| Hominin-carnivore interactions during the Chinese Early Paleolithic: taphonomic perspectives from Xujiayao. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 18387651 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The ability of archaic Homo sapiens to survive in more northerly latitudes was contingent on securing a regular source of animal fat and protein. We present a taphonomic study that examines how successful these hominins were at acquiring these food sources during the latter part of the Early Paleolithic in Northeast Asia. This study focuses on the long bone midshaft surface modifications observed on the faunal remains from Xujiayao, a middle-late Pleistocene open-air site located at 40 degrees latitude in the western Nihewan Basin, northern China. The faunal assemblage is dominated by equid remains. Analysis of the percussion, tooth, and cut mark frequencies on the long bone midshafts demonstrates that the Xujiayao hominins had primary access to high utility (meat-bearing and marrow-rich) long bones. Investigation of the dual-patterned (tooth-marked and butchery-marked) bone fragments suggests that hominins were under little pressure from competing carnivores to abandon their kills. The lack of significant differences between the size of fragments with only percussion-marks and those with only tooth-marks supports these findings. Fragmentation ratios indicate that forelimbs were more intensively processed than hind limbs. Based on the water rounding and abrasion data, the Xujiayao assemblage is likely of autochthonous origin. Since the age of Xujiayao is still in question, we can only conclude that archaic Homo sapiens were successful predators of large game in Northeast Asia some time during the latter part of the Early Paleolithic. |
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Authors:
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Christopher J Norton; Xing Gao |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2008-04-02 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of human evolution Volume: 55 ISSN: 0047-2484 ISO Abbreviation: J. Hum. Evol. Publication Date: 2008 Jul |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2008-06-09 Completed Date: 2008-09-23 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0337330 Medline TA: J Hum Evol Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 164-78 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 142 Xizhimenwai Street, Beijing 100044, China. k_s_g@hotmail.com |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Anthropology, Physical* Bone and Bones / anatomy & histology, chemistry China Feeding Behavior Fossils Hominidae / anatomy & histology, classification, physiology* Paleontology* Predatory Behavior* |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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