Preliminary results of studies of the Valea Morilor Upper Palaeolithic site (Chişinău, Republic of Moldova): A new camp of mammoth hunters

Obada, Teodor; Plicht, Johannes van der; Маркова, А.К.; Prepelitsa, Afanasie

doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2012.04.015

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…Mammoths were monogastric herbivores, having a digestive physiology and diet similar to that of the woolly rhinoceros and the horse [5]. Although the consumption of mammoths by Palaeolithic humans has been controversial in comparison with mass hunting of species such as horses and bison, several authors have found evidence of this dietary behaviour, as has been deduced from Valea-Morilor excavations [6]. Probably, the hunting of mammoths was possible by tracking such pachyderms; Palaeolithic hunters could have caused stampedes as a hunting strategy, and attacked animals that could not maintain keep up with the herd.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Fat from Frozen Mammals Reveals Sources of Essential Fatty Acids Suitable for Palaeolithic and Neolithic Humans

et al. 2014

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The elucidation of the sources of n-3 fatty acids available for the humans in the Upper Palaeolithic and Neolithic is highly relevant in order to ascertain the availability of such nutrients in that time frame as well as to draw useful conclusions about healthy dietary habits for present-day humans. To this end, we have analysed fat from several frozen mammals found in the permafrost of Siberia (Russia). A total of 6 specimens were included in this study: 2 mammoths, i.e. baby female calf called “Lyuba” and a juvenile female called “Yuka”, both specimens approximately from the same time, i.e. Karginian Interstadial (41,000 and 34,000 years BP); two adult horses from the middle Holocene (4,600 and 4,400 years BP); and two bison very close to the Early Holocene (8,200 and 9,300 years BP). All samples were analysed by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GLC-MS) and GLC-flame ionization detector (GLC-FID). As demonstrated in this work, the fat of single-stomached mammals often consumed by Palaeolithic/Neolithic hunters contained suitable amounts of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, possibly in quantities sufficient to meet the today's recommended daily intake for good health. Moreover, the results also suggest that mammoths and horses at that time were hibernators.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Fat from Frozen Mammals Reveals Sources of Essential Fatty Acids Suitable for Palaeolithic and Neolithic Humans

et al. 2014

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“…10B) suggest their use as objects for a tent‐cover fixing. Parallel finds from Late Palaeolithic sites in eastern Europe, the Urals and West Siberia were interpreted as dwelling accessories (Pidoplichko 1978; Soffer 1993; Sergin 2001; Borziac et al 2007; Obada et al 2010; Chlachula & Serikov 2011). A similar function may have been fulfilled by the crania of mammoth (Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 96%

The MIS 3–2 environments of the middle Kolyma Basin: implications for the Ice Age peopling of northeast Arctic Siberia

Chlachula

Cheprasov

Новгородов

et al. 2021

Boreas

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The Kolyma region is historically famous for the unique finds of large Pleistocene fauna, yet, until very recently, absent of the time‐corresponding occupation sites. Quaternary geology and palaeontology investigations (2013–2019) in the middle reaches of the Kolyma River (NE Yakutia) have delivered new evidence on the Last Glacial (MIS 4–2) to Early Holocene sub‐arctic ecosystems and the past landscape dynamics retrieved from the fossiliferous bodies exposed from thawed grounds. The palaeoecology multi‐proxies from the MIS 3 (55–24 ka) cryolithic formations document riparian, larch‐dominated northern forests and open parklands with backwater channels, marshlands and lakes. The abundant skeletal remains of Pleistocene ungulates and carnivores, as well as relic flora point to long‐term biomass‐rich interstadial ecosystems and favourable Palaeolithic occupation habitats. Utilized animal bones, worked mammoth ivory and stone tools show the presence of pre‐modern humans in the northeast Russian Arctic >45 000 years ago. Flaked mammoth tusks suggest persistence of settlement during the Last Glacial Maximum in xeric and extremely cold (sub)arctic tundra. The postglacial climate shifts triggered major environmental and hydrological transformations. The final Pleistocene/Early Holocene warming brought restructuring of the Last Ice Age landscape and vanishing of the periglacial tundra‐steppe replaced by the present‐day larch‐dominated Siberian taiga. The mid‐Last Glacial human ecology records from the geographical limits of northeast Siberia have fundamental relevance for the reconstructions of the time trajectories and the natural conditions of peopling of Beringia.

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“…hunters chose the trapping of calves or adult mammoths, depending on different economic needs (Brugère, ). Moreover, ‘passive hunting’ in the winter, in the evening or at night, has been described (Obada et al ., ). To accomplish this, the group of hunters could attack several animals at the same time, to capture stragglers from the herd or as a scattered group.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Several mammoth remains show bone and skeletal traces, such as: impact scars and bones broken when fresh; cut marks and fractures; and narrow linear incisions identified as stone tool cuts and chop marks (Hoffecker et al ., 1991; Conard and Prindiville, ; Conard and Niven, ; Smith, ; Pitulko et al ., ). Also, Neanderthals used mammoth bones to build dwellings, to be used as permanent or temporary settlements (Svoboda et al ., ; Germonpré et al ., ;Obada et al ., ), and in some cases ‘symbolic’ areas have been discovered, in which mammoth bones appear to have been coated with ochre (Demay et al ., ). The sites at which mammoth remains appear are interpreted as butchering or scavenging sites, where family groups developed diverse food‐acquisition activities (Svoboda et al ., ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mammoth resources for hominins: from omega‐3 fatty acids to cultural objects

Guil‐Guerrero

Tikhonov

Ramos‐Bueno

et al. 2018

J Quaternary Science

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The mammoth is assessed here both for its cultural significance as well as a source of dietary n‐3 (omega‐3) fatty acids in Palaeolithic societies. For this, we analysed fats from several frozen mammoths found in the permafrost of Siberia (Russian Federation) and conducted a comprehensive literature review on the relationships of hominins with mammoths throughout the Stone Age. Different mammoth samples were included in this study, all very close to the Upper Palaeolithic. All samples were analysed by gas liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry and gas liquid chromatography‐flame ionization detection. Hominins consumed mammoths throughout the Palaeolithic, while remains of this animal were used as building materials as well as to fabricate different tools and decorative objects, and thus it is possible to link cultural development and mammoth consumption. Based on the fatty acid profiles found, fat samples from two mammoths were in apparently good preservation, yielding α‐linolenic acid percentages very close to values found in extant elephants, thus allowing an assessment of their feasibility as a source of essential fatty acids for Palaeolithic hunters. As demonstrated in this work, mammoths constituted a cultural resource in addition to contributing to fulfilling the n‐3 fatty acid needs of Palaeolithic hominins in Europe.

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Preliminary results of studies of the Valea Morilor Upper Palaeolithic site (Chişinău, Republic of Moldova): A new camp of mammoth hunters

Cited by 11 publications

References 1 publication

The Fat from Frozen Mammals Reveals Sources of Essential Fatty Acids Suitable for Palaeolithic and Neolithic Humans

The Fat from Frozen Mammals Reveals Sources of Essential Fatty Acids Suitable for Palaeolithic and Neolithic Humans

The MIS 3–2 environments of the middle Kolyma Basin: implications for the Ice Age peopling of northeast Arctic Siberia

Mammoth resources for hominins: from omega‐3 fatty acids to cultural objects

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