The Mark of the Beast: a bone assemblage assessment from the North of the Iberian Peninsula (MIS 3)

The cave of Abauntz (Navarra, Spain) has had a consistent record of human presence since 50,000 years ago. In this paper, we present the results of the taphonomy and taxonomy analyses made on an assemblage composed of over 3,000 bones found in the unit h of the cave of Abauntz, the earliest level in the cave's stratigraphy with human presence and dated in the MIS 3. Taxonomy assessment described 14 mammal taxa, identified 2,426 remains, and quantified 33 individuals, showing a greater abundance of cave bears (Ursus spelaeus) over any other taxa. The Taphonomic study assessed the skeletal survival ratio, the assemblage spatial distribution, the skeletal elements' breakage pattern, and the toothmarks on the remains. Altogether, the combined results of the analyses allowed inferring that carnivores were the main accumulator agents over human activity. An occupation pattern of the cave is proposed here, with Ursus spelaeus using the cavity during winter as a shelter for hibernation. In contrast, carnivores used it in other seasons mainly for feeding. At some point during MIS 3, neanderthals used it briefly, leaving behind a lithic tools' assemblage. The results were compared to the faunal assemblages described in younger levels inside the cave, showing a severe decrease in the carnivore's variety and abundance.