Analysing criteria of formation in multi-stratified karst deposits: the observation of surfaces in Late Pleistocene faunal bones from Mora Cavorso cave (Latium, Central Italy)

ABSTRACT

Mora Cavorso cave is mostly known for preserving one of the largest human burials of early Neolithic in Central Italy, but it holds archaeological and palaeontological finds ranging from Late Pleistocene to historical times. The observation of faunal bone surfaces from Late Pleistocene layers has been carried out mainly to verify the human contribution to the formation of the bone accumulations. The assemblages are made up of about 3750 finds, 48% of which taxonomically identified, while 31% of the total show traces of surface alterations. Layer 8, the deeper and partially excavated, shows few traces on 28 finds with a dark patina. For Layer 7, boluses by birds of prey, traces of digestion and gnawing by small carnivores show the main agents of the formation of the bone accumulation. For Layer 6, just a small percentage of finds shows traces referrable mostly to small carnivores, with a few traces referrable to rodents. For Layer 5, gnawing of small carnivores was observed, however the occurrence of burnt bones and cut traces confirmed the hypothesis, based on the discovery of lithic artefacts, that the oldest human attendance in the cave is here attested and dates to Epigravettian period.

KEYWORDS:

• Taxonomy
• taphonomy
• small carnivores’ activity
• human activity
• environment

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici del Lazio for the permission to investigate the site, Municipality of Jenne and Shaka Zulu Speleoclub Subiaco for the logistical support, the students, volunteers, specialists, and local institutions that have helped carry out research in and around Mora Cavorso cave over the years. We are sincerely grateful to Simone Farina and Damiano De Marchi (University of Pisa), Paolo Agnelli (University of Firenze), Maria Paola Fratticci, Alberto Dominici (Natural Regional Park of Simbruini Mountains) for the opportunity to measure the respective osteological collections within their competence. The authors are thankful to the reviewer for the useful suggestions.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, A. F., upon reasonable request.