Despite the fact that fish are a common component of coastal and other aquatic archaeological sites, fish bone taphonomy--including bone surface modifications and the effects of burial--remains woefully understudied. Various ethnographic accounts describe fish butchering techniques for immediate consumption and drying, yet cut marks are rarely reported on archaeological fish remains. To address a significant gap in our understanding of fish taphonomy, I devised an experimental research program aimed at assessing whether butchering fish produces cut marks on fish bones and, if so, what factors might account for the discrepancy between the experimental results and the archaeological record. Chapter I provides an introduction to experimental archaeology, including the criticisms and benefits of this approach. Chapter II presents the results of my initial butchery experiment, which establishes that butchering fish can produce abundant cut marks. Chapter III evaluates the effect of the butcher's skill level on the number and distribution of cut marks produced on fish bone during butchery. The results indicate that professional butchers produce nearly 50 percent fewer cut marks than novice- and intermediate-level butchers. Chapter IV addresses the effect of post-depositional taphonomic processes on the long-term visibility of cut marks. Despite a relatively short burial period (27 months), visible cut marks decreased by up to 75 percent, depending on the species. Chapter V is a re-analysis of the fish bone from column E6 at Daisy Cave (CA-SMI-261). Appling the referential framework I acquired through the experiments, I identified 62 cut marks on bones dating from the Early to Late Holocene. A comprehensive understanding of aquatic resource use has implications for a broad range of archaeological topics, including our understanding of hominid diet and resource use; identifying butchery and processing practices among fishing peoples; distinguishing between human and natural agency in the accumulation of fish remains; and assessing questions of behavioral modernity and social complexity. As we continue to recognize the primacy of coastal adaptations throughout human history, it is increasingly critical to expand the breadth of our knowledge regarding the taphonomy of fish remains at archaeological sites. This dissertation includes previously published and unpublished co-authored material.

Submitted by Caroline Falcao (caroline.rfalcao@ufpe.br) on 2017-06-08T17:38:11Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) 2012-dissertacao-PetriusBelo.pdf.pdf: 20883190 bytes, checksum: 0734db46fd439e33d9a5bb0a64199f0a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-08T17:38:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) 2012-dissertacao-PetriusBelo.pdf.pdf: 20883190 bytes, checksum: 0734db46fd439e33d9a5bb0a64199f0a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-31 / Sítios com interação homem-megafauna no Brasil são raros, bem como no restante da América do Sul. Muitos estudos publicados até hoje têm focalizado e discutido evidências de sítios do extremo sul do continente como, Monte Verde, no Chile e Los Toldos, na Argentina ou do extremo norte, no caso do sítio Taima-Taima, na Venezuela. Um dos mais importantes sítios escavados no Brasil está situado na Área arqueológica do Parque Nacional Serra da Capivara-PI, a “Toca da Janela da Barra do Antonião” –um abrigo sob-rocha com significativo registro da megafauna em associação estratigráfica com artefatos líticos. Vale ressaltar que nele foram encontrados fósseis com determinados padrões de fraturas e marcasde corte. Embora tenha sido escavado entre as décadas de 1980 e 1990 do século passado, alguns de seus resultados ainda são inéditos. Este trabalho objetiva estudar as marcas em ossos da megafauna em uma perspectiva de corroborar ou falsear a interferência humana na história tafonômica desses espécimes. Os fósseis com marcas de corte foram coletados em associação espacial com artefatos líticos, em um depósito cárstico utilizado como abrigo.Os táxons aqui estudados incluem: Eremotheriun, Catonyx, Notiomastodon, Hippidion, c.f Macrauchenia, Paleolama eToxodon–alguns destes apresentam marcas do tipo sulcos com secções em “V” com microestrias internas, localizadas próximas às zonas de articulações; além disso, são registrados padrões de fraturas do tipo espiral e irregular. A metodologia do trabalho consistiu em análise tafonômica em escala microscópica por meio de lupa binocular, microscópio eletrônico de varredura, fotografia digital e software específico, com o intuito de encontrar assinaturas tafonômicasque possam indicar que as marcas encontradas são de natureza antrópica, resultante da atividade de abate destes animais. Em análise preliminar foram identificadas marcas de corte paralelas encontradas em um úmero do gênero Hippidion, escavado no setor A, Nível IV. Estas marcas apresentam coloração e morfologia que indicam uma origem anterior ao processo de fossilização. Este espécime apresenta um padrão de fratura que sugere que ele foi fraturado antes dos processos diagenéticos, enquanto o osso ainda preservava sua elasticidade. A discussão sobre este tipo de vestígio está relacionada à validade das associações estratigráficas entre artefatos e fósseis, ao agente causador das marcas e se, de fato, ocorreu interferência antrópica na formação da assembleia. Sendo assim, com base no estudo tafonômico microscópico dos vestígios encontrados, pode-se afirmar que as alterações nos ossos foram elaboradas por populações pré-históricas que ocuparam este abrigo durante o final do Pleistoceno e início do Holoceno. / Sites with human-megafauna interaction are rare in Brazil and in the rest of South America. Many studies have been published which are focused on sites and discussed evidences of the extreme south of the continent as Monte Verde in Chile and Los Toldos, Argentina or the far north, where Taima-Taima site in Venezuela. One of the most important sites excavated in Brazil is located in the archaeological area of the National Park of Sierra Capybara-IP, "Toca da Janela da Barra do Antonião." –a shelter-in rock with significant record of megafauna in stratigraphic association with lithic artefacts. Besides, there were found fossils with certain patterns of fractures andcut marks. Although it was excavated between the 1980s and 1990s of the last century, some of their results are still unpublished. This paper aims to study the marks on bones of megafauna in order to corroborate or misrepresent human interference in the taphonomic history of these specimens. Fossils with cut marks were collected in spatial association with lithic artifacts in a warehouse karst used as shelter. The taxa studied here include: Eremotheriun, Catonyx, Notiomastodon, Hippidion, cf Macrauchenia, and Palaeolama Toxodon –some of these brands have the type grooves with sections on "V" with microestrias internal, situated near the joint areas; in addition, are recorded patterns of fractures type spiral and irregular. The methodology of the study consisted on taphonomic analysis on a microscopic scale through binocular microscope, scanning electron microscope, digital photography and specific software, in order to find taphonomic signatures which may indicate that the markings are anthropogenic in nature, resulting from the slaughter activity of such animals. In preliminary analysis were identified parallel cut marks found in the genre Hippidion a humerus, dug in sector A, Level IV. These brands have staining and morphology that indicate a prior origin to fossilization process. This specimen exhibits a pattern of fracture which suggests that it was fractured before the diagenetic processes, while the bone still preserved its elasticity. The discussion about this type of trace is related to the validity of stratigraphic associations between artifacts and fossils, the causative agent of brands and if, indeed, have occurred anthropogenic interference in the formation of the assembly. Therefore, based on the study of microscopic taphonomic traces found, it can be stated that the changes in the bones were prepared by prehistoric populations that occupied this shelter during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene.

Ce travail à pour but de déterminer le mode d’acquisition des ressources carnées par les groupes d’hominidés au cours du Paléolithique inférieur en Europe. La présence du genre Homo en Europe, antérieur à l’épisode paléomagnétique de Jaramillo est attestée dans plusieurs sites archéologiques. Cette dispersion hors d’Afrique est signalée par des industries lithiques appartenant à l’horizon culturel du Préoldowayen et par des restes squelettiques affiliés au genre Homo. Cette étude est axée sur l’analyse taphonomique et archéozoologique, de trois assemblages fauniques associés à une industrie du mode 1 (Barranco León, Fuente Nueva 3, la grotte du Vallonnet) et un assemblage associé à une industrie du mode 2 (la Caune de l’Arago). Les analyses permettent de comprendre les processus de formation de ces assemblages en contexte de plein air et en grotte et d’estimer la part des agents qui sont intervenus. L’implication des Hommes est attestée dans la modification des carcasses de grands mammifères. Des ossements présentent des stries, qui impliquent que les éclats étaient bien utilisés pour prélever la chair et une fracturation caractéristique, liée à l’éclatement des os par les outils aménagés. L’analyse des assemblages osseux révèle une variabilité des systèmes d’approvisionnement en matière carnée. La comparaison de ces accumulations formées en grotte et en plein air, apportent une meilleure compréhension des comportements de subsistances et permet de proposer un aperçu de la variabilité et de la chronologie des comportements alimentaires des Hommes en Europe méridionale pendant le Pléistocène inférieur et moyen. / The purpose of this work is determinated the mode of acquisition of the meat-based resources by the groups of hominids during the lower Palaeolithic in Europe. The presence of the genus Homo in Europe previous to the paleomagnetic Jaramillo event, is attested in several archeological sites. This dispersal outside Africa is indicated by litic industry belonging to the cultural horizon of Préoldowayen and by human fossils affiliated to genus Homo. This study is centred on taphonomical and zooarcheological analysis, of three faunal assemblages associated with a mode 1 industry (Barranco León, Fuente Nueva 3, the Vallonnet cave) and an assemblage associated with a mode 2 industry (Caune de l' Arago). Analyses allow to understand the processes formation of these assemblages in open air site and in cave, and to estimate the part of the agents who intervened. The implication of human is attested in the modification of the carcasses of big mammals. Bones present cutmarks which imply that flakes were used to discard flesh and a characteristic fracturation connected to the percussion of bones by stones tools. The analysis of the bones assemblages reveals a variability of the systems of supply in meat-based subject. The comparison of theses accumulations, bring a better understanding of the subsistences behavior and allows to propose an outline of the variability and the chronology of the eating habits of the Paleolitic People in Southern Europe during Lower and Middle Pleistocene.

No description available.

En Gaule méridionale la pratique des têtes coupées, décrite par la littérature antique, est attestée par les vestiges lapidaires et les restes humains mis au jour depuis plus d’un siècle. Des données inédites sur cette coutume ont été acquises suite à la découverte au Cailar (Gard, France), à partir de 2003, d’un ensemble de crânes humains fragmentés, d’armement manipulé et de plusieurs dizaines de monnaies, dispersés dans les phases de remblaiement d’une place publique entre la fin du IVe et la fin du IIIe s av. n. è. Cette dernière appartient à une agglomération fortifiée fondée dès le VIe s. av. n. è. Les fragments de crânes trouvés sur ce site constituent le sujet de cette étude. Ces os forment un corpus assez différent des restes généralement associés aux têtes coupées : ils sont nombreux, très fragmentés et largement mélangés et dispersés dans les couches. Pour comprendre les évènements qui ont conduit à la création d’un tel assemblage, il a été nécessaire de mettre en place des outils adaptés à leur étude. Après une remise en contexte archéologique régionale et locale, ce travail se propose de présenter les méthodes de l’archéothanatologie adaptées à l’étude de ce type d’ossements (quantification, modification osseuses). Dans un deuxième temps, sont détaillés l’outil d’enregistrement créé pour optimiser l’étude (base de données/géodatabase, SIG), et les méthodes d’analyses spatiales retenues pour étudier non seulement les traces et les fractures des pièces osseuses, mais aussi leur répartition sur le terrain. Les résultats obtenus sont multiples : données quantitatives et taphonomiques précises sur l’assemblage, proposition d’une méthode inédite pour l’analyse de la découpe et de la fragmentation sur des crânes humains fragmentés, analyse poussée de la répartition spatiale dans les trois dimensions. Tous ces éléments permettent de proposer des hypothèses solides quant à la chaîne opératoire qui concerne les têtes coupées : mode de récupération, traitement, rejet, mise en place du dépôt. Ce travail permet également de suggérer des pistes à approfondir ou à abandonner dans les méthodes usuelles d’analyses des grands ensembles fragmentés et dispersés. / Once only known from Classical accounts, the practice of collecting and curating human heads by certain Iron Age groups in southern France has, for more than a century now, been evinced by materials including stone carvings and human remains. In particular, new evidence has been brought to light at the site of Le Cailar (Gard), a fortified site occupied from the end of the 6th century BCE. Specially, excavations carried out since 2003 have revealed an extensive deposit accumulated from the end of the 4th until the end of the 3rd century BCE, comprising fragmented human crania, purposefully deformed armaments, and many dozens of coins scattered across a public plaza, beneath a thick layer of rubble. The human cranial fragments discovered on this plaza are the subject of this study. These bones form a corpus quite different from the remains generally associated with severed heads: they are numerous, very fragmented, and largely mixed and dispersed in the levels. In order to understand the events that led to the creation of the assemblage, it has been necessary to adapt tools to this study. After putting the site into its local and regional context, this work proposes to present bioarchaeological methods adapted to the study of these types of bone (especially, quantification and modification of the bone). In a second time, the recording tool created to optimize the study is presented (database / geodatabase, GIS), then the spatial analysis methods used to study, not only the traces and the fractures of the parts bones, but also their distribution on the field. There are a lot of results: precise quantitative and taphonomic data about the assemblage, proposition of new method to study cut marks and fracturing, a hitherto unparalleled understanding of the process of how crania were distributed across the site (this last measured in three dimensions). All these elements permit to propose solid hypotheses regarding the process by which these heads were produced: the means of recuperation, treatment, disposal, and deposition. This work also suggests which avenues of research will or won't be useful to pursue in future projects of a similar nature.