Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 45(special issue) 2002

Issue:

VOL 45(special issue) 2002

Keywords:

Sea birds, archaeological deposits, human agency, Pleistocene

Download PDF

Share this article:

Sea-birds from coastal and non-coastal, archaeological and “natural” Pleistocene deposits or not all unexpected deposition is of human origin

• John R. STEWART

Abstract:

This paper explores the reasons behind some unexpected occurrences of seabirds on Palaeolithic and non-archaeological Pleistocene coastal and inland sites in Europe. Such unexpected occurrences are of the kind often interpreted by archaeologists as being of human origin. No universal explanation is offered, as each case should be considered separately. Some, such as the finds of Little Auk Alle alle, are probably present due to inland “wrecking” while others may represent scavenged or predated birds moped inland, and due to the distances involved, the predators or scavengers were probably mostly birds. However, modern records show that obligate marine birds are regularly found as inland vagrants and are therefore perhaps not such unusual finds. This paper, therefore, illustrates that unexpected finds are not solely due to anthropogenic processes and that a sound knowledge of natural history is required before special interpretations of animal remains are made.