There is of course Andrews' 1990 extensive SEM micrograph inventory for
rodentia and insectivora. But, I think a photo guide for other
microvertebrates, like you mentioned, Chris, would be invaluable.
I agree digestion marks are extremely important for diagnosing the role of
predators. But, they do not rule out the contribution of other agents. I found
evidence for consumption of 1 rodent species and commensalism of another in an
assemblage largely deposited by owls in el-Wad Terrace in Israel. The site is
at the foot of a cliff and owl deposition is to be expected. Taphonomic
analysis corroborated this previous assumption. But, it is of significance that
the site was also intensively occupied by complex hunter-gatherers of the
Natufian. I think the issue of multiple patterning which has been important in
early hominid subsistence debates is relevant for microvertebrate studies as
well.
Lior Weissbrod
Graduate student
Department of Anthropology
Washington University in St.Louis
Campus box 1114
One Brookings Drive
St.Louis, MO 63130
Something that i forgot to mention before is that very often (and i mean
VERY commonly), i see evidence of digestion on amphibian and reptile bones
from archaeological contexts. This of course removes any doubt regarding the
hibernation scenario we've been talking about. There isn't any photo-guide i
know about but the typical corrosion features are thinning of long bones,
particularly around the ends, often with holes appearing through them.
Articular surfaces on vertebrae, scapulae etc are corroded down to
cancellous bone and reduced in size. The sharp edges of the ilial corpus
become rounded, and the acetabulum is reduced to cancellous bone. The
zygantrum on snake vertebrae can also show very clear signs of digestion as
it corrodes from being relatively thick to paper-thin, and develops holes on
either side, sometimes extending to the edge of the bone (i.e. a crenulation
in the posterior margin). Little published work has been done on the
predator species but it seems some raptors cause corrosion damage, mustelids
and other mammals seem to cause more damage although not always to
destruction.
cheers,
Chris
Dr Chris Gleed-Owen
Research & Monitoring Officer
The Herpetological Conservation Trust
655A Christchurch Road
Boscombe
Bournemouth
Dorset BH1 4AP
tel: 01202 391319 fax: 01202 392785 mob: 07810 770567
-----Original Message-----
From: Analysis of animal remains from archaeological sites
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: 23 January 2004 18:49
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ZOOARCH] Microvertebrate accumulations
I find the discussion on the nature of microvertebrate accumulations
fascinating.
I wonder if the possible contribution of humans to the formation of
microvertebrate accumulations tends to be overlooked. The roles of various
modes of natural accumulation (predation, natural traps, burrowing) are so
obvious that they become at times almost axiomatic. Not discounting the
significant role of these processes, I think that a close look at
microvertebrate accumulations is required for every specific assemblage
deposited in a cultural context. The crucial issues in dealing with multiple
patterning might include fine recovery, taphonomy, well-controlled
actualistic
comparisons, and perhaps the wider scope of an inductive pattern recognition
approach.
Lior Weissbrod
Graduate student
Department of Anthropology
Washington University in St.Louis
Campus box 1114
One Brookings Drive
St.Louis, MO 63130
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