Christine Neugebauer-Maresch, Linda R. Owen (eds.)

New Aspects of the Central and Eastern European Upper Palaeolithic – methods, chronology, technology and subsistence

Österreichische Akademie der WissenschaftenPhilosophisch-historische Klasse

Mitteilungen der Prähistorischen Kommission

Herausgegeben von Herwig Friesinger

Band 72

Redaktion: Michaela Lochner

Christine Neugebauer-Maresch, Linda R. Owen (eds.)

New Aspects of the ceNtrAl ANd eAsterN europeAN upper pAlAeolithic – methods, chroNology, techNology

ANd subsisteNce

Symposium by the Prehistoric Commission of the Austrian Academy of SciencesVienna, November 9–11, 2005

Vorgelegt von w. M. Herwig Friesinger in der Sitzung am 2. Oktober 2009

Gedruckt mit Unterstützung durch die AbteilungKultur und Wissenschaft des Amtes der NÖ Landesregierung

Umschlagbild:Krems-Wachtberg 2005, Ivory bear of the double burial.

Aufnahme:Anthropol. Abt./NHM-Wien

Wissenschaftliche Redaktion: Christine Neugebauer-Maresch, Linda R. Owen

Lektorat: Linda R. OwenLayoutkonzept: Thomas Melichar

British Library Cataloguing in Publication dataA Catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library

Die verwendete Papiersorte ist aus chlorfrei gebleichtem Zellstoff hergestellt,frei von säurebildenden Bestandteilen und alterungsbeständig.

Alle Rechte vorbehaltenISBN 978-3-7001-6762-4

ISSN 0065-5376Copyright © 2010 by

Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, WienSatz und Layout: Grasl Druck & Neue Medien GmbH, 2540 Bad Vöslau

Druck und Bindung: Prime Rate Kft., Budapesthttp://hw.oeaw.ac.at/6762-4

http://verlag.oeaw.ac.atPrinted and bound in the EU

5

tAble of coNteNts

hAesAerts P., bAchNer M., borziAc I., chiricA V., dAmbloN F., drozdov N., KoulAKovsKA L., pirsoN S.New Insight on the Environmental Background and the Chronology of the Early Upper Palaeolithic in Central Europe – 9

siNitsyN A. A.The Early Upper Palaeolithic of Kostenki: Chronology, Taxonomy, and Cultural Affiliation – 27

cârciumAru M., ANgheliNu M., NitA L.The Upper Paleolithic in the Bistrita Valley (Northeastern Romania). An Overview of Old Evidence – 49

teyssANdier N.The Initial Dispersion of Anatomically Modern Humans in Europe? The Early Aurignacian in Central Europe and its Relationship with Neighbouring Areas – 65

Nigst P. N.The Aurignacian in Eastern Austria: Preliminary Results of an Analysis of the Lithic Technology of Willendorf II, layer 3, and its Implications for the Transition from Middle to Upper Palaeolithic in Central Europe – 81

Jöris O., NeugebAuer-mAresch C., weNiNger B., street M.The Radiocarbon Chronology of the Aurignacian to Mid-Upper Palaeolithic Transition along the Upper and Middle Danube – 101

bolus M.Continuity or Hiatus? The Swabian Aurignacian and the Transition to the Gravettian – 139

NeugebAuer-mAresch C.Archaeological and Palaeoecological Studies of Palaeolithic Industries before the Last Glacial Maximum between 32,000 and 20,000 BP. Investigations, Results and New Questions – 151

flAderer F. A., sAlcher-JedrAsiAK T.Animal Facts and Human Decisions, 27 ka ago: The Krems-Hundssteig 2000–2002 Camp Periphery – 163

bosch M., vAN hesseN H.Mammoth Molars from Krems-Hundssteig 2000–2002 – 183

oweN L. R.Fishing in the Upper Paleolithic of Southwest Germany. An Important Subsistence Activity? – 187

peticzKA R., riegler D., ottNer F.New Results from the “Stillfried B” Profile – 199

cârciumAru M., ANgheliNu M., steguweit L., lucAs G. NitA L., foNtANA L., brugère A., hAmbAch U., mArgArit M., dumitrAscu V., cosAc M., dumitru F., cArstiNA O.Recent Results from the Upper Paleolithic Site of Poiana Ciresului – Piatra Neamt (Northeastern Romania) – 209

6 Table of Contents

steguweit L.New Insights into the Inventory of Alberndorf (Lower Austria) and Some Remarks on the “Epi-Aurignacian” Contro-versy – 221

ANtl-weiser W., flAderer F. A., Nigst P. R., verpoorte A.Grub/Kranawetberg (Lower Austria) – Insights into a Gravettian Micro-region in Eastern Austria – 231

simoN U.Gravettian Lithic Assemblages of the Excavation Krems-Hundssteig 2000–2002 – 245

KrAliK M., eiNwögerer T.Imprints Discovered on Paleolithic Ceramics from Krems-Wachtberg and Krems-Hundssteig Sites, Lower Austria – 255

eiNwögerer T.Excavations at the Krems-Wachtberg Site and the Discovery of the Infant Burials – 273

häNdel M.Different Excavation Techniques and their Stratigraphic Results. A Comparison of the Excavations at Krems-Hundssteig 2000–2002 and Krems-Wachtberg 2005 – 285

hAmbAch U.Palaeoclimatic and Stratigraphic Implications of High Resolution Magnetic Susceptibility Logging of Würmian Loess at the Upper Palaeolithic Krems-Wachtberg Site – 295

wild E. M., steier P.14C Dating of Krems-Wachtberg, Austria – 305

Nigst P. R., violA T. B., ANtl-weiser W.Digital Documentation of Palaeolithic Excavations: A Case Study – 311

pAcher M.Raw Material Analysis of Upper Palaeolithic Bone Points and the Invention of the Olschewian – 319

183

other finds, such as ivory and additional molars, it was con-cluded that more than one individual is present (V84–W85). Taking these find clusters into account, the maximum number of individuals is 12. It was only possible to determine tooth generation and laterality (sinister/dexter) on eight finds. These showed there were a minimum number of individuals (MNI) of 7. Measurements were taken following maglio (1973); the only exception being the width, which was taken without cover cement.

The age at death can be determined for these eight finds. Because of the difficulty of attributing age at death to extinct species, African Elephant Years (AEY) are used following Laws (1966) and Craig (in hayneS 1991). Laws’ and Craig’s methods result in slightly different age estimations, and therefore both will be mentioned here. Both methods are based on mandibu-lar teeth. Even though hayneS (1991, 325) argues that upper teeth are slightly less worn than lower ones of the same age and will thus appear somewhat ’younger’, the upper teeth from Krems-Hundssteig are treated here as if they were lower ones. The reasons for this extension of the method are, firstly, the lack of data that could substantiate and quantify the alleged differential wear process. Secondly, there are apparent counter-examples in the fossil taxa, e.g., in a Mammuthus meridionalis skull from “Madonna della Strada”, Scoppito, Italy (maccagno 1962). Laws and Craig refer to m1–m6 instead of the dp2–4 and m1–3 used here. Where necessary, the former indications are also given. The following age estimations are derived from the Krems-Hundssteig molars (Table 1).

Abstract

Molars are useful instruments for reconstructing the age of mammoths at death. By looking at the tooth generations and their wear stages, an age-at-death profile can be derived. This paper reports on the study of mammoth molars from Krems-Hundssteig. The results are compared to those of the bone as-semblage (Fladerer, Salcher 2004). Information regarding age and the minimum number of individuals is also given.

1. IntroductionThe Upper Palaeolithic site Krems-Hundssteig is located

between the Danube and Krems valleys in Lower Austria (neugeBauer-mareSch this volume, einwögerer 2004). Ex-cavations took place there during 2000 and 2002. Many re-mains were found including those of mammoth. This paper reports on the study of the mammoth molars from Krems-Hundssteig.

The majority of the molars were found in Archaeological Horizon 3. They have a greyish, beige colour and are decalci-fied to some extent. Some molars have lateral damage due to the decalcification. Others suffered from severe fragmentation so that only a small part is left. Overall the finds are reasonably well preserved.

Part of the material was examined at the Faculty of Archae-ology, University of Leiden, the Netherlands. The study made use of the university’s reference collection which contains mammoth material from the North Sea and from a sand and gravel pit in Woerden (the Netherlands). The more fragmented pieces were examined at the University of Vienna.

2. Material and methodsFor this study, 35 finds of molars and molar fragments were

analyzed. The number of identified specimens (NISP) is 33. Since many fragments were found close together in the field, some fragments probably belong to the same molar or individ-ual. There are several find clusters in Krems-Hundssteig, and two of these (V84, W85) overlap considerably. On the basis of

mammoth molarS From kremS-hundSSteig 2000–2002

D. M. Bosch, H. van Essen

184 D. M. Bosch, H. van Essen

fnr- find number, in wear – plates in occlusal wear, AEY- African Elephant Years, inf. – inferior, sup. – superior, S – semi lamella, a plate which has the character of a talon(id) on one side of the crown, and that of a full lamella on the other.

Numbers 110/2–4 make up the anterior part of an unworn, presumably lower, dp4 (or m3 in Laws). This corresponds to stage III according to Laws (1966). At this stage dp2 (m1 in Laws) shows heavy wear, dp3 (m2 in Laws) moderate wear and dp4 (m3 in Laws) is above jawbone (Laws 1966, 12). Both Craig and Laws agree to an age of 1 AEY.

Another dp4 (343/9; Fig. 1) is a specimen from a right low-er jaw. All lamellae are in wear. This places the dp4 between the stages VI and VII for which Craig gives an age of 4–5 AEY and Laws an age of 5–6 AEY.

A slightly older individual is represented by a right upper m1 (m4 in Laws), number 269/12. The roots are very strongly developed and a remnant of the first root is present. Unfor-tunately the anterior part is badly damaged, which makes it difficult to reconstruct the exact plate formula. Due to the moderate wear and the presence of the first root, this molar can be attributed to stage IX–X. Craig gives an age of 10 AEY for this stage, but Laws estimates an age of 13 AEY.

Specimen 163/32 is also an upper m1 (m4 in Laws), but from the left side. It is placed in stage XV because most of this molar is gone and therefore the m2 would also have been in use. Craig estimates 18 AEY for this stage, but Laws’ estimate is approximately 24.5 AEY.

Numbers 150/4 and 178/2 are both lower left m2s (m5 in Laws), and both have lost approximately 50 vol % of the crown. This corresponds to stage XXI, which Craig estimates at 35 AEY and Laws at 37 AEY. Since the molars have the same

fnr. element sin./dex.Plate for-

mulain wear

worn (vol.%)

Stages (Laws) AEY

110/2 cf. dp4 inf. ind. --1-- no wear III 1

110/3 cf. dp4 inf. ind. --1-- no wear III 1

110/4 cf. dp4 inf. ind. (x)xx-- no wear III 1

343/9 dp4 inf. dex. x1 10x(x) X110x(x) 50 VI–VII 4–5/5–6

269/12 m1 sup. dex. --x 8 -- --x 8 -- 15 IX–X 10–13

163/32 m1 sup. sin. --6Sx --6Sx 80 XV 18–24.5

150/4 m2 inf. sin. 3/4 12 3/4 8 50 XXI 35–37

178/2 m2 inf. sin. 4/5 11Sx 4/5 11Sx 50 XXI 35–37

146/13 m3 inf. dex. x6-- XX–XXII 32–41

217/21 cf. m3 inf. ind. x3-- 90% lost XXVI–XXVII 50 (+)

Fig. 1: Molar number 343/9. Right lower dp4, lingual and oc-clusal view. I – remnant of the first root. Scale bar is 10 cm.

3. Results

Table 1: Determination and age estimation for mammoth molars from Krems-Hundssteig 2000–2002:

185Mammoth Molars from Krems-Hundssteig 2000–2002

Bibliographyeinwögerer 2004einwögerer T., First raw material analysis at the Upper Paleo-

lithic site Krems/Hundssteig (2000–2002) compared to the material of the excavation of Josef Bayer at Krems/Wacht-berg (1930) In: SvoBoda J. A. and Sedlácková L. (eds.), The Gravettian along the Danube, procedings of the Mikulov Conference, 20.–21. November, 2002. Archeologický ústav AV CR, Brno 2004, 86–99.

eSSen van 1992eSSen H. van, Het gebit van de mammoet. In: mol D. & van

eSSen H., De mammoet, Sporen uit de IJstijd. Bzztôh, ‘s-Gravenhage 1992, 59–76.

Fladerer & Salcher 2004Fladerer F. A., Salcher t., Faunal remains from the Krems-

Hundssteig/Wachtberg Gravettian site complex – A differ-ence in research techniques and/or site function? In: Svo-Boda J. A. and Sedlácková L. (eds.), The Gravettian along the Danube, proceedings of the Mikulov Conference, 20.–21. November, 2002. Archeologický ústav AV CR, Brno 2004, 100–115.

hayneS 1991hayneS G., Mammoths, Mastodonts & Elephants. Biology, Be-

havior, and the fossil record. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge-New York-Melbourne 1991.

lawS 1966lawS R. M., Age Criteria for the African Elephant, Loxodonta

a. africana. East African Wildlife Journal vol. IV, Nairobi 1966, 5–13.

laterality, they belong to two individuals. The seventh molar, number 146/13, is a lower, probably

right m3 (m6 in Laws). The tooth is severely damaged and only a part of the crown base is left. This makes it difficult to assign a stage to this specimen. The best estimate is between stage XX and XXII, which corresponds to an age of 32–37 AEY according to Craig or an age of 34–41 AEY according to Laws. Therefore this specimen could belong to one of the previous individuals (150/4 or 178/2).

The last identifiable molar, 217/21, is an extremely pos-terior fragment of a right m3 (m6 in Laws), probably from a lower jaw. At least half of the molar is worn down. Stage XXVI–XXVII is a minimum estimate. Both Craig and Laws agree to 50 AEY or older.

4. Conclusion & DiscussionIf one divides these molars into groups of 12 years, an age-

at-death profile is derived (Fig. 2). Twelve-year intervals sepa-rate important skeletal maturation phases in elephants, such as sexual maturity, fusing of epiphyses (long bones and vertebrae), and the passing into old age (Haynes 1996, 79). Fladerer, Salcher (2004) examined the bone assemblage from Krems-Hundssteig 2000–2002 determining a minimum number of individuals (MNI) of 8. The age-at-death profile based on the bone assemblage is presented in Fig. 2 (blue) for comparison. The bone and molar data show similar age-at-death profiles. There are two juveniles with dp4s in wear and one slightly older juvenile with the m1 in wear (269/12). One individual that belongs to the age class of 13–24 AEY (Fig. 2) has not been identified in the bone assemblage. It could be an addi-tional individual. Two individuals have an age of 35–37 AEY, but have been assigned to the third age class (25–36 AEY). Another molar (146/13) in this age class probably belongs to one of these individuals. The oldest individual is a very old specimen of at least 50 AEY and belongs in the last age class (>37 AEY). Two juvenile individuals determined in the bone assemblage cannot be identified in the molar record.

The information from the bone and molar assemblages is complementary. While juvenile bones are well-recognizable and the number of juvenile individuals can be determined in-dependently of the adult bone assemblage, the molars help to distinguish age classes in the individuals of the older, adult age group.

Acknowledgements We would like to thank Dr A. Verpoorte, Dr. Chr. Neuge-

bauer-Maresch and Dr. F. A. Fladerer for their support, as well as the Austrian Academy of Science, Prehistoric Commission, FWF (Austrian Science Foundation) P-17258-G02, the De-partment of Palaeontology, University of Vienna and the Fac-ulty of Archaeology, University of Leiden, the Netherlands.

Fig. 2: Age-at-death profile for mammoths from Krems-Hundssteig 2000–2002, Preliminary results concerning the bone assemblage (Fladerer and Salcher, this volume) compared to the molar assemblage (Bosch in prep). Age in African El-ephant Years (AEY).

186

maccagno 1962maccagno A. M., L’Elephas meridionalis Nesti di Contrada

“Madonna della Strada”, Scoppito (l’Aquila). Atti dell’ Ac-cademia delle Scienze fisiche e matematiche di Napoli, Vol. IV, Serie 3a, N. 1, Napoli 1962, 1–132.

maglio 1973maglio V. J., Origin and evolution of the Elephantidae. Trans-

actions of the American Philosophical Society New Series, Vol. 63, Part 3, Philadelphia 1973, 1–149.

Adresses: Marjolein Bosch M.A. Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology Department of Human Evolution Deutscher Platz 6 D-04103 Leipzig Email: Marjolein.Bosch@eva.mpg.de

Hans van Essen Burg. Bloemenstraat 666952 BB Dieren Nederland Email: Hans.van.essen@tele2.nl

D. M. Bosch, H. van Essen