The Microvertebrates of Shanidar Cave: Preliminary Taphonomic Findings

Emily Tilby,Graeme Barker,Preston Miracle

doi:10.3390/quat5010004

Abstract

Shanidar Cave, Iraqi Kurdistan, is one of the most important Palaeolithic sites in Southwest Asia. This is due to the long sequence of hominin occupation of the cave and the discovery of multiple Neanderthal individuals from the original Solecki excavations (1951–1960) and recent excavations (2014 to present). Preliminary taphonomic analyses of the microvertebrate assemblage were undertaken to understand the factors affecting assemblage formation and accumulation, and this paper presents the first results of these analyses. All contexts display a high proportion of fragmentation, with a slight decrease in breakage towards the base of the sequence. Black staining and root etching were observed in a similar pattern, present in most contexts but with an increase in the lower levels. A significant proportion of the microvertebrate remains examined displayed light traces of digestion, indicating some contribution to the assemblage by predators. The results are consistent with wider palaeoecological records that indicate relatively warm, wet conditions at the base of the sequence and cooler, drier conditions at the top.

Highlights

Climate change and resultant environmental shifts have long been associated with major population and cultural turnover in human history
In the case of microvertebrates the effect of avian predators is important, as the hunting range and prey preferences may produce biases in the eventual microfaunal community recorded and resultant palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. The aim of this preliminary study was to carry out an initial taphonomic analysis of the microvertebrate assemblage of Shanidar Cave
The preliminary taphonomic results presented here are indicative of relatively constant taphonomic processes throughout the length of the sequence at Shanidar Cave exposed in the new excavations, spanning from MIS 5a to MIS 3

Summary

Introduction

Climate change and resultant environmental shifts have long been associated with major population and cultural turnover in human history. Taphonomic processes may distort and alter the archaeological and palaeontological record, potentially producing spurious interpretations and conclusions if not accounted for Understanding these taphonomic processes is important in analyses that are based on tracking change through a sequence (as is the case in palaeoenvironmental studies), as changes due to shifts in the taphonomic process may mimic or mask environmental changes. In the case of microvertebrates the effect of avian predators is important, as the hunting range and prey preferences may produce biases in the eventual microfaunal community recorded and resultant palaeoenvironmental reconstruction The aim of this preliminary study was to carry out an initial taphonomic analysis of the microvertebrate assemblage of Shanidar Cave. The results of this analysis will be the baseline for future taxonomic, taphonomic, and palaeoenvironmental studies of the site

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion