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2019•Unpublished venueRequires access

Taphonomic analysis of the excavated faunal assemblage from BK East at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania

Megan Saunders

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Abstract

Since 2014, excavations of BK East (Bed II, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania) have found the site to produce well-preserved lithic materials and faunal assemblages bearing clear butchery marks. By analyzing the excavated assemblage from BK East for such factors as taxon and body size, skeletal element, and surface modifications, this study looks to answer the question of what taphonomic agents contributed to the creation of this assemblage. While the results are thus far preliminary, the assemblage consists of a high percentage of surface modifications (tooth marks (TM), percussion marks (PM), and cut marks (CM)) and shows clear signs of butchery by hominins at the site.

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What this paper is about

Since 2014, excavations of BK East (Bed II, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania) have found the site to produce well-preserved lithic materials and faunal assemblages bearing clear butchery marks. By analyzing the excavated assemblage from BK East for such factors as taxon and body size, skeletal element, and surface modifications, this study looks to answer the question of what taphonomic agents contributed to the creation of this assemblage. While the results are thus far preliminary, the assemblage consists of a high percentage of surface modifications (tooth marks (TM), percussion marks (PM), and cut marks (CM)) and shows clear signs of butchery by hominins at the site.

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Available abstract

Since 2014, excavations of BK East (Bed II, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania) have found the site to produce well-preserved lithic materials and faunal assemblages bearing clear butchery marks. By analyzing the excavated assemblage from BK East for such factors as taxon and body size, skeletal element, and surface modifications, this study looks to answer the question of what taphonomic agents contributed to the creation of this assemblage. While the results are thus far preliminary, the assemblage consists of a high percentage of surface modifications (tooth marks (TM), percussion marks (PM), and cut marks (CM)) and shows clear signs of butchery by hominins at the site.

Key concepts: Taphonomy, Olduvai Gorge, Assemblage (archaeology), Faunal assemblage, Geology, Archaeology, Paleontology, Tanzania

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