New analyses of faunal and lithic remains from stratigraphic Zone I (the top 15 layers) of the Iberomaurusian site of Tamar Hat, provide new data for understanding the function of this site and various activities carried out there. The occupation of Tamar Hat Zone I occurred in a prevailing mountainous environment which especially favoured game such as Barbary sheep. Zooarchaeological study of mammal remains revealed behaviours and technical processes which are related to hunting activity and the various stages of processing and butchering these animals. In addition, a technofunctional analysis of the backed bladelets indicates impact damage typical of the kind produced on projectile points used in hunting. Strong similarities in techniques and behaviours were observed in all of the occupation phases of Zone I.Résumé Le réexamen des restes fauniques et lithiques de la zone stratigraphique I du site ibéromaurusien de Tamar Hat, a permis d'apporter de nouveaux éléments nécessaires à la compréhension de la fonction du site et des différentes activités qui y ont été effectuées. Les Ibéromaurusiens de la zone considérée évoluaient dans un environnement mixte dominé par la montagne ce qui orienta leur choix vers le gibier le plus abondant, le mouflon à manchettes. L'examen archéozoologique des restes de mammifères a révélé des comportements et des procédés techniques liés à la chasse et au mode de traitement de ce gibier principal. De plus, l'analyse technofonctionnelle des lamelles à bord abattu confirme la pratique de la chasse par l'observation de stigmates d'impacts inhérents aux pointes de projectiles. De fortes analogies et une récurrence des techniques et des comportements ont été observées durant toutes les phases d'occupation de la zone I.
We express our gratitude to H. De Lumley, St. and R. Orliac for giving us access to the collections of the Institut de Paléontologie Humaine. Sincere thanks also to C. Daujeard and L. Crépin, for their revision, feedback and access to the stereomicroscope at the IPH (C. Daujeard). We thank E. Stoetzel for communicating her unpublished data from the microfauna anaysis, as well as for her revision and comments. Thanks to S. Chibane for discussions about the Iberomaurusien and the exploitation of the terrestrial vertebrates from Abri Alain. We thank in particular P. Granchon (INRAP) for passing on the dissertation and L. Sari for help. All our gratitude also to M. Cammas for the graphics in figure 1. We thank the two reviewers, M. Nami and the second anonymous reviewer for their comments and sound advice.
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