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Abstract: Within the framework of nutritional ecology, subsistence diversification is achieved by adding different species to a diet, but explanations for this diversification vary. In the Broad Spectrum Revolution approach, explanations include demographic, ecological, nutritional and technological factors, as well as the mobility of hunter-gatherer groups. The origin of small animal assemblages is a key issue underlying this debate, as these were an important food resource for several non-human predators (diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey and terrestrial carnivores). To establish the genesis of these accumulations, it is important to analyse the anatomical and age profiles of the animals, the bone breakage patterns and the bone surface modifications. With this aim, we present data from the Level IV faunal assemblage of Bolomor Cave (Valencia, Spain). Level IV, corresponding to MIS 5e, shows human use not only of small animals but also of large- and small-sized carnivores in addition to ungulates. Anthropogenic evidence includes cut-marks, intentional bone breakage, burning patterns and human tooth-marks. The utilisation of other less frequent animals could be related to a generalist human behaviour based on the exploitation of a broad range of prey, and could also be associated with an early diversification of the human diet in this locality. This study aims to provide data concerning human consumption of small prey, to establish the processing sequence both of large/medium and small animals and to contribute to the knowledge of human subsistence strategies in the European Middle Palaeolithic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Bolomor Cave, located in Tavernes de la Valldigna (Valencia, Spain), contains a sedimentary deposit composed of seventeen stratigraphic levels ranging from MIS 9 to MIS 5e. This extensive sequence allows us to ask different questions about how the human groups of this chronological period related to their environment. We report several different strategies by which animal resources were obtained from level XII faunal assemblage (MIS 6). These practices range from scavenging to the complex hunting techniques, such as multiple predation. This practice is inferred in the case of horses (Equus ferus) on the basis of: (1) the proportional representation of skeletal elements (elements with high marrow content, such as stylopodials and zeugopodials); (2) age at death of these animals (from infantile to advanced adult); (3) the position and function of cutmarks and toothmarks (mainly oblique and longitudinal incisions on limb bones diaphyses); (4) archaeostratigraphic distribution of their remains in the assemblage; and (5) presence of refits among the bones located at this archaeostratigraphical line. Evidence of anthropogenic processing of small prey (Oryctolagus cuniculus and Cygnus olor) is also identified at level XII. These discoveries imply the development of techniques different from those used to capture large and medium ungulates. From this perspective, a variety of strategies to obtain animal food can be documented at Bolomor Cave. This phenomenon can be related to the highly adaptive subsistence strategies of these hominids, who could take advantage of the benefits offered by a diverse and rich environment. In general, the aim of this study is to provide data about the subsistence strategies of human groups from Bolomor Cave and contribute to knowledge about the human groups’ way of life of in the late Middle Pleistocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There are many types of evidence that provide information about methods for obtaining animal nutrients. Several researchers suggest that the main element to be considered is the skeletal representation of the different species identified in the faunal assemblage. This element must be associated to the animals’ age at death and the localisation of processing marks of the carcasses (both those of anthropic origin and those produced by carnivores). Occasionally, these marks coincide on the same point of the bone, giving cause for overlapping marks. These marks can be considered an aid more to identify the anthropic manner for obtaining animal recourses. However, these cases are very unusual at archaeological sites, and it is not always easy to identify which of the two predators has obtained the prey first. Through the experimental process presented in this article, we have observed diagnostic elements on overlapping marks that show the action sequence of the predators (hominids and carnivores) on carcasses. These experimental criteria were applied to different archaeological sites of the Lower and Middle Pleistocene in the Iberian Peninsula: Bolomor Cave (Valencia, Spain) and level TD10-1 and TD6-2 of Gran Dolina (Atapuerca, Burgos). In these assemblages, we were able to distinguish hunting and scavenging events through overlapping marks, providing a new element to the general interpretation of these sites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Human colonization of the Arctic zone constitutes one of the most beautiful illustrations of the thesis according which human history, particularly in its early stages, represents a continuum of adaptations. The study of archaeological sites of North Fennoscandia has brought numerous evidences since the Mesolithic period. To cite this article: V. Shumkin, C. R. Palevol 5 (2006) . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]