Paleontological Localities Research Articles

Paleoclimatic reconstruction of the Late Pleistocene Talara Tar Seeps, Peru, using fossil reptiles, small mammals, and birds

Functional traits of vertebrates can be used to infer paleoenvironmental conditions, allowing research into past climate changes and biotic responses. Birds are generally considered poor palaeoclimatic proxies due to their high vagility. Here, we analyze biogeographical and climatic niche information from multiple vertebrate groups including small mammals, reptiles, and birds to infer the paleoclimatic conditions present during the Late Pleistocene (∼14,500–17,000 years BP) at Talara, an asphaltic paleontological locality on the northern Peruvian coast. We created Ecological Niche Models for the nearest living relative of each fossil species identified at Talara. We then used the Mutual Ecogeographic Range method, obtaining the overlapping area between distributions for each vertebrate group (birds, reptiles, and small mammals) as well as for combinations of groups, to infer the paleoclimate at Talara and to determinate what taxonomic groups are best for reconstructing climate in this system. Our analyses indicate that conditions at Talara were slightly cooler and significantly wetter than those of the present day. Individually, different vertebrate groups provide different paleoclimatic information. Birds were found to be a poor paleoclimatic proxy. Mammals were good for inferring paleoprecipitation but not paleotemperature. Reptiles were good group for inferring paleotemperature but not paleoprecipitation. While analyzing all vertebrate groups together yields the most robust conclusions, reptiles and small mammals combined are a good proxy for inferring both paleoprecipitation and paleotemperature. Our results suggest an interstadial period that agrees with paleotemperatures inferred from isotopic and sedimentary information. Our research indicates that today, the southern portion of the Cauca biogeographic province (230 km NE from Talara) has comparable climatic conditions to Late Pleistocene Talara. Understanding how the Talara region transitioned from this biodiverse ecosystem to the hyperarid coastal desert of today could have important implications for predicting biotic response and tipping points in the context of modern climate change.

Checking in on fossil sites: Advancing monitoring protocols and techniques for paleontological localities in National Park Service units

Checking in on fossil sites: Advancing monitoring protocols and techniques for paleontological localities in National Park Service units

Rekonstrukce oligocenního prostředí na severním okraji středohorského vulkanického komplexu – kombinace vulkanologie a paleontologie

Fossilised remains of plants and animals can be found at many sites of volcaniclastic deposits and intravolcanic sediments (limestones, diatomites, lignite) of the České středohoří Volcanic Complex. Many of these localities have been known and studied since the 19th century. Some of these localities even gained international recognition due to abnormal abundance of fossil material. Collected and carefully stored paleontological material is still intensively studied with an aim to better understand the evolution of life but also environmental changes in Central Europe during Cenozoic. Combination of paleontology and volcanology has a potential to better constrain the paleo-environmental interpretations, as the two geological branches use different methods and gathered results can be confirmed by independent techniques. For this reason, our research focused on less-known paleontological locality at Starý Šachov, which provides interesting exposure documenting relations between volcanic activity, surrounding environment and biosphere during early stage of the České středohoří Volcanic Complex formation. The site Starý Šachov, also referred to as Malý Šachov (Radoň 2001), belongs to the basanitic Lower Oligocene Ústí Fm. of the České středohoří Volcanic Complex (sensu Cajz 2000) and is located at the northern margin of the České středohoří Mts. (Fig 1a). The Starý Šachov gorge exposes a sequence of pyroclastic rocks, capped with basanite lava (Fig. 1b), which was dated to 30.70 ± 0.45 Ma (K-Ar, bulk- rock). The pyroclastic sequence overlays redeposited volcaniclastic and intravolcanic sedimentary rocks (Fig. 1c). The volcaniclastic layers in the lower part of the sequence, where they alternate with intravolcanic sediments, consist of a mixture of basaltic epiclasts, and redeposited pyroclasts mixed with quartz and K-feldspar grains (Fig. 2a). This association suggests a short fluvial transport of volcaniclastic material from the growing volcanic complex, mixed with clastic material of the poorly solidified Merboltice Fm. sandstones representing the intimate bedrock of the locality. The pyroclastic sequence starts with deposits dominated by glassy non-vesiculated lapilli (Figs 1e and 2b, c) later replaced by deposits dominated by highly vesiculated lapilli (Figs 1d and 2d). The light-coloured sediments from the lower part of the succession contain abundant paleontological material. Clusters of white strongly flattened and crushed mollusc shells (Figs 3a, d, f, g) occur in whitish to light grey thinly bedded claystones. Together with molluscs, small cracked ostracod shells (Figs 4a–c) and caddisfly (Trichoptera) larval cases (Figs 4e, f ) are very abundant. Very rarely, twigs of plants from the Taxodiaceae family (Radoň 2001) and indeterminable leaf fragments were found. In dark coaly clays, undercut ostracod valves are abundant as well as in light coloured clays. Small rounded seeds of water lily-like plants (Fig. 4h) and fragments of frog bones (Fig. 4i) occur in larger numbers in the coaly clays. Gyrogonites of charophytes (Figs 4d, g) and only three shells of freshwater gastropods were found in the redeposited volcaniclastic layer underlaying the light clays. Unlike the compressed and crushed gastropod shells of the overlying clays, these three shells are spatially preserved. They belong to the species Planorbarius blazkai (Klika 1891) and Stagnicola sp.Based on the described taphocenosis, sedimentary and pyroclastic deposits we may reconstruct the paleoenvironment of this locality in Early Oligocene (Fig. 5). The landscape prior to the volcanic activity can be characterized as alluvial plain on the northern periphery of a growing volcanic complex. In this plain, braiding rivers were transporting and depositing volcaniclastic material as well as quartz grains of the poorly solidified Merboltice Fm. sandstones. Numerous oxbow lakes from abandoned meanders represented static water bodies. Such environment explains the observed biotic assemblages, dominated by flowing water preferring like trichoptera, with sporadic finds of static water elements like water lily-like plants, which may be either redeposited or reflect presence of minor static water bodies (oxbow lakes). The water rich environment is reflected also in the character of the subsequent volcanic activity. The phreatomagmatic pyroclastic deposits suggest that the eruption started in water- saturated environment (Surtseyan style eruption in a shallow lake or marsh) and later turned into the drier style (Strombolian) as the volcano emerged above the water body. The volcanic activity was terminated by lava emission.

History of Polish Canidae (Carnivora, Mammalia) and Their Biochronological Implications on the Eurasian Background.

The remains of 12 canid species that date back ca. 4.9 myr have been found at 116 paleontological localities. Among these localities, eight are dated to the Pliocene age, 12 are dated to the Early Pleistocene age, 12 are from the Middle Pleistocene age, while the most numerous group includes 84 sites from the Late Pleistocene-Holocene age. Some, especially older forms such as Eucyon odessanus and Nyctereutes donnezani, have only been found at single sites, while the remains of species from the genus Lycaon, Canis and Vulpes have been recorded at numerous sites from the last 2 myr. Ancient canids such as Eucyon and Nyctereutes had already vanished from Poland in the Earliest Pleistocene, between 2.5 and 2.2 myr ago. Poland's extant canid fauna is characterised by the presence of two new species, which spread into the territory due to a human introduction (Nyctereutes procyonoides) or natural expansion (Canis aureus). Research indicates a strong competition between dogs, especially between Lycaon, Canis and Cuon, with a strong lycaon-limiting effect on the wolf between 2.5 and 0.4 myr ago. After the extinction of Lycaon lycaonoides, Canis lupus evolved rapidly, increasing in number and size, and taking over the niche occupied by Lycaon. In order to reduce competition, the body size of Cuon alpinus gradually reduced, and it became an animal adapted to the forest, highland and mountain environments. Generally, the history of canids in Poland is similar to that known of Eurasia with some noteworthy events, such as the early occurrence of Canis cf. etruscus from Węże 2 (2.9-2.6 myr ago), Lycaon falconeri from Rębielice Królewskie 1A or one of the latest occurrences of L. lycaonoides from Draby 3 (430-370 kyr). Predominantly lowland or upland in the southern part and devoid of significant ecological barriers, Poland is also an important migration corridor in the East-West system. This 500-600 km wide corridor was the Asian gateway to Europe, from where species of an eastern origin penetrated the continent's interior. In colder periods, it was in turn a region through which boreal species or those associated with the mammoth steppe retreated.

Insights into paleoecology of the Bajo Barreal Formation (Upper Cretaceous), Patagonia, Argentina

We present the first integrate paleoecological study which includes both previous and new sedimentological, paleoclimate, fauna and flora analyses in the Bajo Barreal Formation (Upper Cretaceous), Golfo San Jorge Basin, Patagonia, Argentina. The study was carried out principally at the Estancia (=Ranch) Ocho Hermanos Locality, although other significant paleontological localities of the Bajo Barreal Formation are included. In the Estancia Ocho Hermanos Locality, the paleoenvironment is characterized by low sinuosity single-channelized fluvial systems, with well-developed proximal floodplains. Paleoclimate was interpreted as warm and humid with marked seasonality. This locality was dominated by dinosaurs, including sauropods (titanosaurs and rebbachisaurids) and theropods (abelisaurids and megaraptorids), but other vertebrates, such as pterosaurs, crocodyliforms, turtles and fishes were also part of the paleoecosystem. In addition, the first stable isotope analysis on Mesozoic teeth (dinosaurs and crocodyliforms) from the Golfo San Jorge Basin was conducted. This new information revealed different sources of water utilized by theropod and sauropod dinosaurs, allowed to infer preliminary modes of life for crocodyliforms, and provided information about diet of these Mesozoic organisms. Ground-level and mid-height feeding are interpreted for rebbachisaurid and titanosaurid sauropods, respectively. Ferns are considered the main non-arboreal component of this ecosystem and possibly an important source of the diet of sauropods, whereas angiosperms (eudicots and monocots) would have been present as well. On the other hand, gymnosperms, mainly Araucariaceae, and in a minor proportion Podocarpaceae, and Cheirolepidiaceae, would encompass the arboreal component of this environment. Abelisaurids could be recognized as one of the top predators of this paleoecosystem, in part due to their relative abundance, in relation to other carnivores. Finally, in a broad context, this study augments our understanding of Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems of south-central Patagonia and contributes for future comparisons with other chronologically equivalent localities, principally, from the Southern Hemisphere.

Catalogue of Cuban fossil and subfossil birds

All information relating to the Cuban palaeo-avifauna since the first published list in 1928 to the present, is summarised and presented as a catalogue with commentary. I update data on the composition, systematics and distribution of fossil and subfossil birds from Quaternary (Late Pleistocene-Holocene interval) deposits in Cuba, with a necessary critical review. Thirty-six taxa (30 extinct, two poorly represented and apparently also extinct, and four extirpated) are listed as valid records in Section I, under 14 families, with Teratornithidae the only extinct family grouping. Birds of prey and scavengers constitute 72.2% of these taxa, with Accipitridae (22.2%) and Falconidae (16.6%) the best represented, followed by nocturnal raptors. Sections II and III comment on and discuss material referred to 29 taxa, of which one is of dubious identity and the others misidentified and / or synonymised at class, family, genus or species level. Cuban neospecies currently known in paleontological localities throughout the archipelago are listed in Section IV; 49 are identified (14 considered today as endemic species, including six endemic genera) in 26 families.

Výsledky geologického průzkumu kladenského souvrství severně od Nýřan v letech 2007–2021

Coal-bearing sediments of the Radnice and Nýřany members (Kladno Formation) were explored in the SW part of the Plzeň Basin in an area between the villages Pankrác and Rochlov during field seasons of 2007–2021. The goal of the research was to find sites where the Whetstone Horizon (Radnice Member) and the Main Nýřany Coal Seam with fauna-bearing sapropel coal occur close to the surface. Both horizons bear record of the Fossil- Lagerstätte-type, which makes such areas promising for their future exploration as paleontological localities. Based on the combined information from old mining maps, boreholes and geological maps, we suggested sites suitable for future shallow excavations and paleontological research of the fossil-bearing horizons. We tested and further refined our assumptions based on evaluation of archival data from 51 shallow pits and 3 shallow boreholes. The Whetstone Horizon has been found in six different sites at depths between 2 and 7 m. Besides the typical architecture of the Whetstone Horizon composed of the coarse-grained light-coloured tuff at the base (so-called “bělka”) and overlain by laminated tuffitic mudstone (so-called Whetstone) tuffite – tuff – coal seam, also tuffite – tuff – mudstone, tuff – mudstone, tuffite – coal seam and tuffite – arkosic sandstone sequences have been documented. The pits demonstrated that the Whetstone Horizon features variable thicknesses over a short distance. Flora and fauna found in the bělka tuff bed is documented. The Main Nýřany Coal Seam with bands of sapropel coal has been found in two pits.

San Josecito Cave and Its Paleoecological Contributions for Quaternary Studies in Mexico

San Josecito Cave (2250 m elevation) is located nearby Aramberri, Nuevo León, northeastern Mexico, with excavations occurring in 1935–1941 and 1990. It is a paleontological cave and the significance of its faunal data rests in the understanding of the Quaternary ecosystems of the Mexican Plateau and the Southern Plains. This significance is underpinned by a consideration of associated stratigraphic and geochronological data. The fauna is composed of mollusks, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. More than 30 extinct vertebrate species have been identified, constituting one of the most important Quaternary localities in the Americas. Radiocarbon dates and faunal correlations indicate the excavated deposits represent an interval of time between 45,000 and 11,000 14C years BP. The current synthesis demonstrates that the previous view of the assemblage as a single local fauna is erroneous and that, instead, several successive local faunas are present within a stratigraphic framework. This finding underscores the need for detailed studies of single localities in building paleoenvironmental models. As a corollary, results point to the necessity of including all vertebrate classes represented from a locality in building those models. In addition, the field and analytical methodologies demonstrate the importance of very detailed paleontological excavations, with precise spatial and temporal controls, to assess the taphonomic history of a locality, construct a stratigraphic and geochronological framework, and infer the paleoecological conditions during the time span considered based on the number of local faunas represented. The recognition of San Josecito Cave as an important Late Pleistocene vertebrate paleontological locality is enhanced with the consideration of its faunal data for paleoenvironment reconstruction and possible contribution to Quaternary paleoclimatic modeling.

Tracking a “Prehistoric Pompeii” , Rhinoland and Crocodilia: New Discoveries And Interpretations Of Ipolytarnóc (N Hungary) Lower Miocene Track Site

The transnational Novohrad-Nograd Geopark situated in Northern Hungary and Southern Slovakia has several important Neogene fossil sites developed for geotourism. One of them is the lower Miocene paleontological locality complex at Ipolytarnoc , which has been well known since the middle of the 19th century. The site is the main geotouristic gateway to the geopark, where high-tech interpretation resources explain the geological background and fossil resources to visitors, like the rich shark-tooth-bearing intertidal sandstone, the terrestrial sandstone and rhyolite tuff containing a petrified forest and leaves, and the great number of animal tracks in a relatively small area. Since 2015, the authors have identified several thousand footprints and body impressions, including new fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal ichnotaxa, among others. Re-interpretation of the paleohabitats identifies interfingering terrestrial (Rhinoland) and intertidal pool (Crocodilia) landscapes. Similar track assemblages of similar age indicate intensive tectonic uplift and fluviatile-lacustrine sediment accumulations in the Western, Central and Eastern Paratethys forced by Neogene African plate movements.

A Reexamination of the Paleoindian Bison Kill at the Alexon Site, Florida

ABSTRACT A chert object embedded in the cranium of a bison found at the Alexon site, Florida, is cited as direct evidence of human and megafauna interaction at the end of the Pleistocene in the American Southeast. Previous analyses identified the chert object as the mid-section of a lanceolate projectile point. Radiocarbon ages on unpurified bison collagen from two separate bison elements yielded Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene ages. We were able to relocate the site and examine the stratigraphy, but our attempts to radiocarbon date the bone failed. We obtained micro-computed tomography scans and used digital imaging software to generate a three-dimensional rendering of the embedded object. Finally, the skull and embedded object were visually examined. We conclude that the object embedded in the skull is not an artifact and that the Alexon site is a paleontological locality.

Alluvial deposit stratigraphy from the Salto de Piedra Paleontological Locality (Argentine Pampas): evidence from last glacial-interglacial cycles

Alluvial deposit stratigraphy from the Salto de Piedra Paleontological Locality (Argentine Pampas): evidence from last glacial-interglacial cycles

The expansion of the Acheulian to the Southeastern Ethiopian Highlands: Insights from the new early Pleistocene site-complex of Melka Wakena

Current models of early hominin biological and cultural evolution are shaped almost entirely by the data accumulated from the East African Rift System (EARS) over the last decades. In contrast, little is known about the archaeological record from the high-elevation regions on either side of the Rift. Melka Wakena is a newly discovered site-complex on the Southeastern Ethiopian Highlands (SEH) (>2300 m above mean sea level) just east of the central sector of the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER), where eight archaeological and two paleontological localities were discovered to date. Nine archaeological horizons from three localities were tested so far, all dated to the second half of the early Pleistocene (∼1.6 to >0.7 Ma). All the lithic assemblages belong to the Acheulian technocomplex. Here we report on geochronological, stratigraphic, paleontological and lithic technological aspects of the tested localities and contextualize them in the broader framework of hominin cultural evolution in eastern Africa. Findings from Melka Wakena, assessed against the backdrop of the few other highland sites (Melka Kunture and Gadeb), support a scenario of expansion rather than dispersal from the Rift to the highlands. When considered in the context of the Rift-highlands interface, results of the first-phase research at Melka Wakena help to parse existing general models into archaeologically testable hypotheses and demonstrate the site’s potential to contribute to research of early prehistory and to understanding the dynamics of early Pleistocene hominin populations in eastern Africa.

The large jaguar that lived in the past of México: a forgotten fossil

In the 1970’s, Oswald Mooser delivered to the Instituto de Geologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, a fossil jaw recovered from the Chapala region, Jalisco, that he identified as Panthera onca. The collection label indicates doubts about this taxonomic assignment; an issue that remains unsolved. The aim of this work is to study the taxonomy and biogeographic implications of this material. With this aim, morphological and morphometric comparisons were made using fossil and current feline specimens. Additionally, a review of the fossil record of Pa. onca in Mexico was carried out using the material deposited in collections and reported in the literature. Our results indicate that the jaw from Jalisco belongs to a large Pleistocene form of jaguar historically called Pa. onca augusta. With the present record, there is a total of 10 paleontological localities in Mexico where fossil jaguar records have been reported. Curiously, only one of these locations matches with the current distribution of this feline in North America, the San Josecito Cave in Nuevo Leon. With this information, there is evidence to confirm that the range distribution of the jaguar has been reduced significantly since the Pleistocene to the present.

Whitneyan (Middle Oligocene) Rodents from Obritsch Ranch (Stark County, North Dakota) and a Review of Whitneyan Rodent Fossil Record

Until recently, few well-described rodent faunae from the Whitneyan North American Land Mammal Age [NALMA] were known, hindering studies of rodent diversity, biogeography, and evolutionary patterns during the Oligocene. This study describes a new Whitneyan rodent assemblage from the Obritsch Ranch paleontological locality in the Little Badlands region of North Dakota. Specimens were collected from three stratigraphically restricted sampling intervals within the middle to upper Brule Formation, resulting in the recognition of fourteen rodent species, five of which are elsewhere known to first appear in Whitneyan faunae. Described is one new species, the eomyid Paradjidaumo obritschorum, and the first cranial material of the heteromyid rodent ProharrymysKorth and Branciforte, 2007. The rodent fauna from the upper two sampling intervals at Obritsch Ranch and the uppermost fauna recently described from the nearby Fitterer Ranch paleontological locality share four taxa in common with the late Whitneyan Blue Ash local fauna from southwestern South Dakota, indicating these two North Dakota rodent faunae are also from the late Whitneyan. Increasing knowledge of Whitneyan rodent faunae in North America reveals unusually high survivorship of rodent species from the older Orellan NALMA into the Whitneyan NALMA and much geographic variation in the diversity, distribution, and relative abundance of different rodent families between individual Whitneyan rodent faunae. Those factors help explain prior difficulties in differentiating Orellan and Whitneyan rodent faunae and in identifying biostratigraphically useful rodent taxa for the Whitneyan. Overall, Whitneyan rodent faunae from North America display an increase in the diversity of aplodontiids, cricetids, and sciurids and a decrease in eomyid and ischyromyid diversity relative to the Orellan.

Weathering by dolomite dissolution responsible for the formation of an important paleontological locality in the Prague Synform

Weathering by dolomite dissolution responsible for the formation of an important paleontological locality in the Prague Synform

Late Quaternary Chorus Frog (Pseudacris) from the Channel Islands, California

Fossil and subfossil remains of the vertebrate faunas from the northern Channel Islands, southern California, have been studied for many decades. Continued interest has focused on skeletal remains of birds, rodents, and mammoths from archaeological and paleontological localities, but considerably less attention has been placed on the detailed description of the herpetofauna (salamanders, anurans [frogs and toads], lizards, and snakes) on the Channel Islands. We present descriptions of an ilium of an anuran from Santa Rosa Island (Larramendy North; radiocarbon dating at least 13,393 calibrated years ago) and two tibiofibulae San Miguel Island (Daisy Cave) dating from earliest and middle late Holocene layers. We identify the fossil ilium as Pseudacris sp. (chorus frog): 1) it is the lowest level that skeletal morphology permits us to attempt, 2) realizing that it appears morphologically closest to P. regilla, and 3) yet realizing that not all species of Pseudacris and Hyla have been directly compared or are understood. The extant amphibian fauna on these islands is depauperate. The remains presented here represent the first description of a fossil anuran from the northern Channel Islands. It is now understood that a chorus frog lived on glacial-age Santarosae Island, yet it is not understood when its distribution was reduced to just the present two largest islands, Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz.

Assessing the proposed pre-last glacial maximum human occupation of North America at Coats-Hines-Litchy, Tennessee, and other sites

Genomic studies indicate that the first Pleistocene foragers who entered North America diverged from ancestral populations in Beringia sometime after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM); however, several archaeological sites in North America have been proposed to predate the LGM. We present the results of our excavation and analysis of one such site, Coats-Hines-Litchy, Tennessee, which show that this site is a paleontological locality containing a geofact assemblage that pre-dates the LGM. Other sites in North America that purportedly predate the LGM occur in geomorphic contexts that are also conducive to the formation of geofact assemblages. As such, we propose that the reported artifacts from these sites were created by natural processes. No sites in North America currently provide credible evidence of a pre-LGM occupation.

Feeding Ecology and Morphology Make a Bamboo Specialist Vulnerable to Climate Change

Animals with dietary specializations can be used to link climate to specific ecological drivers of endangerment. Only two mammals, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in Asia and the greater bamboo lemur (Prolemur simus) in Madagascar, consume the nutritionally poor and mechanically challenging culm or trunk of woody bamboos [1-3]. Even though the greater bamboo lemur is critically endangered, paleontological evidence shows that it was once broadly distributed [4, 5]. Here, integrating morphological, paleontological, and ecological evidence, we project the effects of climate change on greater bamboo lemurs. Both the giant panda and the greater bamboo lemur are shown to share diagnostic dental features indicative of a bamboo diet, thereby providing an ecometric indicator [6, 7] of diet preserved in the fossil record. Analyses of bamboo feeding in living populations show that bamboo culm is consumed only during the dry season and that the greater bamboo lemur is currently found in regions with the shortest dry season. In contrast, paleontological localities of the greater bamboo lemurs have the longest dry seasons. Future projections show that many present-day greater bamboo lemur populations will experience prolonged dry seasons similar to those of the localities where only fossils of the greater bamboo lemur are found. Whereas abundant foods such as bamboo allow feeding specialists to thrive, even a moderate change in seasonality may outstrip the capacity of greater bamboo lemurs to persist on theirmechanically demanding food source. Coupling known changes in species distribution with high-resolution ecological and historical data helps to identify extinction risks.

Identification of Macrofossils within Stone Tools: a possibility for tracing the source of artifacts?

This paper discusses the application of malacological identification of macrofossils in stone tools. A macroscopically distinct toolstone utilized by prehistoric peoples, reported widely in archaeological consulting literature across central and southern Alberta (Meyer et al. 2007; de Mille 2009; Bohach 2010; Porter 2014), features fossilized root traces and occasional large fossil shells. These fossils can be identified, and correlated with temporal and geologic formations indicative of the environments within which the taxa occurred. Artifacts with fossils morphologically coherent with Hydrobia, Lioplacodes, and Viviparus spp. are identified in stone artifacts analyzed in this paper. These taxa are consistent with depositional environments of Paleocene period Paskapoo Formation sedimentary rocks, particularly, as identified at the Blindman-Red Deer River confluence and Joffre roadcut paleontological localities (Hoffman and Stockey 2011). In this paper we explore how the identification of these fossils offer clues to the procurement areas which were sought out by prehistoric toolmakers. We do not suggest that all Red Deer Mudstone is from these localities, though the fossil molluscs presented so far do not refute this conclusion, but we do suggest that identifying large fossil shells can be a critical diagnostic tool for identifying the geologic origin of artifacts.

Consequences of Lower Miocene CO2 degassing on geological and paleoenvironmental settings of the Ahníkov/Merkur Mine paleontological locality (Most Basin, Czech Republic)

Consequences of Lower Miocene CO2 degassing on geological and paleoenvironmental settings of the Ahníkov/Merkur Mine paleontological locality (Most Basin, Czech Republic)