Marylène Patou-Mathis

Middle/Upper Paleolithic interface in Vindija Cave (Croatia): New results and interpretations

Vindija Cave in Croatia is a well-known site because of its association with fossil hominids and Middle and Upper Paleolithic stone industries. Several publications have discussed Neanderthal remains found alongside a Mousterian industry in Level G3 and Upper Paleolithic bone points in Level G1. This paper presents recent results of faunal and lithic analysis from the G1 transitional level of the site, as well as a revision of the bone tools. Taphonomy of large mammals and hominid bones was examined. Although no human remains were found within the faunal assemblage, the results of this analysis are an important addition to understanding site formation processes, as well as Neanderthal behavior during the so-called transitional period. Based on the taphonomy of faunal and human remains from Vindija cave Level G1, we can strongly suggest that the Neanderthals were active predators. Human occupations were short and alternating with carnivore occupations.

Isotopic analyses suggest mammoth and plant in the diet of the oldest anatomically modern humans from far southeast Europe

Relatively high 15N abundances in bone collagen of early anatomically modern humans in Europe have often been interpreted as a specific consumption of freshwater resources, even if mammoth is an alternative high 15N prey. At Buran-Kaya III, access to associated fauna in a secured archaeological context and application of recently developed isotopic analyses of individuals amino acids offer the opportunity to further examine this hypothesis. The site of Buran-Kaya III is located in south Crimea and has provided a rich archaeological sequence including two Upper Palaeolithic layers, from which human fossils were retrieved and directly dated as from 37.8 to 33.1 ka cal BP. Results from bulk collagen of three human remains suggests the consumption of a high 15N prey besides the contribution of saiga, red deer, horse and hare, whose butchered remains were present at the site. In contrast to bulk collagen, phenylalanine and glutamic acid 15N abundances reflect not only animal but also plant protein contributions to omnivorous diet, and allow disentangling aquatic from terrestrial resource consumption. The inferred human trophic position values point to terrestrial-based diet, meaning a significant contribution of mammoth meat, in addition to a clear intake of plant protein.