From feathers to food: Reconstructing the complete exploitation of avifaunal resources by Neanderthals at Fumane cave, unit A9

Fiore, Ivana; Gala, Monica; Romandini, Matteo; Cocca, Enzo; Tagliacozzo, Antonio; Peresani, Marco

doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2015.11.142

Cited by 44 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…For this reason, the combination of old and new methods and tools for BSM analysis is essential when the presence of cut marks may lead to relevant evolutionary hypotheses. Furthermore, we strongly agree with the interpretation of these cut marks as a product of talon extraction, or claw sheath removal, independent of the phalanx in which the traces are present (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24). This observation is especially supported by neo-taphonomical experimentation, thus aiding in the construction of our interpretation (15).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…This includes human chewing, green breakage, burning, and any traces of cooking BSMs on raptor bones or any other element in most of the faunal assemblage. Regarding species and anatomical selection, to date, cut marks are yet to be found on the pedal phalanges of other birds, except for raptors, excluding the case of Baume Gigny and Fumane A9 (14,17). This can be further extended to the case of large carnivore claws, which would be more common if they were to be used as tools.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, evidence of symbolic behavior among Neanderthals is still scarce, especially if we compare this with the subsequent inflation of symbolism of modern humans (2,47). Even so, the claims for symbolism among Neanderthals are much more frequent than among any other human species (1,(4)(5)(6)(7)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Châtelperronian Neanderthals of Cova Foradada (Calafell, Spain) used imperial eagle phalanges for symbolic purposes

et al. 2019

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Evidence for the symbolic behavior of Neanderthals in the use of personal ornaments is relatively scarce. Among the few ornaments documented, eagle talons, which were presumably used as pendants, are the most frequently recorded. This phenomenon appears concentrated in a specific area of southern Europe during a span of 80 thousand years. Here, we present the analysis of one eagle pedal phalange recovered from the Châtelperronian layer of Foradada Cave (Spain). Our research broadens the known geographical and temporal range of this symbolic behavior, providing the first documentation of its use among the Iberian populations, as well as of its oldest use in the peninsula. The recurrent appearance of large raptor talons throughout the Middle Paleolithic time frame, including their presence among the last Neanderthal populations, raises the question of the survival of some cultural elements of the Middle Paleolithic into the transitional Middle to Upper Paleolithic assemblages and beyond.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Châtelperronian Neanderthals of Cova Foradada (Calafell, Spain) used imperial eagle phalanges for symbolic purposes

et al. 2019

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“…While few Neandertal archaeological sites have been found dating to the Late Middle Pleistocene, a more detailed record is preserved for the Upper Pleis tocene, particularly in MIS3 (Peresani, 2011). Remains of small sized fauna bearing traces of anthropogenic modifications, have also been found, which shed light on the range of species hunted by Neandertals beyond functional or alimentary purposes (Alhaique et al, 2004;Fiore et al, 2004Fiore et al, , 2016Peresani et al, 2011b;Romandini et al, 2014b;2016). This evidence has been previously recorded in the Mousterian and Uluzzian levels of Fumane cave (FC), where several bones of V. vulpes are cutmarked (Romandini, 2012;Tagliacozzo et al, 2013).…”

Section: The Middle Palaeolithic Is Well Recorded In Northernmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Three cranial fragments (1 hemimandible fragment and 2 cranial fragments) from a possible adult Alopex lagopus are exclusively present in A5A5+A6. Even though the analysed RN is limited, it is possible to notice how the balance between anatomical et al, 1982Guerreschi et al, 2002) where intense or repeated occupations are recorded in upper levels (4234) by denser amounts of remains than in the lower ones (5244) (Arzarello & Peretto, 2005). Faunal remains are dominated by ungulates (tab.…”

Section: Fumane Cavementioning

confidence: 99%

Derniers néanderthaliens et exploitation des petits mammifères en italie du nord : fortuité, nécessité ou variété de chasse?

Romandini¹,

Hohenstein²,

Fiore³

et al. 2018

quaternaire

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This work reviews the anthropogenic exploitation of small mammals during a crucial time span for the reconstruction of human behavior at the dawn of the Middle Upper Palaeolithic boundary in the Northern Mediterranean region. Data are sourced from faunal assemblages recovered in the final Mousterian levels of Grotta di Fumane (A5A6 complex) and the Late Mousterian levels of Riparo Tagliente (levels 35 and 36) and Grotta di San Bernardino (units II and IV), in the North of Italy. As a whole, these records mostly comprise ungulates, rather than bird and carnivore bones, and derive from primary accumulation processes more than from postdepositional activities or direct carnivore actions. Broadly, the taphonomic analyses reveal the presence of human modifications referable to different butchering activities on almost all of the ungulates. Small mammal bones are present throughout the late MP sequences in variable quantities, with canids and rodents represented in each of the assemblages. This work highlights new qualitative taphonomic records produced by humans within a large area that reveal Neandertals' exploitation of small mammals as game. At Grotta di Fumane, foxes have been butchered in order to exploit fur and meat. Similarly, at Grotta Maggiore di San Bernardino and Riparo Tagliente some large rodents bear cutmarks related to the same purposes. Krapina Cave is the only other Mousterian site containing evidence of small game exploitation (beaver and marmot) that is in close geographical proximity to the caves analyzed here.

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Textural, microstructural, and compositional characteristics of Fe‐based geomaterials and Upper Paleolithic ocher in the Lessini Mountains, Northeast Italy: Implications for provenance studies

Cavallo

Fontana

Gonzato³

et al. 2017

Geoarchaeology

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Provenance research of archaeological ocher contributes to understanding the capabilities of prehistoric humans to select, process, and treat suitable raw materials for symbolic and utilitarian purposes. The western part of the Lessini Mountains in the Veneto region of northeast Italy is an ideal location for this type of study as it features several different Fe-rich deposits, and many examples of archaeological ocher have been found in the nearby Fumane Cave and Tagliente Rockshelter Upper Paleolithic sites. Sourcing areas are often identified through the use of geochemical studies; however, microscopic techniques can also be used with the benefit of providing more detailed information about accessory minerals and textural characteristics of the material. One of the goals of our study was to demonstrate the potential in using polarizing light microscopy supported by scanning electron microscopy coupled with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer in research of this type. We studied geological source samples and archaeological materials from the sites, the results of which are very promising in terms of shedding light on the sourcing of prehistoric ocher in this region.

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From feathers to food: Reconstructing the complete exploitation of avifaunal resources by Neanderthals at Fumane cave, unit A9

Cited by 44 publications

References 51 publications

The Châtelperronian Neanderthals of Cova Foradada (Calafell, Spain) used imperial eagle phalanges for symbolic purposes

The Châtelperronian Neanderthals of Cova Foradada (Calafell, Spain) used imperial eagle phalanges for symbolic purposes

Derniers néanderthaliens et exploitation des petits mammifères en italie du nord : fortuité, nécessité ou variété de chasse?

Textural, microstructural, and compositional characteristics of Fe‐based geomaterials and Upper Paleolithic ocher in the Lessini Mountains, Northeast Italy: Implications for provenance studies

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