부산대학교 도서관

This PhD thesis examines Pleistocene deposits and the co-occurrence of a small number of lithic artifacts and numerous large mammal bones that present frequent carnivore damage. Some researchers propose hominid scavenging as an explanation for the accumulation of carcasses, while others rule out such a foraging strategy. Within this framework, the main objective of this study is to analyse the Upper Pleistocene deposits in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula to determine the role of carnivore and human agency in the faunal assemblages. The analyses are conducted in the Cova del Rinoceront (Castelldefels), the Cova del Gegant (Sitges) and the Cova del Coll Verdaguer (Cervelló) in the Garraf-Ordal Massif (Barcelona). This massif forms part of the Catalan Coastal Range, a low-relief mountain chain (<600 m high) and represents one of the most important karst systems in the NE Iberian Peninsula. To establish the role of the biological agents in these deposits, taphonomic and zooarchaeological analyses of bones, together with the description of coprolites, are reported at these sites. In the Cova del Coll Verdaguer and the Cova del Gegant, the large number of skeletal remains are documented as having been accumulated primarily by hyenas, although the presence of other carnivores in the caves is also documented. In the Cova del Rinoceront, by contrast, other carnivores, including felids and canids, are primarily responsible for the bone assemblages. In addition, there is evidence that all three caves were used by bears for hibernation. Thus, no evidence of hominid scavenging activities can be observed at these sites and accordingly the lithic assemblages are not related to the marginal scavenging of ungulates from carnivore dens. The scarce presence of lithics and the few anthropic marks suggest very sporadic human visits to the caves, and there is no evidence of carnivore competition. Finally, the Cova del Gegant has yielded Neanderthal fossils belonging to different individuals.