Revision of the Ungulate Fauna and Upper Pleistocene Stratigraphy of Veternica Cave (Zagreb, Croatia)

Abstract

Revision of the Veternica ungulates removes Dama dama (L.) (fallow deer) and Megaceros giganteus (BLUMENBACH) (giant deer) from the species list and adds Bison priscus (BOJ ANUS) (bison) to it. The rhino remains do not allow a specific determination. A/ces a/ces (L.)(elk) and Capreolus capreolus (L.) (roe deer) are rarer than previously thought. Rupicapra rupicapra (L.) (chamois) remains are particularly common in levels d and h. Capra ibex (L.) (ibex) is limited to level d, while Sus scrofa (L.)(pig) needs to be added to the faunallist of level e. Cervus ela ph us (L. )(red deer) is the most common ungulate in all of the levels, with the exception of level d and perhaps level h. This revision remove s all of the socalled warm period ungulates from the fauna and casts doubt on an interglacial date for level j. Therefore, we suggest that level j at Veternica does not date to the last interglacial maximum (oxygen isotope sub-stage Se, e. 128-118,000 BP), but to a later and cooler time period with a more open environment. The sediments, however, do indicate relatively warm and wet conditions of deposition, at least with regards to the rest of the profile. We favor a date during sub-stages Sc or Sa (e. 100,000 and 80,000 BP, respectively), but leave the question open for the time being.