The taphonomy and palaeoecology of the Middle Miocene hominoid locality of Ramnagar (Jammu and Kashmir, India)

Abstract

Despite sporadic fieldwork for nearly a century, the Middle Miocene hominoid locality of Ramnagar (Jammu and Kashmir, India) is still not well understood in terms of its taphonomy and paleoecology. Between 2010–2015, we collected a large number of vertebrate, invertebrate and plant fossil remains from seven sites in the Ramnagar area: Bassi, Kulwanta, Sunetar, Dehari, Thaplal, Nambela and Mata. Taphonomic analyses based on factors such as the number of vertebrate skeletal elements present, taxonomic diversity, degree of completeness (articulation or disarticulation), abrasion, breakage, weathering, and presence/absence of scavenging or carnivore marks lead us to conclude that these fossils experienced short distance transportation and accumulation by fluvial processes. On the basis of the principle of actualism, these fossil assemblages indicate small streams, ponds/pools, swamps, and tropical rain forests developed under warm and humid conditions, with the possibility of more open environments nearby.