Neanderthal hunting grounds: The case of Teixoneres Cave (Spain) and Pié Lombard rockshelter (France)

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2024.106007
• Publication Date: 2024-05-29T07:43:55Z
• Authors: Antigone Uzunidis; Ruth Blasco; Jean-Philip Brugal; Tiffanie Fourcade; Juan Ochando; Jordi Rosell; Audrey Roussel; Anna Rufà; Maria Fernanda Sá...; Pierre-Jean Texier; Florent Rivals
• Keywords: Neanderthal; Ungulate; Carnivore; Taphonomy; Zooarchaeology

The study of Neanderthal-Environment interactions very often lacks precise data that match the chrono-geographical frame human activities. Here, we reconstruct Neanderthals' hunting grounds within three distinct habitats using dental microwear analysis combined with zooarchaeological data. predation patterns toward ungulates are discussed in term frequency (NISP/MNI) and potential meat intake (MAM). Unit IIIa Teixoneres Cave (MIS 3, NE Spain) corresponds to a mosaic landscape, IIIb was more forested, and, "Ensemble" II Pié Lombard 4, SE France), forest cover dominated. At Lombard, Neanderthals rely on high diversity taxa from closed semi-open grounds, mostly two ungulate species as well rabbits several bird taxa. Cave, mainly open areas exploited summer focused large gregarious ungulates. larger size herds spaces may have allowed restrict their subsistence behaviour only few species, specific strategies. In IIIa, they do not appear made any selection most abundant while IIIb, aurochs also opportunistically heavily newborn red deer. Neanderthal strategies seem, therefore, partially linked had access to. While it impacted prey selected, groups were able develop similar environments.