Connolly, James

This thesis employs zooarchaeological, taphonomic, and spatial analysis to reconstruct subsistence behaviors of Middle Paleolithic Neanderthals using layer V of Abric del Pastor as a case study. Located in Alcoy, Alicante, Spain, Abric del Pastor is a cave shelter with occupation layers dated from MIS 5 through 3. The faunal assemblage is examined on two time scales: i) a longer time frame focused on large scale human occupation and use and ii) another, shorter time frame in an attempt to distinguish possible shorter anthropogenic events. The layer V assemblage is comprised of at least two occupation events, Occupation A and Occupation B. These are two relatively well-preserved anthropogenic accumulations dominated by medium sized taxa. In these occupations, the carcasses were likely transported from a separate kill site to the cave shelter to be processed and consumed. The taxonomic and taphonomic patterns uncovered in these occupation events are similar suggesting consistent behavioral patterns throughout Layer V. Ultimately, the faunal assemblage is typical of other MIS 5-3 rock shelters in the Iberian Peninsula. By examining the subsistence practices of layer V, dated to MIS 4, this work aims to fill a gap in the MIS 4 Iberian Peninsula literature and add to the conversation on how early hominins adapted to the changing climate.

Author Keywords: Abric del Pastor, Iberian Peninsula, Middle Paleolithic, Palimpsest, Time Perspectivism, Zooarchaeology

The Upper Paleolithic sequence at Vale Boi, Portugal, represents an early example of resource intensification, for which evidence of both diet diversification and intensified utilization of faunal remains has been published. The current research project tests the hypothesis that bone grease rendering was occurring throughout the Upper Paleolithic sequence at Vale Boi. As there are various issues of equifinality which makes the identification of bone grease rendering challenging, data from experimental bone grease rendering studies were utilized. The resulting analysis demonstrated limited evidence in support of a sustained use of bone grease rendering during the Upper Paleolithic sequence. However, evidence suggested that alternate bone processing activities and discard behaviours may have been occurring at the site. This suggests that the dietary behaviours of the foragers at Vale Boi were more varied than previously hypothesized.

Author Keywords: Archaeozoology, Bone Grease Rendering, Faunal Analysis, Iberia, Resource Intensification, Upper Paleolithic