Taphonomy of alpine marmot (Marmota marmota) remains from the Late Pleistocene deposits of the East Brina Cave, Croatia
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The Late Pleistocene deposits of the East and West Brina Caves near Drniš have yielded one of the largest collections of alpine marmot (Marmota marmota LINNAEUS, 1758) remains in Croatia. A total of 425 skeletal remains were recovered, with 411 originating from the East Brina Cave. Taphonomic analysis of this assemblage reveals that multiple factors influenced the accumulation and preservation of marmot remains. While natural mortality, most probably, was the primary cause, secondary agents such as predation by small carnivores, particularly martens and foxes, played a significant role. Additionally, a small number of bones bear cut marks, suggesting occasional human exploitation of alpine marmots by Paleolithic hunters. Bone surface modifications indicate that many remains were exposed before burial. These findings provide insights into Late Pleistocene alpine marmot ecological dynamics, and human subsistence strategies in southeastern Europe.
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