Palaeontology and Zooarchaeology of Mezmaiskaya Cave (Northwestern Caucasus, Russia)

摘要: Over 6000 large mammal and numerous small vertebrate remains have been recovered from preliminary excavations at Mezmaiskaya Cave, situated 1300–1350 m above sea level in the northwestern foothills of Caucasus Mountains. Most were layers containing Mousterian artefacts that date to late Middle Pleniglacial (35,000bpand older). The faunal assemblage reflects a very low degree weathering, many bones exhibit traces stone tool cuts carnivore modification. Steppe bison (Bison priscus), Caucasian goat (Capra caucasica), Asiatic mouflon (Ovis orientalis) are most common mammals. reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) encountered for first time Caucasus. Although smaller appear accumulated by nonhuman biotic processes (e.g. owl predation), majority ungulate probably represent animals hunted occupants cave.