Représentation squelettique au Paléolithique inférieur, le site d'Holon (Israël)

Abstract

Description and analysis of the skeletal elements of two ungulates of different size, Bos and Dama at the open-air, lower Palaeolithic site of Holon (Israel). Several skeletal indices clearly show inter-species differences probably reflecting variation in the mode of exploitation of the carcass according to body size of the animal. Both species have a reverse utility curve (MGUI index) which is characteristic of butchery sites. Bone density is not correlated with skeletal element representation, evidence that the anatomical profile has not been significantly biased by bone preservation. Combined with data taken from modern references and archaeological ones from Palaeolithic sites from Europe and the Levant, multi-variate analysis of skeletal representation at Holon illustrates that the assemblages are distributed into four groups, each dominated by a different element such as cranial, trunk or upper limbs. Holon presents assemblages dominated by crania and extremities, indicating that axial and upper limbs elements rich in meat were removed from the site. The high MNI counts per species and species diversity at the site as well as the presence of cut marks and carnivore damage on some 6 % of the bones favour a model of a series of kill/butchery occurrences when animals were killed and/or scavenged by hominids and carnivores.