The collection behaviour and taphonomic signatures of hyaenids

Abstract

The collecting behaviour of specific animals is increasingly becoming of interest to a variety of scientific disciplines. Collectors can be found in the rodent and carnivore mammal populations, as well as certain avian species. Of the carnivores it is hyaenids and leopards (Panthera pardus) that appear to be the most prolific collectors of faunal remains. Of the four species in the hyaena family, three are known to collect various quantities of faunal material in their prospective dens; they are spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta), brown hyaenas (Parahyaena brunnea) and striped hyaenas (Hyaena hyaena). The question surrounding the collector of faunal remains in the archaeological record is as important as it is old. This is an in depth examination of the bone collections of all three extant hyaenids and the related taphonomy corresponding to each species. New collections were made from various dens and locations in southern Africa for both Parahyaena and Crocuta. Additionally previous collections of Parahyaena were reanalysed and data from Hyaena collections in Jordan reviewed. In all a total of 23,324 bones and bone fragments were examined during this study, specifically looking at species collected, skeletal elements, minimum number of individuals (MNI), number of identified specimens (NISP), fusion data, fragmentation, weathering and an assortment of taphonomic characteristics. Specific taphonomic characteristics recorded were crenulated edges, striations, punctate depressions and punctures, scouring, acid etching and all combinations thereof. The main thrust of this research is to determine if hyaenids in general can be positively identified from other collectors as the collector of a specific assemblage of faunal remains and to determine if the three species of hyaena can be distinguished from one another by studying the faunal collections alone.