Folia archeologica 35.

HUNTED MAMMALS IN THE ISTÁLLÓSKC5 CAVE 11 CLASSIFICATION OF THE OS T E О LOGICAL ASSEMBLAGES OF ISTÁLLÓSKŐ CAVE The osteological remain-assemblages of the Istállóskő Cave are complex, being the results of natural and anthropogeneous accumulations: Layer 1 — "LCL" remain assemblage is complex, it consists of the bones of cave bears which could be of both natural and anthropogeneous origin and those of game animals (anthropogeneous accumulation). The subsequent separation of bone remains of two different origins can no longer be made. Supposing, however, a winter-springtime mortality of new-born cave bear cubs, the accumulation refers indirectly to the settlement of this animal in the cave. As compared to the other layers of the cave this layer contains the greatest quantity of young animals (60 %). Observations made during the excavations prove this fact, too.

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5 Besides cave bears the composition of big game remains is the following: blue hare 41 %, Carnivores 32 %, and Herbivores 27 %. The microfauna of Layer 1 "LCL" was not in the sediment of Layer I, but in the dark brown/reddish brown clay stratified over it between Layer I and Layer III which corresponds to the "Lower microfauna stratum" = Layer II!

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6 La у e r I I — "Lower microfauna stratum". Its assemblage is a natural one. Generally steppe (open areas) species dominate in their faunal composition depending on the predator birds.

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7 The bones of micromammals and birds were found below the ceiling of the cave (resting places for birds) and only in the frontal part of the cave till ca 10—15 ms, and in the middle part of it, in a 3—5 ms wide zone.

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8 Layer III — "UCL" remain assemblage. The macro remains corresponding to the sedimentary structure and localization, are meal refuse near the hearth and depot finds of anthropogeneous origin. The natural assemblages are originated from predator birds; they were found in the dark brown — red brown clay layers connected to the hearth-layers. Beside cave bears the game animals are the following: Carnivores 43,58 %, Herbivores 31,36 %, blue hare 24,78 %. Layer IV — Its assemblage is complex; the occurrences of natural micro and of anthropogeneous macro remains are similar to those of Layer III — "UCL" The occurrences of Herbivores, Carnivores and blue hares are balanced. Layer V — Its asseblage consists of mostly game animal bones of anthropogeneous origin. Layer VI — Its assemblage consists of natural "microfauna" originated from the predator birds (dominant) and a few game animal remains of anthropogeneous origin. The cave bear is missing. 1

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/értes, L., op. cit. (1955) 285.; Id., Die Rolle des Höhlenbären im ungarischen Paläolithikum. Quartär 10-11(1958-—59) 151—169., and footnote N" 8. 1

6 Observation of D. Jánossy during the excavation, and Id., op. cit. (1955) 181- -.; Vértés, L., loc. cit. (1951a). 1

7 Kret

Zoi, Al., Földt. Közi. 71(1941) 235—.; Id., op. cit. (1968) 90—91.; [ánossy, D., loc. cit. <1952); Id., op. cit. (1955) 173. 1

8 jánossy, D., op. cit. (1951) 181 .