The taphonomy of carnivore predation and scavenging on humans: new methods and techniques

Abstract

Carnivore damage on Pleistocene hominin fossils is a much more common issue than previously though. Nevertheless, its study may reveal two different taphonomic stories, with important implications concerning the study of human behavior. Modified human skeletons can result from either predatory/defensive attacks or strictly scavenging events. Therefore, differentiating between these two types of hominin-carnivore interaction is essential, although not an easy task from a taphonomic perspective. New methods and techniques are required in order to understand the nature of carnivore damage on hominin fossils. In this sense, the aim of the present multidisciplinary research is to provide a useful framework to distinguish between attacking and scavenging events reflected on human skeletons. Specific case studies of Pleistocene hominin fossils such as H. erectus, H. neanderthalensis and H. sapiens are presented. In addition to a taphonomic analysis of human specimens, computed-tomography (CT) scans are used; current forensic cases of carnivore scavenging and attacks characterized; isotopic sampling of man-eating carnivores conducted; and taphonomic experiments with extant animals designed. These studies have been used as supporting information within a taphonomic analysis of human fossils, resulting in a framework useful for approaching the understanding of carnivore damage and modifications within the paleoanthropological record.