by Hervé Monchot
Monchot, H., Horwitz, L.K. 2002. Paléorient 28(2), 71-86.
In this article we describe and analyse skeletal element representation in two different sized ungulates, Bos and... more
In this article we describe and analyse skeletal element representation in two different sized ungulates, Bos and Dama, from the open-air, lower Paleolithic site of Holon, Israel (OIS 7). Results show inter-species differences in several skeletal indices which probably reflect variation in carcass exploitation according to the size of the animal. Both species have a reverse utility curve (MGUI index) which is characteristic of butchery sites. Bone density was not correlated with skeletal element representation such that the anatomical profile has not been significantly biased by bone preservation. Multivariate analysis of skeletal representation at Holon together with data for modern and archaeological analogues and Paleolithic sites from Europe and the Levant, illustrates that the assemblages fall into four groups each dominated by different element category: cranial, trunk, upper limbs and extremities. Holon falls between assemblages dominated by crania and extremities indicating that the meat rich axial and upper limb elements have been removed from the site. The high MNI counts per species and species diversity at the site, as well as the presence of cut marks and carnivore damage on some 6% of the bones best support a model for Holon of a palimpsest of kill/butchery occurrences where animals were killed and/or scavanged by both early hominids and carnivores.
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