Late Mousterian subsistence and cave use in Dalmatia: the zooarchaeology of Mujina Pećina, Croatia

Abstract

The faunal assemblage from Mujina Peć ina provides an initial glimpse of Late MiddlePalaeolithic food procurement, management, and site use, in Dalmatia, Croatia. Radiometric dates place the entire sequence at about 42 kyr in the middle of OIS 3 (Oxygen Isotope Stage 3) (Rink et al., 2002). Mujina Peć ina is located along a potential migration corridor for hominin populations moving into Europe from western Asia. The faunal composition shifts from a codominance of red deer and chamois þ ibex in Layer D1 þ D2 that formed during relatively cold conditions to a clear dominance of wild caprids followed by large bovids and equids in Layer B þ C that formed during relatively warm conditions. Although non-hominin carnivores played a significant role in the modification of the faunal assemblages throughout the stratigraphic sequence, the Late Mousterian faunal assemblage from Mujina Peć ina shows the hominins to be competent hunters within a context of considerable competition from non-hominin carnivores. These 'mixed' hominin-carnivore signatures are pulled apart through a detailed taphonomic analysis of this well-excavated assemblage. The Mujina Peć ina assemblage thus provides a significant point of reference for a broader-scale study of variability in Mousterian subsistence practices in their own right as well as within the context of the Initial Upper Palaeolithic in southeastern Europe.

Late Neandertals in Dalmatia: Site formation processes, chronology, climate change and human activity at Mujina Pećina, Croatia

“…These processes correspond to a relatively cold and aridic phase with warmer oscillations, followed by a period of generic environmental instability characterised by phases of slope erosion and runoff (probably corresponding to late GI-12 and GS-12), that removed a large part of the deposits formed under the slightly warmer conditions of the early interstadial GI-12 of the INTIMATE palaeoenvironmental record NGRIP sequence (Blockley et al, 2012). This result is in agreement with the faunal and archaeobotanical data available for the upper part of the sequence (Miracle, 2005;Karavanić et al, 2008). Despite all warmer oscillations, the general aspect of the sediment generally indicates relatively fresh conditions, with colder spikes, in accordance with the climatic variability of MIS3.…”

“…The faunal composition shifts from a codominance of red deer and chamois-ibex in Layer D1-D2, to a clear dominance of wild caprids followed by large bovids and equids in Layer B-C (Miracle, 2005:84). These faunal remains also show clear differences in species frequency between D1 and D2 (Miracle, 2005). There is strong evidence that people used the cave in autumn throughout the sequence (at least in some of the analysed layers), as well as for spring visits in level B (Miracle, 2005).…”

“…These faunal remains also show clear differences in species frequency between D1 and D2 (Miracle, 2005). There is strong evidence that people used the cave in autumn throughout the sequence (at least in some of the analysed layers), as well as for spring visits in level B (Miracle, 2005). Conversely, there is no evidence for human activity in Mujina in summer and winter, whereas bears occupied the cave in winter during the deposition of level B.…”

Late Neandertals in Dalmatia: Site formation processes, chronology, climate change and human activity at Mujina Pećina, Croatia

“…These processes correspond to a relatively cold and aridic phase with warmer oscillations, followed by a period of generic environmental instability characterised by phases of slope erosion and runoff (probably corresponding to late GI-12 and GS-12), that removed a large part of the deposits formed under the slightly warmer conditions of the early interstadial GI-12 of the INTIMATE palaeoenvironmental record NGRIP sequence (Blockley et al, 2012). This result is in agreement with the faunal and archaeobotanical data available for the upper part of the sequence (Miracle, 2005;Karavanić et al, 2008). Despite all warmer oscillations, the general aspect of the sediment generally indicates relatively fresh conditions, with colder spikes, in accordance with the climatic variability of MIS3.…”

“…The faunal composition shifts from a codominance of red deer and chamois-ibex in Layer D1-D2, to a clear dominance of wild caprids followed by large bovids and equids in Layer B-C (Miracle, 2005:84). These faunal remains also show clear differences in species frequency between D1 and D2 (Miracle, 2005). There is strong evidence that people used the cave in autumn throughout the sequence (at least in some of the analysed layers), as well as for spring visits in level B (Miracle, 2005).…”

“…These faunal remains also show clear differences in species frequency between D1 and D2 (Miracle, 2005). There is strong evidence that people used the cave in autumn throughout the sequence (at least in some of the analysed layers), as well as for spring visits in level B (Miracle, 2005). Conversely, there is no evidence for human activity in Mujina in summer and winter, whereas bears occupied the cave in winter during the deposition of level B.…”

A palaeoecological view of the last Neanderthals at the crossroads of south‐central Europe and the central Mediterranean: long‐term stability or pronounced environmental change with human responses

“…Chamois and ibex are also present throughout the stratigraphic sequence, but their frequencies rise more or less steadily from layer E2A upward. The faunal assemblage of the D‐complex and layer B is dominated by wild caprids, further supporting the aforementioned cooler conditions in the upper layers (Miracle, 2005). Other taxa are present in low frequencies and more or less constant over time (Miracle, 2005; Miracle and Radović, unpublished data).…”

“…The faunal assemblage of the D‐complex and layer B is dominated by wild caprids, further supporting the aforementioned cooler conditions in the upper layers (Miracle, 2005). Other taxa are present in low frequencies and more or less constant over time (Miracle, 2005; Miracle and Radović, unpublished data). The relative frequency of bear increases significantly in layer B, probably related to a more regular use of Mujina as a den (Miracle 2005).…”

Late Neandertals in Dalmatia: Site formation processes, chronology, climate change and human activity at Mujina Pećina, Croatia

“…These processes correspond to a relatively cold and aridic phase with warmer oscillations, followed by a period of generic environmental instability characterised by phases of slope erosion and runoff (probably corresponding to late GI-12 and GS-12), that removed a large part of the deposits formed under the slightly warmer conditions of the early interstadial GI-12 of the INTIMATE palaeoenvironmental record NGRIP sequence (Blockley et al, 2012). This result is in agreement with the faunal and archaeobotanical data available for the upper part of the sequence (Miracle, 2005;Karavanić et al, 2008). Despite all warmer oscillations, the general aspect of the sediment generally indicates relatively fresh conditions, with colder spikes, in accordance with the climatic variability of MIS3.…”

“…The faunal composition shifts from a codominance of red deer and chamois-ibex in Layer D1-D2, to a clear dominance of wild caprids followed by large bovids and equids in Layer B-C (Miracle, 2005:84). These faunal remains also show clear differences in species frequency between D1 and D2 (Miracle, 2005). There is strong evidence that people used the cave in autumn throughout the sequence (at least in some of the analysed layers), as well as for spring visits in level B (Miracle, 2005).…”

“…These faunal remains also show clear differences in species frequency between D1 and D2 (Miracle, 2005). There is strong evidence that people used the cave in autumn throughout the sequence (at least in some of the analysed layers), as well as for spring visits in level B (Miracle, 2005). Conversely, there is no evidence for human activity in Mujina in summer and winter, whereas bears occupied the cave in winter during the deposition of level B.…”

A palaeoecological view of the last Neanderthals at the crossroads of south‐central Europe and the central Mediterranean: long‐term stability or pronounced environmental change with human responses

“…Chamois and ibex are also present throughout the stratigraphic sequence, but their frequencies rise more or less steadily from layer E2A upward. The faunal assemblage of the D‐complex and layer B is dominated by wild caprids, further supporting the aforementioned cooler conditions in the upper layers (Miracle, 2005). Other taxa are present in low frequencies and more or less constant over time (Miracle, 2005; Miracle and Radović, unpublished data).…”

“…The faunal assemblage of the D‐complex and layer B is dominated by wild caprids, further supporting the aforementioned cooler conditions in the upper layers (Miracle, 2005). Other taxa are present in low frequencies and more or less constant over time (Miracle, 2005; Miracle and Radović, unpublished data). The relative frequency of bear increases significantly in layer B, probably related to a more regular use of Mujina as a den (Miracle 2005).…”

Late Neandertals in Dalmatia: Site formation processes, chronology, climate change and human activity at Mujina Pećina, Croatia

“…These processes correspond to a relatively cold and aridic phase with warmer oscillations, followed by a period of generic environmental instability characterised by phases of slope erosion and runoff (probably corresponding to late GI-12 and GS-12), that removed a large part of the deposits formed under the slightly warmer conditions of the early interstadial GI-12 of the INTIMATE palaeoenvironmental record NGRIP sequence (Blockley et al, 2012). This result is in agreement with the faunal and archaeobotanical data available for the upper part of the sequence (Miracle, 2005;Karavanić et al, 2008). Despite all warmer oscillations, the general aspect of the sediment generally indicates relatively fresh conditions, with colder spikes, in accordance with the climatic variability of MIS3.…”

“…The faunal composition shifts from a codominance of red deer and chamois-ibex in Layer D1-D2, to a clear dominance of wild caprids followed by large bovids and equids in Layer B-C (Miracle, 2005:84). These faunal remains also show clear differences in species frequency between D1 and D2 (Miracle, 2005). There is strong evidence that people used the cave in autumn throughout the sequence (at least in some of the analysed layers), as well as for spring visits in level B (Miracle, 2005).…”

“…These faunal remains also show clear differences in species frequency between D1 and D2 (Miracle, 2005). There is strong evidence that people used the cave in autumn throughout the sequence (at least in some of the analysed layers), as well as for spring visits in level B (Miracle, 2005). Conversely, there is no evidence for human activity in Mujina in summer and winter, whereas bears occupied the cave in winter during the deposition of level B.…”

A palaeoecological view of the last Neanderthals at the crossroads of south‐central Europe and the central Mediterranean: long‐term stability or pronounced environmental change with human responses

“…Chamois and ibex are also present throughout the stratigraphic sequence, but their frequencies rise more or less steadily from layer E2A upward. The faunal assemblage of the D‐complex and layer B is dominated by wild caprids, further supporting the aforementioned cooler conditions in the upper layers (Miracle, 2005). Other taxa are present in low frequencies and more or less constant over time (Miracle, 2005; Miracle and Radović, unpublished data).…”

“…The faunal assemblage of the D‐complex and layer B is dominated by wild caprids, further supporting the aforementioned cooler conditions in the upper layers (Miracle, 2005). Other taxa are present in low frequencies and more or less constant over time (Miracle, 2005; Miracle and Radović, unpublished data). The relative frequency of bear increases significantly in layer B, probably related to a more regular use of Mujina as a den (Miracle 2005).…”