@article{47e9bab2ba1f46108ab0184d1ac2a58e,
title = "Captive hyaena bone choice and destruction, the Schlepp effect and olduvai archaeofaunas",
abstract = "Skeletal element representation at archaeological and palaeontological sites often differs from natural anatomical proportions. At archaeological sites this pattern could result from hominid behaviour, predepositional destructive or dispersive forces (such as carnivore ravaging), or post-depositional destructive forces (such as sediment compaction and leaching). Predepositional ravaging by carnivores is documented at several important Plio-Pleistocene archaeofaunal assemblages (FLK Zinjanthropus and FLKN levels 1-2). Here we present the first systematic and controlled experimental data on the effect of this process on skeletal element survival. Simulated archaeological assemblages of defleshed hammerstone-broken and unbroken bones were created within a captive spotted hyaena enclosure, and controlled numbers of hyaenas were allowed to ravage the sites. Vertebrae and pelves were nearly always chosen first for consumption by the hyaenas. Vertebrae and ribs were nearly always destroyed completely and pelves were destroyed 50% of the time. Limb-bone ends were frequently destroyed, while limb middle shaft fragments preserve nearly 100% of the original number of elements. Thus, hominid discarded bone assemblages, regardless of the original representation of elements, can come to resemble the schlepp effect simply through post-hominid hyaena scavenging. The documented pattern at FLK Zinjanthropus and FLKN1-2 of low frequencies of vertebrae, ribs and pelves and high frequencies of limbs may be due to post-hominid ravaging by hyaenas and not selective hominid transport of limb elements to the sites.",
keywords = "Bone Density, Carnivore Ravaging, Olduvai, Schlepp Effect, Spotted Hyaena",
author = "Marean, {Curtis W.} and Spencer, {Lillian M.} and Blumenschine, {Robert J.} and Capaldo, {Salvatore D.}",
note = "Funding Information: Our experiments have modelled the processes of spotted hyaena destruction of a hominid discarded bone assemblage. The data show that spotted hyaenas nearly always choose vertebrae and pelves for consumption prior to other elements. Once chosen, the bones are then subjected to consumption that destroys various portions of the elements. All portions of vertebrae and ribs are destroyed nearly 100% of the time. All portions of pelves and compact bones are destroyed between 50% and 75% of the time. The ends of limb-bones are destroyed frequently, but the middle shaft fragments are virtually never destroyed. This means that hominid discarded bone assemblages that have been ravaged by hyaenas will be robbed of vertebrae, ribs, pelves and compact bones, but the original number of limb elements will be reconstructible from middle shaft fragments. The result of hyaena ravaging is to mimic the schlepp effect. The pattern of low frequencies of vertebrae, ribs and pelves and high frequencies of limb elements documented the Plio-Pleistocene Olduvai archaeological sites could be due to post-hominid ravaging by hyaenas. Selective hominid transport of limb elements is not a required explanation of this pattern Acknowledgements The experimental stage of this study was greatly facilitated by the helpful staff at the Berkeley Spotted Hyena Colony, Berkeley, California. Laurence Frank was particularly helpful during the research with the hyaenas, and Stephen Glickman consented to the experiments. The captive colony is supported by the National Institute of Health grant no. 5ROl MH 39917 to Stephen Glickman. We thank Richard G. Klein, R. Lee Lyman and an anonymous reviewer for their helpful comments.",
year = "1992",
month = jan,
doi = "10.1016/0305-4403(92)90009-R",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "19",
pages = "101--121",
journal = "Journal of Archaeological Science",
issn = "0305-4403",
publisher = "Academic Press Inc.",
number = "1",
}