Experimental replication of early human behaviour in bird preparation
A pilot-study focusing on bone surface modification and breakage patterns
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9376792 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mariana Nabais (0000-0001-5344-237X, University of Lisbon, corresponding author), A Rufà (0000-0003-1278-4220, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), Marina Igreja (0000-0001-7959-6422, University of Lisbon) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 3 |
| Publication date | 2024-07-24 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2813-432X • E-ISSN: 2813-432X |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fearc.2024.1411853 |
| OpenAlex | W4400963358 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
| References cited | 35 |
The origin of complex behaviour amongst early humans is a subject of heated debate within the scientific community, and the study of small prey remains has become a significant aspect when examining such modern behaviour. Nonetheless, the consumption of small prey by human populations poses analytical difficulties due to the often negligible, or entirely absent, traces on bone surfaces. To address this difficulty, an experimental study focusing on terrestrial avifauna has been prepared, and here we present a preliminary phase of this research. The aim is to distinguish potential modifications on bird bone surfaces and fracture patterns that might facilitate the recognition of human manipulation of avian skeletal remains. Building upon the challenges encountered in the study of archaeological findings recovered from recent excavations in Iberian Middle Palaeolithic sites, the experimental protocol was formulated to encompass the processing of two uncooked and three roasted birds; and the lithic use-wear analysis of the flint flake used in the processing of raw birds. The results showcase distinct patterns of bone surface modifications and breakage between cooked and uncooked birds. Higher numbers of cut marks and manual disarticulation breaks are found on raw animals, whereas roasted animals show no cut marks, local-specific burns and higher bone loss. This pilot-study provides a baseline for future research to further explore the role of avifauna in Neanderthal subsistence and food processing, which may help highlight cultural choices
Biology · Breakage · Composite material · Human bone · Replication (statistics · Indigenous Studies and Ecology · Materials Science · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology · Primate Behavior and Ecology · Genetics · Virology
Taphonomic signatures on small prey remains from Teixoneres cave (Barcelona, Spain, sub-unit IIIb)
The Lateglacial fossil avifauna from Grotta del Romito (Calabria, Southern Italy) and the exploitation of birds by the Upper Paleolithic hunters
Insights into neanderthal bird hunting practices during MIS5-3
From Pigeons to Raptors
Small animal use by Neanderthals
Environmental availability, behavioural diversity and diet
Neanderthal behaviour, diet, and disease inferred from ancient DNA in dental calculus
Experimental determination of stone tool uses
Butchering and cooking of birds in the palaeolithic site of Grotta Romanelli (Italy)
Aves de caza. Estudio tafonómico y zooarqueológico de los restos avianos de los niveles musterienses de Pié Lombard (Alpes-Maritimes, Francia)
Lithics
A Morphological Investigation of Burnt Animal Bone and an Evaluation of its Utility in Archaeology
Interpretations of archaeological bird remains
The practices used by the Neanderthals in the aquisition and exploitation of plant and animal resources and the function of the sites studied
Le référentiel des outils lithiques
Characterising the exploitation of avian resources
Unravelling the Taphonomic Stories of Bird Bones from the Middle Pleistocene Layer VIII of Grotte Vaufrey, France
Bird consumption in the final stage of Cova Negra (Xátiva, Valencia)
Human-bird interaction in last Interglacial Iberia
L’exploitation des ressources végétales et animales au Paléolithique
Neanderthal scraping and manual handling of raptors wing bones
Pigeons and choughs, a usual resource for the Neanderthals in Gibraltar
An experimental assessment of the influences on edge damage to lithic artifacts
Middle Pleistocene bird consumption at Level XI of Bolomor Cave (Valencia, Spain)
Experimentation in the Formation of Edge Damage
Neanderthal megafaunal exploitation in Western Europe and its dietary implications
A rallying point for different predators
| Unique citing works | 4 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 4 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |