Bison death assemblages and the interpretation of human hunting behaviour

摘要: Abstract Bison kill sites on the North American Plains are well-studied archaeological examples of human communal hunting and mass killing large ungulates. Assemblages bison bones from these dominated by remains prime adults, younger animals not as well represented expected. We propose that predation carnivores preferentially removed calves yearlings some herds prior to preferred seasons for hunts in fall winter, hunters may have targeted depleted this way. Some general models suggest prime-dominated assemblages mammals a unique signature, caused ability of humans target prime-aged prey, thus exploit niche was under-used non-human carnivores. Because kills also animals, we mortality pattern need be result predation, could equally reflect emergence complex behaviours required conduct kill.