Hominins From Lower Paleolithic Schöningen Spear Site Competed With Sabre Tooth Cats and ate a lot of Horse

Bone taphonomy of the Schöningen “Spear Horizon South” and its implications for site formation and hominin meat provisioning

Authors:

Starkovich et al

Abstract:

This paper presents the faunal remains from the new excavation area at the Lower Paleolithic site of Schöningen. The focus of the study is on the southern extension of the main find horizon (Spear Horizon South), which includes the layer that yielded the famous Schöningen spears (13 II-4). Taxonomic data corroborate previous studies, that hominins primarily hunted Equus mosbachensis, a large Pleistocene horse. Equid body part representation at the site suggests that the animals were hunted and butchered locally. There is no evidence for density-mediated attrition in the assemblage. Weathering damage is uncommon, though there is ample evidence that carnivores had access to the bone. Carnivore bite sizes were measured and compared to experimental data provided by previous authors. Based on relationships between bite size and carnivore behavior and body size, we conclude that the primary modifying agents were large carnivores (i.e., wolves or saber-toothed cats). Previous studies show that carnivores often had secondary access to the remains, after hominins. Cut marks are commonly arranged haphazardly on the bones. This may indicate that multiple hominins participated in the butchery of horse skeletons, or that they were butchered over the course of hours or days. Cut marks on axial elements are more “orderly,” which probably reflects the physical logistics of orienting one's body in relation to a large carcass. These data differ from sites formed by Middle and Upper Paleolithic hominins, which might suggest that in later times, a system of organized meat provisioning was already in place. Taken together, the faunal evidence from the Spear Horizon South indicates that late Lower Paleolithic hominins using the site understood the behaviors of different prey species, hunted socially to take down large game, and successfully competed with large carnivores on the landscape for primary access to ungulate remains.

The Tyranny of Taphonomy

I have been watching this deer to collect its skull and antlers since it was first hit by a car. With the rains first coming, I stopped checking on its decay/readiness to pick up. Alas, it seems someone or something did a highlander and took the head.

This is a common problem when an animal dies prior to fossilization: animals take pieces and scatter them about. That's why many paleo critters are known from a handful of bones. The conditions have to be right and the burial process must have good timing and the critters that pick clean carcasses must cooperate.

For this buck, they did not. Oh the terrible tyranny of taphonomy!