Siuren I: new zooarchaeological results
Грот Сюрень I – это многослойная палеолитическая стоянка. Технико-типологическим анализом артефактов установлено, что материалы пачек горизонтов F, G и H относятся к ориньякской индустрии двух типов. Радиоуглеродным датированием был установлен возраст ориньяка Сюрени I: 28,5 – 30,0 тыс. лет назад. П...
Saved in:
| Date: | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Main Authors: | , |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Інститут археології НАН України
2009
|
| Series: | Археологический альманах |
| Online Access: | http://dspace.nbuv.gov.ua/handle/123456789/28864 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Journal Title: | Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine |
| Cite this: | Siuren I: new zooarchaeological results / J. Massé, M. Patou-Mathis // Археологический альманах. — 2009. — № 20. — С. 149-158. — англ. |
Institution
Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine| id |
irk-123456789-28864 |
|---|---|
| record_format |
dspace |
| spelling |
irk-123456789-288642011-11-25T12:15:18Z Siuren I: new zooarchaeological results Massé, J. Patou-Mathis, M. Грот Сюрень I – это многослойная палеолитическая стоянка. Технико-типологическим анализом артефактов установлено, что материалы пачек горизонтов F, G и H относятся к ориньякской индустрии двух типов. Радиоуглеродным датированием был установлен возраст ориньяка Сюрени I: 28,5 – 30,0 тыс. лет назад. Предположительно, авторами ориньякских артефактов были люди современного антропологического типа. Некоторое количество микокских орудий, ассоциирующихся с неандертальцами, обнаружено в пачках горизонтов G и H. На основании тафономического анализа костного материала сделан вывод о том, что основная роль в аккумуляции фауны в гроте принадлежит гоминидам. Остатки многочисленных поселений достаточно быстро консервировались обломочным материалом. Первобытными охотниками, в зависимости от размеров добытых животных, применялись разные подходы к их потреблению. Различий между способами эксплуатации фауны в горизонтах пачек G и H не установлено, как, впрочем, нельзя соотнести определенные способы использования фаунистических ресурсов с антропологическим типом охотников. Во время аккумуляции пачек горизонтов G и H грот Сюрень I многократно использовался как кратковременный охотничий лагерь, на территории которого происходили разделка и потребление добычи. 2009 Article Siuren I: new zooarchaeological results / J. Massé, M. Patou-Mathis // Археологический альманах. — 2009. — № 20. — С. 149-158. — англ. XXXX-0084 http://dspace.nbuv.gov.ua/handle/123456789/28864 en Археологический альманах Інститут археології НАН України |
| institution |
Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine |
| collection |
DSpace DC |
| language |
English |
| description |
Грот Сюрень I – это многослойная палеолитическая стоянка. Технико-типологическим анализом артефактов установлено, что материалы пачек горизонтов F, G и H относятся к ориньякской индустрии двух типов. Радиоуглеродным датированием был установлен возраст ориньяка Сюрени I: 28,5 – 30,0 тыс. лет назад. Предположительно, авторами ориньякских артефактов были люди современного антропологического типа. Некоторое количество микокских орудий, ассоциирующихся с неандертальцами, обнаружено в пачках горизонтов G и H. На основании тафономического анализа костного материала сделан вывод о том, что основная роль в аккумуляции фауны в гроте принадлежит гоминидам. Остатки многочисленных поселений достаточно быстро консервировались обломочным материалом. Первобытными охотниками, в зависимости от размеров добытых животных, применялись разные подходы к их потреблению. Различий между способами эксплуатации фауны в горизонтах пачек G и H не установлено, как, впрочем, нельзя соотнести определенные способы использования фаунистических ресурсов с антропологическим типом охотников. Во время аккумуляции пачек горизонтов G и H грот Сюрень I многократно использовался как кратковременный охотничий лагерь, на территории которого происходили разделка и потребление добычи. |
| format |
Article |
| author |
Massé, J. Patou-Mathis, M. |
| spellingShingle |
Massé, J. Patou-Mathis, M. Siuren I: new zooarchaeological results Археологический альманах |
| author_facet |
Massé, J. Patou-Mathis, M. |
| author_sort |
Massé, J. |
| title |
Siuren I: new zooarchaeological results |
| title_short |
Siuren I: new zooarchaeological results |
| title_full |
Siuren I: new zooarchaeological results |
| title_fullStr |
Siuren I: new zooarchaeological results |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Siuren I: new zooarchaeological results |
| title_sort |
siuren i: new zooarchaeological results |
| publisher |
Інститут археології НАН України |
| publishDate |
2009 |
| url |
http://dspace.nbuv.gov.ua/handle/123456789/28864 |
| citation_txt |
Siuren I: new zooarchaeological results / J. Massé, M. Patou-Mathis // Археологический альманах. — 2009. — № 20. — С. 149-158. — англ. |
| series |
Археологический альманах |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT massej siureninewzooarchaeologicalresults AT patoumathism siureninewzooarchaeologicalresults |
| first_indexed |
2025-07-03T09:01:06Z |
| last_indexed |
2025-07-03T09:01:06Z |
| _version_ |
1836615747129835520 |
| fulltext |
iNtrodUctioN
archaeological discoveries in crimea for middle and
Upper Palaeolithic periods tend to show that the anatomically
modern human had sporadic settlements at the time of the
transition (around 30 000 years BP). In fact, only two Upper
Palaeolithic sites have been found, against thirty-five for the
Middle Palaeolithic: the “Eastern Szeletian” level from the
site of Buran-Kaya III and the Aurignacian Units from the
site of Siuren I (Chabai 1998; 2001). The studies of those
EUP levels are, then, important to understand the behaviour
and the possible coexistence of the last Neanderthal and the
first anatomically Modern Human from Eastern Europe.
the information that the archaeological analysis of the
faunal remains of Siuren I can provide is important to answer
those questions. Taphonomic studies of Units F, G and
H, first, verify the anthropic nature of their accumulation.
they also tend to reconstruct the environmental conditions
believed to have prevailed at that time of transition, in which
the Neanderthal and anatomically Modern Human evolved.
Finally, with a paleoethnographic approach, analysis of
faunal remains provide hypothesis about the strategies of
subsistence like prey acquisition, butchering treatment and
site function.
archaeozoological studies, taphonomic and
paleoethnographic ultimately try to underline if there are
any differences between the strategies of subsistence choose
by Homo neandertalensis and by Homo sapiens sapiens to
understand the crucial moment of the transitional period
between the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic.
SITE PRESENTATION
Siuren I is a stratified rock-shelter situated in south-west
Crimea, Ukraine (Fig. 1), on the left side of the Belbek River.
The rock-shelter is 43 meters large, 15 meters deep and 9 to
10 meters in height. Known since 1879-1880, Siuren I has
been the subject of multiple excavations during the years
1926 to 1929 (Demidenko et al. 1998), and finally in 1994
– 1997.
three basic in situ Unit levels have been found during
that last period of excavations, the middle Unit levels (Unit
siuren i: neW zooArchAeologicAl resulTs
J. MASSÉ & M. PATOU-MATHIS
Figure 1. Middle and Upper Paleolithic Crimean sites (redrawn from чабай, 2004а).
сюрень I: новые результаты зооархеологических исследований150
Figure 2. Siuren I: stratigraphy and AMS chronology. The western and northern sections of the excavated area; the Arabic numerals
indicate the position of the lithological layers; the combination of Latin letters and Arabic numerals showing the position of
archeological levels (redrawn from чабай, 2004а).
Siuren I: new zooarchaeological results 151
F), and two lower Unit levels (Units G and H) which would
be the subject of that article.
CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHY
in three meters of sediment, there are nine basic periods
of settlement that have been discovered during the 1994 and
1997 excavations: four levels in Unit F (Fa1-Fa2, Fa3, Fb1-
Fb2 and Fc), four levels in Unit G (Ga, Gb1-Gb2, Gc1-Gc2
and Gd) and one level in Unit H.
The Unit G is subdivided into four basic levels (Ga, Gb1-
Gb2, Gc1-Gc2 and Gd) each of them being excavated on
twelve square meters area. By sediments, they are basically
composed of different coloured brown fine sediments
containing and separated by different sized limestone
éboulis, as well as characterized by some hearth and ashy
internal lenses. The single level of Unit H, also excavated
on the same twelve square meters area, is associated with
dark yellowish–brown clay with rare limestone éboulis.
Unit h is separated from Unit g levels by huge limestone
blocks of the rock-shelter’s fifth rock-fall horizon. All in all,
the Units H and G do constitute ca. 1 meter thick cultural
bearing sediments sequence (see for details Demidenko et
al. 1998, p. 371-377).
radiocarbon dating told us that these three units have
been rapidly formed, between 31500 and 27000 years ago,
during Arcy (Unit G) and Maisières Interstades (Unit F)
(Demidenko, Otte 2000-2001) (Fig. 2).
CULTURAL CONTEXTS
Since the recent excavations, two cultural assemblages
have been defined: the first one corresponding to unit F and
attributed to a late Aurignacian (with Dufour bladelets of
Dufour sub-type). The second one, corresponding to Units
G and H, has been attributed to an old Aurignacian (with
Dufour bladelets of Roc de Combe sub-type and Krems
points).
4709 lithic pieces have been found in the Unit G. The
artefacts are principally end scrapers, burins, blades, blade-
lets, notched blades, microliths and cores. There are also 17
flint tools attributed to the Middle Palaeolithic Micoquian
assemblage. Five bone points and an awl of Aurignacian
types, as well as two Micoquian bone retouchers have been
discovered during the 1990s excavations. Fifty Aurignacian
bone points and awls, and two Micoquian bone retouchers
were also found during the 1920s excavations (демиден-
ко, ахметгалеева, в печати). Also, a series of beads were
discovered as well, some made on Aporrhais pes pelicani
marine shells and some on Taeodoxus fluviatilis L. и theo-
doxus transversalis C. Pff. river shells (Demidenko et al.
1998; Mikhailesku, in preparation).
In the Unit H, 682 lithic pieces have been found includ-
ing 3 Middle Palaeolithic Micoquian tools, but no one bone
or personal ornament artefact.
The 20 flint tools and 23 unifacial and bifacial tool
treatment flakes and chips attributed to the Middle
Palaeolithic Micoquian assemblage in the 1990s excavations
Units H and G and similar Micoquian 40 flint tools and
some rejuvenation chips in the 1920s excavations have been
attributed to the Kiik-Koba facies of Crimean Micoquian.
Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain their
presence:
1) Chabai (1998): exchanges between two cultures (lo-
cal and intrusive).
2) Demidenko (демиденко, 2000): an alternation be-
tween two human groups. An ephemeral occupation by Ne-
anderthal and a more intensive occupation, but on a short
period of time, by anatomical modern humans (like at Buran
Kaya III; Patou-Mathis 2004).
PALAECOLOGY
Siuren is situated at the intersection of two regions:
the foothills of the Second ridge of crimean mountains
and steppe. The species found in Units G and H, Saiga
(Saiga tatarica), Aurochs (Bos primigenius) or Bison
(Bison priscus), Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), giant deer
(Megaloceros giganteus), Horse (equus caballus), Wolf
(Canis lupus), Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Polar Fox (Alopex
lagopus) and Common Hare (Lepus europaeus), indicate
a mosaic landscape composed of steppe and trees near the
river. The weather was quite cold and not arid. There are
signs of warming since the level Gc1-Gc2 with an apparition
of cervids and an augmentation of common fox instead of
Polar Fox; in Unit H there are only Polar Fox (Massé 2008)
(Fig. 3).
The unit H was probably formed in the stadial phase
before the Arcy interstadial.
TAPHONOMY
The faunal remains discovered in the two Units are
represented by more than 14000 bones: 88% of those are
unidentifiable (Table 1).
In unit G, we can note a great conservation of bone
surfaces without important alterations; more than ¾ of the
bones have a length less than or equal to two centimetres
(Table 2). Marks from weathering are not overly abundant
which would indicate that the bones might only have been
exposed for a short time in the open air (a short time for
levels Ga and Gb1-Gb2: stage 2, Berhensmeyer 1978;
Auguste, 1994, and a shorter time for levels Gc1-Gc2 and
Gd). Percolation and streaming marks, more important for
level Gc1-Gc2, have been identified, which means that the
climate was relatively humid. There are also marks made
by small roots of plant that are noticeable, more intense and
on a more important amount of bones for level Gd (Fig. 4)
and for squares 8E and 9E. That can identify an area more
humid (Auguste 1994). Carrying marks are rare. Also, there
сюрень I: новые результаты зооархеологических исследований152
are just fifteen bones that show carnivores activity (four in
level Gb1-Gb2: one on a wolf canine, on a tibia, on a mid-
shaft of an indeterminate long bone of a large mammal and
on a saiga phalanx, Fig. 4; nine in level Gc1-Gc2: one on a
tooth, on a first and on a second phalanx of saiga, on three
fragments of metatarsal of bovid, on a humerus, on a second
phalanx of Bovine and one on a mid-shaft of long bone of
large mammal; two in level Gd: on a tibia of red fox and
on an ulna of indeterminate fox). Sometime, there are tooth
marks covering anthropoid marks. There are trace amounts
of ochre on eight bones (two in Ga, on skull fragment of
saiga, one in Gb1-Gb2, on a mid-shaft of long bone of
large mammal, one in Gc1-Gc2, on a rib of a medium-size
mammal and four in gd, on ribs from a hare, a bovine, a
middle-size mammal and a large mammal), that could have
been used, for example, for working skin.
In Unit H, the bones are highly fragmented too. There is
not a great evidence for climato-edaphic agents. The faunal
remains have been exposed to the air for a shorter duration
than in Unit G. There are some carrying marks, but nothing
significant, and no carnivore’s marks. Water and plants are
the two principal agents of alteration; same intensity as in
Unit G. Like in G, ochre traces have been identified on a
large mammal’s rib.
in both Units, assemblages of faunal remains are certain
to have a human origin with an anecdotic role of carnivore.
PREY ACQUISITION
After a quantification of the faunal remains, an estimation
of the number of individuals and their ages, we can deduce
that the inhabitants of Siuren i hunted a small amount of prey
ranging from up to seven different species. The occupation
was short in time and/or by a small number of people. Those
observations seem to correspond to an opportunist strategy
of subsistence (Farizy, David 1989).
In levels Ga-Gb1-Gb2 (regrouped because the two
levels can not be separated), fifteen individuals have been
estimated. Five of them have probably been hunted: two
Saigas (one prime-adult and one old-adult), one Giant Deer
(old prime-adult), one Bovine (one sub-adult or prime-adult
s.l.) and one Polar Fox (prime-adult). Three other have been
hunted or scavenged: one Horse (prime-adult, two fœtus
bones, probably Horse, indicated that the individual was a
pregnant female), one Deer (prime-adult s.l.) and one Bovine
(a sub-adult or prime-adult s.l.) (Table 3; Fig. 6 and 7).
In level Gc1-Gc2, of the nineteen individuals estimated,
two Saïgas (one prime-adult and one old-adult male), two
Bovines (one young and one prime-adult s.l.), one giant
Deer (sub-adult), one Red Fox, one Polar Fox (female
prime-adult) and one Hare have probably been hunted.
Three Horses (one young, one, aged 5-7 years-old, one,
aged 9 or 10 years-old; two foetus bones aged 230-300
days-old indicated that one of this individual was a pregnant
female dead in winter (Prummel 1987; Fig. 5) and one Deer
(sub-adult) have been hunted or scavenged (Table 3; Fig. 6
and 7).
In level Gd, on thirteen individuals estimated, two
Saigas (one prime-adult and one old-adult), one Bovine
(prime-adult s.l.) and one Polar Fox (female prime-adult)
have probably been hunted. Three Horses (one, aged 3
or 4 years-old, one, aged 5 or 6 years-old and one around
10 years-old) and one Deer (very young adult) have been
Table 2. Siuren I: bones repartition by their maximal length, levels of the unit G (in Massé, 2008).
ga gb gc gd
classes Nrt %NRT Nrt %NRT Nrt %NRT Nrt %NRT
>10mm 82 31,66 796 36,38 1842 29,15 877 33,14
10>20mm 127 49,03 762 34,83 2185 34,58 855 32,31
20>50mm 48 18,53 558 25,50 2035 32,21 823 31,10
50>100mm 2 0,77 66 3,02 240 3,80 89 3,36
>100mm – – 6 0,27 16 0,25 2 0,08
TOTAL: 259 100,00 2188 100,00 6318 100,00 2646 100,00
Table 1. Siuren I: composition of the bones remains from units G and H (in Massé 2008). NR: Number of total Remains;
NRI: Number of Remains Indeterminate; NRDa: Number of Remains Determinate (anatomically); NRDt: Number of
Remains Determinate (taxonomically).
Unit g Unit h
ga % gb % gc % gd % g % h %
Nrdt 12 4,63 284 12,98 390 6,17 251 9,49 937 8,21 210 7,87
Nrda 11 4,25 99 4,52 345 5,46 209 7,90 582 5,10 181 6,78
Nri 236 91,12 1805 82,50 5583 88,37 2186 82,61 9893 86,69 2278 85,35
Nr 259 100,00 2188 100,00 6318 100,00 2646 100,00 11412 100,00 2669 100,00
Siuren I: new zooarchaeological results 153
Figure 4. Siuren I: to the left: marks from Carnivore activities (Saiga phalanx, level Gc)
and to the right: marks from plants activities (Level Gd).
Figure 5. SiurenI, level Gc: horse foetus bone
aged between 230 and 300 days old. Figure 6. Siuren I, Unit G: number of ungulate individuals.
Figure 3. Siuren I, Units G and H: minimal number of individuals
(by combination).
сюрень I: новые результаты зооархеологических исследований154
Figure 9. Siuren I, level Gb: Saiga pyramidal (to left) and Polar Fox tibia (to right) bones showing disarticulation marks.
Figure 10. Siuren I, level Gd: mid-shaft of a long bone of a great
mammal showing stigmata of fracturation to obtain the marrow.
Figure 7. Siuren I, Unit G: number of carnivore individuals. Figure 8. Siuren I, Unit H: number of individuals.
Siuren I: new zooarchaeological results 155
hunted or scavenged (Table 3; Fig. 6 and 7).
In Unit H, of the twelve individuals estimated, three
Saigas (one young, one prime-adult and one old-adult), one
Bovine (prime-adult s.l.) and one Polar Fox (prime-adult)
have probably been hunted and two Horses (one young and
one prime-adult), hunted or scavenged (Table 4 and Fig. 8).
bUtcheriNg treatmeNt
There is an important deficit of bones in all levels. Which
would be due to poor conservation, to different climato-
edaphics agents, to carnivorous action after the human
departure and/or simply because the hunted or scavenged
animals have been butchered outside of Siuren i and brought
in different pieces.
in every level, cut marks from butchery and hammer
stone bone breaking stigmata (for marrow recuperation)
have been observed on a large number of bones (Lyman
1994; Patou-Mathis 1994, 1997). Those marks would
indicate human intervention on most of the herbivores and
on a select few Fox.
there are certain hypotheses that can be proposed
considering the conservation of the different skeletal
elements and the cut marks observed on the bones. In levels
Ga and Gb1-Gb2, the saigas where probably transported
in one piece (presence of osteal cartilage) and probably
dismembered outside of the rock-shelter. The three large
species, horse, bovine and giant deer, have been processed
near the hunting place, then chosen pieces, certainly the
Table 3. Siuren I: number of bones elements and individuals determinate in the faunal remains of unit G. NR: Number
of total Remains; NRI: Number of Remains Indeterminate; MNE: Minimal Number of Element; MNIc: Minimal
Number of Individuals by combination.
level ga gb gc gd
SPECIES/NUMBER Nr mNe mNic Nr mNe mNic Nr mNe mNic Nr mNe mNic
equus caballus – – – 6 5 1 44 23 3 23 9 3
equus hydruntinus – – – – – – – – – – – –
Saiga tatarica 11 9 1 67 28 1 176 93 2 170 52 2
Bison/Bos – – – 121 26 2 25 11 2 24 12 1
Megaloceros giganteus – – – 91 8 1 34 19 1 – – –
Cervus elaphus – – – 27 3 1 4 3 1 – – –
Cervidae 3 2 1 – – – – – – 2 2 1
Bovinae/Megaloceros – – – – – – 3 1 – – – –
Artiodactyla 1 1 – – – – 13 1 – – – –
Sub-Total Herbivores: 15 12 2 312 70 6 299 151 9 219 75 7
Canis lupus – – – 5 5 1 50 38 3 5 5 1
Vulpes vulpes 1 1 1 3 3 1 21 18 2 6 5 1
Alopex lagopus – – – 12 12 2 46 42 2 59 41 3
Vulpinae 1 1 – 31 16 – 111 33 1 44 13 –
Small Carnivore – – – – – – 1 1 1 – – –
Sub-Total Carnivores: 2 2 1 51 36 4 229 132 9 114 64 5
Lepus sp. 1 1 1 1 1 1 12 11 1 9 7 1
Lepus/Vulpinae – – – – – – 3 2 – 37 15 –
TOTAL: 18 15 4 364 107 11 543 296 19 333 139 13
large mammals 2 2 5 – 72 – 23 –
Medium-size Mammals – – 1 – 75 – 13 –
Small mammals 1 1 0 – 17 – 18 –
indeterminate mammals – – 6 2 9 7 3 –
Nrda 3 12 173 57
TOTAL: 21 18 4 376 – 11 716 – 19 390 – 13
rodent 2 2 1 8 8 1 10 9 2 8 7 1
bird 1 1 1 24 12 2 20 14 3 13 9 1
TOTAL: 24 21 6 408 – 14 746 – 24 411 – 15
Nri 236 1805 5583 2186
Nr 260 2213 6329 2597
сюрень I: новые результаты зооархеологических исследований156
higher utility parts (the one with a better amount of meat),
have been brought to the camp. In levels Ga-Gb1-Gb2, the
red deer is represented only by cranial remains, which
can suggest that the prehistoric where looking for antler,
unfortunately not discovered on the site. Butchering marks,
observed on six bones confirm the dismembering of a Saiga
(pyramidal, Fig. 9), a Horse (posterior foot), one Bovine
(anterior foot), one Deer (posterior foot) and one Polar
Fox (posterior foot, Fig. 9). Twenty-one long bones from
middle-size to large herbivores, for example, from Bovine
(five), Deer (two), Saïga (two) and Horse (two), have been
fractured to obtain the marrow. The principal area, where
the carcasses were processed was probably squares 8C and
7C.
Like in levels Ga and Gb1-Gb2, in level Gc1-Gc2,
the Saigas where probably transported in one piece and
dismembered in front of the rock-shelter. The three larger
species, horse, bovine and giant deer, and the red deer,
have been processed near the hunting place. Then, chosen
pieces, certainly the higher utility parts have been brought
to the camp. Thirty-five bones show butchering marks.
Some animals have been dismembered: a Horse (posterior
foot), a Bovine (anterior foot), a Cervid (Megaloceros?,
anterior foot), a Red Fox, a Polar Fox and an Hare. Some
filleting marks have been identified on two ribs from a Deer
and an indeterminate large mammal. Sixty-four long bones
from middle-size to large herbivores, for example, Bovine
(seven, six of them are metapodials), Cervid (eight, five
or them come from Giant Deer, seven are metapodials),
Saiga (fifteen, coming from all type of bones) and Horse
(five, three of them are tibias), have been broken to obtain
the marrow. The principal area for butchery was probably
squares 6D and 7C.
In level Gd, the Saiga where probably transported
complete at the site (presence of osteal cartilage). The
Bovine have been butchered near the hunting place. Skeletal
parts from horses and from one deer have also been
collected. Fourteen bones show butchering marks, four of
them remain to Saiga (dismembered) and another one to a
Polar Fox. Nines bones from middle-size mammals show
all the steps of butchery (skinning, dismembering, filleting
and fragmentation of long bone). Twenty-tree long bones
from middle-size to large herbivores, for example, Bovine
(three), Deer (two metacarpals), and Saiga (three), have been
fractured to obtain the marrow (Fig. 10). The principal area,
where the carcasses were processed was probably squares
6C and 6D.
in Unit h, the Saiga has probably been transported
in one piece (presence of osteal cartilage) and probably
dismembered in front of the rock-shelter. The Bovine have
been butchered on the hunting site and certain parts, those
with a lot of meat, have been transported to the camp. Pieces
from the two Horse carcasses have also been collected.
Eleven bones show butchering marks: three from a Saiga
(dismembering), two from a Horse (dismembering of a
posterior foot), one from a Fox (skinning?), four from a
large mammals (dismembering and filleting) and one from
a medium-size mammal. Thirteen long bones from middle-
size to large herbivores, for example, Bovine (six) and horse
(one), have been broken to obtain the marrow. The square
6E is probably the principal area where the butchering
activities took place.
Two Wolf canines, the only cranial section present at
Siuren i, could have resulted from an intentional collect by
the prehistoric.
Whatever the level, it appears that the Fox were hunted
for their fur. The long bones from the herbivores have been
fractured for marrow.
it is also important to notice that some bones,
undetermined and determinate, show burning marks in all
levels of Unit G and in Unit H; for example one rib of a
medium-size mammal in level Gb1-Gb2 and one metatarsal
of Polar Fox in level Gc1-Gc2 are burnt.
coNclUSioN
the fast covering of the faunal remains, particularly in
Gc1-Gc2, Gd and H, offered a relatively large conservation
estate (Auguste 1994). In both Units, the carnivores played
only a small role in the history of the faunal remains, and that
role is posterior to the human occupations. Then, the human
is the principal accumulating agent of those bones remains.
the hunting of limited preys living in different
environments: steppe areas (Saiga, Horse, Bovine) in G and
Table 4. Siuren I: number of bones elements and individuals
determinate in the faunal remains of unit H. NR: Number of
total Remains; NRI: Number of Remains Indeterminate; MNE:
Minimal Number of Element; MNIc: Minimal Number of
Individuals by combination.
SPECIES/DENOMBREMENT Nr mNe mNic
equus caballus 38 14 2
Bison/Bos 25 14 1
Saiga tatarica 89 52 3
Sub-Total Herbivores: 152 80 6
Canis lupus 9 9 3
Alopex lagopus 11 9 2
Vulpinae 89 63 1
Sub-Total Carnivores: 109 81 6
TOTAL: 261 161 12
large mammals 54
Medium-size Mammals 49
Small mammals 40
indeterminate mammals 3
Nrda 146
TOTAL: 407 12
rodent 5 3 1
bird 14 9 1
TOTAL: 426 14
Nri 2278
Nrt 2704
Siuren I: new zooarchaeological results 157
H; forest (Red Deer, Giant Deer) in G and ubiquity in G and
H (Fox), looks relatively opportunist. The scavenging of
certain individuals from large species cannot be excluded.
The smaller species (Saiga, Fox, Hare) have been
transported in one piece and the bigger (Horse, Red Deer,
Giant Deer, Bovine) in parts. The acquisition strategies and
the butchering treatment are stable from a level to another,
even with the climatic variations (Unit H appears to have
been more fresh than the Unit G).
the conservation of bones of Saiga is not correlated
to their density (% MAU/mineral density of Antilocapra
americana, the nearest specie with available data, Lyman,
1994, Fig. 11; statistic test for level Gc1-Gc2: r =0,194,
p=0,05, d.f.=81), but result from a human activity. The
nutritive strategy curve (% MAU / % MGUI), put in evidence
in the levels Gc1-Gc2 (Fig. 12), Gd and H, correspond to the
reserve “bulk” strategy” (from Binford 1978). The exploiting
strategies of the resources show an inverse skeletal element
utility, which would suggest a secondary transport of the
nutritive parts to another camp or a partial consumption on
the hunting site.
Siuren I is a site with mixed strategies where the eco-
nomics activities and technologies have been practiced
(knapping, butchery, consumption). Hearths have also been
discovered (Demidenko et al. 1998; Demidenko, Otte 2000-
2001). The number of artefacts, bones and lithics, is rela-
tively poor, which would suggest that the period of occupa-
tion was short in time.
The Siuren I rock-shelter can be assimilated, during the
formation of Units G and H, to a temporary habitat (in win-
ter for level Gc1-Gc2, and maybe for the level Gb1-Gb2
as well). Our archaeozoological interpretations are similar
to the stratigraphic and lithic data and lead to a human be-
haviour which is similar in all levels. Unfortunately, they
cannot distinguish the different inhabitants, Neanderthal or
Anatomically Modern Human.
This study was supported by the 2004-08 Research Pro-
gram “PPF Structure et Evolution des Ecosystemes” (head:
P. Grandcolas, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris)
of the French Ministry of Research and Tertiary Education.
Figure 11. Siuren I, level Gc1-Gc2: percentage of MAU by
mineral density of bones, test made on Saiga tatarica elements
(in Massé, 2008).
Figure 12. Siuren I, level Gc1-Gc2: nutritive strategy defined by
Saiga tatarica (in Massé, 2008).
сюрень I: новые результаты зооархеологических исследований158
резюме
массЭ дЖ., пату-матис м.
сюрень i: новые результАты
зооАрхеологических исследовАний
грот сюрень I – это многослойная палеолитическая
стоянка. технико-типологическим анализом артефактов
установлено, что материалы пачек горизонтов F, G и H
относятся к ориньякской индустрии двух типов. радио-
углеродным датированием был установлен возраст ори-
ньяка сюрени I: 28,5 – 30,0 тыс. лет назад. предположи-
тельно, авторами ориньякских артефактов были люди
современного антропологического типа. Некоторое ко-
личество микокских орудий, ассоциирующихся с неан-
дертальцами, обнаружено в пачках горизонтов G и H.
На основании тафономического анализа костного
материала сделан вывод о том, что основная роль в
аккумуляции фауны в гроте принадлежит гоминидам.
остатки многочисленных поселений достаточно бы-
стро консервировались обломочным материалом. пер-
вобытными охотниками, в зависимости от размеров
добытых животных, применялись разные подходы к
их потреблению. различий между способами эксплуа-
тации фауны в горизонтах пачек G и H не установлено,
как, впрочем, нельзя соотнести определенные способы
использования фаунистических ресурсов с антропо-
логическим типом охотников. во время аккумуляции
пачек горизонтов G и H грот сюрень I многократно ис-
пользовался как кратковременный охотничий лагерь,
на территории которого происходили разделка и по-
требление добычи.
|