Multi-stable isotope zooarchaeological investigations at Abri du Maras: exploring the palaeoecological context of Neanderthal subsistence strategies in the Rhône Valley, - Archive ouverte HAL Accéder directement au contenu
Poster De Conférence Année : 2020

Multi-stable isotope zooarchaeological investigations at Abri du Maras: exploring the palaeoecological context of Neanderthal subsistence strategies in the Rhône Valley,

Résumé

In order to broaden our knowledge of Neanderthal land use and hunting behaviours, it is crucial to understand the ecology of their prey and the environments in which they lived. The isotope zooarchaeological approach utilises the anthropogenic faunal record to provide proxy data for both past environmental conditions and ecological behaviours of the different animal species exploited. Here, we present the results of a multi-isotope, multi-tissue study of ungulates remains from the Middle Palaeolithic site of Abri du Maras (Ardèche, France), providing new insights into the living landscapes of the Rhône Valley during MIS3. Bone collagen carbon and nitrogen isotope values from ungulates from Abri du Maras evidence the dietary niches of the different species exploited by Neanderthals at the site and illuminate the behaviours of now extinct species such as giant deer (Megaloceros giganteus). Intra-tooth strontium isotope investigations of reindeer from Level 4.2 (dated from 42 ± 3 to 55 ± 2 ka BP[1]) indicate likely migratory behaviour. This, combined with the fact that other fauna (e.g. horse, bison, red deer) dominate the zooarchaeological assemblage in this level, suggest that reindeer may have been hunted only opportunistically during their spring migrations. The sub-contemporaneous Level 4.1 on the other hand (dated 40 ± 3 and 46 ± 3 ka BP[1]), is dominated by reindeer, and suggests a seasonally restricted exploitation in Autumn[2]. However, strontium isotope data from reindeer teeth from Level 4.1 are consistent with a local range for this species during that period, and non-migratory behaviour. This may suggest the forest ecotype and is consistent with other palaeoenvironmental proxy data. In Level 4.1, the seasonal nature of reindeer exploitation, combined with their non-migratory behaviour, may be consistent with a seasonally-restricted use of the area by Neanderthals or the preferential hunting of reindeer in peak physical condition (e.g. high body fat, etc.). Thus, the integration of isotope data with the zooarchaeological analyses and other palaeoenvironmental proxy data at Abri du Maras evidence not only diversity in animal behaviour and ecology during MIS3, but also demonstrate the inter-relationships between the dynamic ecosystem and Neanderthal land use and hunting strategies
Fichier non déposé

Dates et versions

hal-03938076 , version 1 (13-01-2023)

Identifiants

  • HAL Id : hal-03938076 , version 1

Citer

Elodie-Laure Jimenez, Kate Britton, Klervia Jaouen, Camille Daujeard, Delphine Vettese, et al.. Multi-stable isotope zooarchaeological investigations at Abri du Maras: exploring the palaeoecological context of Neanderthal subsistence strategies in the Rhône Valley,. ESHE, Sep 2020, Liège, Belgium. ⟨hal-03938076⟩
19 Consultations
0 Téléchargements

Partager

Gmail Facebook X LinkedIn More