Sharing food with hyenas: a latrine of Pachycrocuta brevirostris in the Early Pleistocene assemblage of Fuente Nueva-3 (Orce, Baza Basin, SE Spain)

Abstract

The Early Pleistocene archeological site of Fuente Nueva-3 (FN3) preserves some of the oldest evidence of hominin presence in Western Europe, including a huge assemblage of Oldowan tools and evidence of butchering and marrow processing of large mammal bones. Moreover, there is also evidence of the regular presence of carnivores at the site, including a small proportion of bones that show tooth marks, the majority of which can be attributed to the giant, short-faced hyena Pachycrocuta brevirostris, and there are 220 coprolites, most of them from the Upper Archeological Level. In order to identify the defecating agent, we analyze here the coprolites and compare them with other specimens from the literature and with scats from zoo spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta). The morphology, color, size, and chemical composition of the FN3 coprolites allow us to attribute them to the hyena P. brevirostris, which is also represented at the site by fossil specimens. In addition, we evaluate the origin of the accumulation of coprolites and discuss on the role played by the scavenging hyenas in the accumulation and modification of the bone remains unearthed at the site, which allows evaluating the contribution of the giant hyena to this Early Pleistocene site. Finally, based on the lithology of layer 5 of the Upper Archeological Level, fine sands and clays deposited in a salt-lake environment, we hypothesize that this layer may have acted as a quicksand where large-sized animals like elephants were trapped and their carcasses lured scavenging carnivores.

An Updated Review of The Quaternary Hippopotamus Fossil Records from the Iberian Peninsula

“…Most of the fossil assemblages with hippopotamus presence on the Iberian Peninsula are the result of interspecific interactions (e.g., accumulation by carnivores [56]) or show evidence of this type of event (e.g., feeding by hyenas [21,57]; Figure 3m). The peculiar hippopotamus lifestyle brings a particular value to the characterization of interspecific relationships, allowing us to infer the behavior of carnivores around water bodies.…”

Computer simulation of scavenging by hominins and giant hyenas in the late Early Pleistocene

“…A certain number of hominins banding together, even brandishing sticks or stones, and shouting could chase out larger predators from their preys 17 , 49 . Indeed, archaeological evidence from Fuente Nueva-3 50 and Dmanisi 51 suggests that cobbles and limestone blocks could be used as throwing stones to drive away predators and competitors, reducing the risk of the confrontation 52 . The results showed that maintaining an optimum group size can be an important factor for success in the competition for carrion in the form of interference competition 53 .…”