Small Mammal Fossil Assemblages as Indicators of Environmental Change in Northern Corsica during the Last 2500 Years

摘要: Abstract The small Monte di Tuda cave is filled with a slightly disturbed, 2 m thick deposit. Very rich vertebrate bone assemblages from barn owl pellets have been sampled extensively using special techniques to avoid contamination. Stratigraphical analysis and accelerator radiocarbon dating on the bones themselves both point rapid sedimentation rate during last 2500 years, break in building up of sediment between 1960 610 bp . Multivariate analyses frequencies mammal species show that modern had approximately same ecology throughout time sequence, give, for first time, an idea ecological preferences extinct endemic Corsica. general development faunal spectra shows increase human impact (clearance vegetation), through sequence. Other multivariate indicate sequence at least three agricultural cycles: one Early Roman period, second Late period (2 –5th centuries ad ) Pisa Peace (11 –13th ), 14 –19th two earlier ones were mainly concerned cereal cultivation, later tree cultivation. Whilst most these cycles only local significance, phenomena more extensive significance: (1) immigration Rattus rattus Corsica probably whole North-Western Mediterranean Basin, dated 4th –2nd cal- bc ; (2) mass extinction species, either or 11 resulting large scale deforestation. In addition, recovered appear reflect wetter climate beginning (the “small alpine glacial age ”) end (14 –18th centuries: “ Petit Âge Glaciaire ” Le Roy Ladurie). This paper gives example importance reconstructing environment historical period.