Systematic butchering of fallow deer (Dama) at the early middle Pleistocene Acheulian site of Gesher Benot Ya‘aqov (Israel)

摘要: Three assemblages of fallow deer (Dama sp.) bones excavated from the early middle Pleistocene (oxygen isotope stage 18) layers Acheulian site Gesher Benot Ya'aqov, Israel, furnish evidence systematic and repeated exploitation complete carcasses by hominins. The excellent state preservation presence only minimal signs carnivore involvement permit an investigation role hominins as primary agents responsible for damage to these bones. Hominin expertise in dealing with is manifested cut marks, percussion hack marks on archaeozoological analysis anatomical position frequency suggests that carcass processing followed practices reflect in-depth knowledge anatomy a consistent behavioral strategy. These represent one earliest examples methodological butchering Eurasia. observed at Ya'aqov resembles seen late sites which were inhabited modern humans. We interpret data indicating hunters (1) proficient communicators learners (2) possessed knowledge, considerable manual skill, impressive technological abilities, foresight.