L'Uomo e la Iena macchiata. Tafonomia su resti di ungulati del Gravettiano antico di Grotta Paglicci (Rignano Garganico - FG)

This paper presents a taphonomic study on ungulate bones from two Ancient Gravettian levels of Grotta Paglicci (Rignano Garganico – FG). The analysis of the determined remains and of the large amount of undeterminate fragments was obtained through the individuation of the cutmarks made by stone tools, of the tooth marks produced by carnivores and through the estimation of the degree of bone fragmentation. In addition to an abundant material resulting from the human occupation of the cave, level 23c presents several distinctive features attesting to the presence of the spotted hyena: gnawed and regurgitated bones of ungulates, coprolites, skeletal parts of Crocuta. The comparison between the sample contained in this level and another one recovered in level 22f, which displays only traces of anthropic action like hunting and butchering processes, shows the subordinate role of the hyena in the formation of the bone accumulation in the level 23c.