Deciphering the taphonomic history of an Upper Paleolithic faunal assemblage from Zouhrah Cave/El Harhoura 1, Morocco

Abstract

Overlap in the use of caves between hominids and animals has frequently been documented in the prehistoric record. In the Maghreb, Zouhrah Cave, also called El Harhoura 1 (Témara, Morocco), has yielded a few Aterian lithic tools and an abundance of fauna. This faunal assemblage is dominated by gazelles (41% of identified remains) and many carnivore species, including remains of both spotted and striped hyena. Extensive porcupine activity is also evident. The observation of numerous coprolites, in combination with the study of ungulate mortality profiles, skeletal element representation and pattern of bone modifications, all demonstrate that the cave functioned more as a carnivore den than an anthropogenic site even during the Neolithic. Our analysis reveals that the Zouhrah Cave faunal assemblage was created by multiple agents: human, hyena and porcupine. We suggest that this may be a typical signature for Upper Pleistocene cave sites in the Mediterranean region.

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