Insights into neanderthal bird hunting practices during MIS5-3 : Taphonomical analysis of avian remains from Valdegoba cave (Burgos, Spain)
Alonso Caño, Goizane (Universidad de Burgos)
Díez Fernández-Lomana, Juan Carlos (Universidad de Burgos)
Sánchez Marco, Antonio (Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont)

Date:	2025
Abstract:	Small-prey exploitation has been considered an important component of socio-economic development of past human groups. Consequently, several studies have set the focus on taphonomical analysis of small animals such as birds or leporids. Nevertheless, human groups are not the only agents that can produce bone accumulations, as archaeological assemblages can also be the result of non-human predators and natural phenomena. For this reason, it is essential to determine the taphonomical pattern of each potential accumulator, with the aim of identifying their inputs. This work presents the first taphonomical analysis of an avian sample from Valdegoba Cave. The assemblage shows a mixed origin of both human and non-human (probably a nocturnal bird of prey) predator contributions. Clear evidence of human processing - such as the presence of cut marks - demonstrates intentional bird processing. Neanderthal groups from Valdegoba therefore show a broad spectrum diet, from large herbivores to small animals. These findings position Valdegoba cave as a unique Mousterian site in the region, thereby expanding the understanding of Neanderthal behaviour and small-prey use.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, i la comunicació pública de l'obra, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. No es permet la creació d'obres derivades.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Published in:	Journal of archaeological science: reports, Vol. 66 (October 2025) , art. 105266, ISSN 2352-4103

DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105266

16 p, 9.2 MB

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (ICP)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles