Cave hyena exploitation by Palaeolithic humans in Western Europe
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 7994401 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Jean Philip Brugal (0000-0002-5138-3545), Philippe Fossé (0000-0001-8251-0618) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 34 |
| Pages | 50-70 |
| Publication date | 2025-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Paléo (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1145-3370 • E-ISSN: 2101-0420 |
| Publisher | OpenEdition (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.4000/1516o |
| OpenAlex | W4415698510 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
The aim of this contribution is to survey the Paleolithic sites in Europe that show evidence for human action on the cave hyena Crocuta crocuta spelaea. We initiate this contribution with a description of human interventions on hyena bones from the sites of Coudoulous II (Lot) and Grotte du Renne at Arcy-sur-Cure (Yonne), in France. We then list thirteen sites dating from the end of the Middle to the Early Upper Paleolithic period, where evidence of interactions between humans and cave hyenas have been reported. These sites are mainly located in southern Europe (n=8 in France and Spain), while three are in Germany and two in Central Europe (Hungary, Bulgaria). Traces of human modifications appear to relate primarily to the recovery of fur (perhaps from animals that died naturally); and in three cases teeth were used as adornment. Unlike other carnivores (bear, lion, wolf), the cave hyena seems to have attracted little attention from prehistoric human societies. Several causes, which we will discuss at the end of this contribution, can be invoked: these include a degree of inter-specific competition for food and shelter greater between cave hyenas and humans than with other carnivores, as well as biological contexts
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |