Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 60(2) 2017

Issue:

VOL 60(2) 2017

DOI:

10.3409/azc.60_2.35

Keywords:

Alpine bear cave, Ursus ingressus, Middle Wurmian, morphotypes, locomotion versus dietary habits, extinction pattern, “bone-tools”

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The cave bears (Ursidae, Mammalia) from Steigelfadbalm near Vitznau (Canton of Lucerne, Switzerland)

• FRISCHAUF C.
• NIELSEN E.
• RABEDER G.

Abstract:

The fossil vertebrate remains from the “Steigelfadbalm” cave near Vitznau by Lake Lucerne, which are stored in the Cantonal Archaeological Survey of Lucerne, were subject to a scientific analysis at the Institute for Palaeontology at the University of Vienna. The fossils were recovered during excavations which took place between 1913 and 1937, but had not yet been scientifically analysed. The studies about the morphology and dimensions of the teeth and metapodial bones clarified the systematic position of the cave bears. All other remains originate from wild and domestic animals from the Holocene. The basal fossiliferous layers are mixed with younger sediments by bioturbation. One focus of the investigation was the critical evaluation of the bone fragments, including a human manubrium, interpreted by the excavator as Palaeolithic tools.