulation in Late Middle Palaeolithic Poland

Abstract

ABSTRACT The hunting activities of Neanderthals inhabiting the European Lowlands during the Weichsel glaciation are poorly understood due to the scarcity of faunal remains. This work concerns the puzzling accumulation of mammalian remains at the Middle Palaeolithic site Haller Av. in Wrocław, southwestern Poland. The site yielded lithic artifacts in two levels and numerous bone remains typical for steppe-tundra fauna, dominated by steppe bison (Bison priscus). As the site was transformed by fluvial processes, the question arose whether the accumulation of faunal bones was the result of human activity. To resolve this question, we used a multiproxy approach, including spatial analysis with GIS, as well as taphonomic and paleozoological analyses. It was found that the accumulation of bone remains was multi-stage and involved a large area. Only the bison remains were spatially correlated with the traces of human activity. In our opinion, these data indicate the presence of a hunting site of monospecific fauna, demonstrating the profound knowledge of Neanderthals about the ecosystem of which they were a part.