Experimental butchering of a chimpanzee carcass for archaeological purposes

PloS One
Palmira SaladiéJuan Marín

Abstract

Two archaeological assemblages from the Sierra de Atapuerca sites show evidence of anthropogenic cannibalism. These are the late Early Pleistocene level TD6-2 at Gran Dolina, and the Bronze Age level MIR4 in the Mirador Cave. Despite the chronological distance between these two assemblages, they share the common feature that the human remains exhibit a high frequency of anthropogenic modifications (cut marks, percussion pits and notches and peeling). This frequency could denote special treatment of bodies, or else be the normal result of the butchering process. In order to test these possibilities, we subjected a chimpanzee carcass to a butchering process. The processing was intensive and intended to simulate preparation for consumption. In doing this, we used several simple flakes made from quartzite and chert from quarries in the Sierra de Atapuerca. The skull, long bones, metapodials and phalanges were also fractured in order to remove the brain and bone marrow. As a result, about 40% of the remains showed some kind of human modification. The frequency, distribution and characteristics of these modifications are very similar to those documented on the remains of Homo antecessor from TD6-2. In case of the MIR4 assemblage, the...Continue Reading

References

Aug 11, 1995·Science·J M Parés, A Pérez-González
Aug 1, 1997·Journal of Human Evolution·J L ArsuagaN García
Oct 23, 1998·Journal of Human Evolution·S D Capaldo
Sep 25, 1999·Journal of Human Evolution·J M Parés, A Pérez-González
Sep 25, 1999·Journal of Human Evolution·C FalguèresJ M Dolo
Sep 25, 1999·Journal of Human Evolution·Y Fernández-JalvoJ Rosell
Sep 25, 1999·Journal of Human Evolution·J C DíezI Cáceres
Sep 25, 1999·Journal of Human Evolution·E CarbonellJ M Vergès
Oct 3, 1999·Science·A DefleurE Crégut-Bonnoure
Dec 14, 2006·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Antonio RosasJavier Fortea
May 12, 2007·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Isabel CáceresPalmira Saladié
Jul 25, 1986·Science·P VillaM Branca
Mar 28, 2008·Nature·Eudald CarbonellJuan L Arsuaga
Aug 12, 2009·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Mary C StinerAvi Gopher
Oct 19, 2010·Journal of Human Evolution·Yolanda Fernández-Jalvo, Peter Andrews
Mar 2, 2011·PloS One·Silvia M BelloChris B Stringer
Aug 2, 2011·Journal of Human Evolution·Palmira SaladiéEudald Carbonell

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations


❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
scraping

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.