An actualistic replication of a cranial fracture and linear mark observed on a Middle Pleistocene(0.6 Ma) fossil suid from Bodo, Ethiopia : human predation or natural cause ?

A. Souron , A. Canevet , D. Cochard , C. Knusel , A.-M. Moigne (1) , W. Gilbert

1 HNHP - Histoire naturelle de l'Homme préhistorique

A Kolpochoerus majus (Suidae) cranium from Middle Pleistocene (0.6 Ma) deposits of Bodo, Ethiopia displays fractures on the vault and a linear mark on the occipital bone. Using an actualistic approach, we experimentally produced similar fractures and marks with various objects on a collection of heads of wild boars (Sus scrofa) from Tautavel, France. The results suggest that the fractures are consistent with peri-mortem blunt force trauma, and that the mark on the occipital resembles butchery cut marks. This fossil cranium could therefore represent the earliest direct evidence of animal acquisition and processing by hominids.

Domaines: Archéologie et Préhistoire

A. Souron, A. Canevet, D. Cochard, C. Knusel, A.-M. Moigne, et al.. An actualistic replication of a cranial fracture and linear mark observed on a Middle Pleistocene(0.6 Ma) fossil suid from Bodo, Ethiopia : human predation or natural cause ?. Conference: African Conference on Experimental Archaeology Johannesburg, Mar 2018, Johannesbourg, South Africa. ⟨hal-02784730⟩