Human predatory behavior and the social implications of communal hunting based on evidence from the TD10.2 bison bone bed at Gran Dolina (Atapuerca, Spain)

摘要: Abstract Zooarcheological research is an important tool in reconstructing subsistence, as well for inferring relevant aspects regarding social behavior the past. The organization of hunting parties, forms predation (number and rate animals slaughtered), technology used (tactics tools) must be taken into account identification classification methods prehistory. archeological recognition communal reflects interest evolutionary terms their inherent implications anticipatory capacities, complexity, development cognitive tools, such articulated language. Late Middle Paleolithic faunal assemblages Europe have produced convincing evidence large ungulates allowing formation hypotheses concerning skills Neanderthals anatomically modern humans predators. However, emergence this cooperative not currently understood. Here, analysis, based on traditional/long-established zooarcheological methods, nearly 25,000 remains from “bison bone bed” layer TD10.2 sub-unit at Gran Dolina, Atapuerca (Spain) presented. In addition, other datasets related to archeo-stratigraphy, paleo-landscape, paleo-environmental proxies, lithic assemblage, ethno-archeological information been considered order adopt a holistic approach investigation subsistence strategies developed during deposition remains. results indicate monospecific assemblage heavily dominated by axial bison elements. abundance anthropogenic modifications anatomical profile are concordance with early primary access carcasses systematic butchering focused exploitation meat fat transportation high-yield elements somewhere out cave. Together catastrophic seasonal mortality pattern, procurement circa 400 kyr. This suggests that cognitive, social, technological capabilities required successful were least fully among pre-Neanderthal paleodeme Lower Paleolithic. Similarly, existence mass technique informs our understanding predatory similar those exhibited hunters. Resumen La zooarqueologia es una importante herramienta para la reconstruccion de subsistencia y tambien inferir aspectos relevantes del comportamiento en el pasado. En este trabajo presentamos analisis faunistico llamado “lecho huesos bisonte”, contenido subunidad yacimiento Dolina (Atapuerca, Espana). composicion taxonomica perfil anatomico indican un conjunto monoespecifico fuertemente dominado por elementos esqueleto bisonte ( Bison sp.). Las caracteristicas abundancia las modificaciones antropicas revelan acceso primario e inmediato carcasas, asi como desarrollo procesado carnicero sistematico dirigido explotacion carne grasa, preparacion transporte alto rendimiento hacia algun lugar fuera cavidad. Esas unidas mortalidad catastrofico estacional, sugieren obtencion los bisontes mediante caza comunal. frecuencia, localizacion intensidad mordeduras carnivoro restos indica fuerte saqueo carcasas vez abandonadas estas homininos yacimiento. suma decisiones sobre posterior carnivoros despojos abandonados resulta interpretado matanza procesamiento carroneados posteriormente fieras. analogias etnograficas, etnohistoricas arqueologicas nos han permitido interpretar bisonte” cazadero utilizado durante varios eventos estacionales comunal que rebanos completos fueron sacrificados ser explotados intensamente ocuparon cueva. El repetido uso estacional punto territorio tareas especificas muestra ciertas similitudes con patron logistico gestion recursos. mismo sentido, existencia temprana tactica depredatoria informa emergencia habilidades cognitivas, tecnologicas sociales similares aquellas exhibidas otros cazadores comunales modernos momento tan temprano Pleistoceno medio.