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Micromammal
Taphonomy in the Site of Ohalo II (19 Ky., Jordan Valley). Miriam Belmaker, Dani Nadel & Eitan Tchernov
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| ABSTRACT: Micromammals are readily used to reconstruct the
paleoenvironment of prehistoric and geological sites. Taphonomic analysis
is crucial to remove biases due to differential deposition and
accumulation processes. The submerged site of Ohalo II, Jordan Valley (radiometrically
dated to 19400 BP) was chosen as a case study for micromammal taphonomy
research in an open-air Early Epipaleolithic site. The excavated remains
include brush huts, several hearths and a human burial. Preservation of in-situ
organic remains is excellent. Remains
of five micromammal species were found at the site: Microtus guentheri (social vole), Meriones tristrami (Tristram’s jird), Mus cf. macedonicus (house
mouse), Rattus rattus (black rat)
and Erinacaeus europaeus (European
hedgehog). The taphonomic study suggests that post-depositional process
such as trampling altered the assemblage to such a degree that it
prohibits the recognition of the origin of deposition.
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