Sample name: Wezmeh Cave

Reference: M. Mashkour, H. Monchot, E. Trinkaus, J.-L. Reyss, F. Biglari, S. Bailon, S. Heydari, and K. Abdi. 2009. Carnivores and their prey in the Wezmeh Cave (Kermanshah, Iran): a Late Pleistocene refuge in the Zagros. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology 19:678-694 [ER 3082]

Lithology: siltstone

Taphonomic context: carnivore accumulation,cave

Habitat comments: "formed between geological layers of karstic limestone" with fossiliferous sediments derived from "sediments carried by water through cracks and cavities", organics, and "wind-blown silt and sand"
"The cave was most probably used more as a shelter for several carnivore species at different times, rather than as a long-term den" and there is an "absence of anthropic activity"

Life forms: carnivores,primates,rodents,ungulates,other small mammals,lizards,snakes,turtles

Sampling methods: quarry,screenwash,surface

Sample size: 1950 specimens

Years: 1999, 2001

Sampling comments: "the deposits had been partially emptied and scattered on the talus slope by looters, leaving a mix of Chalcolithic archaeological remains and Pleistocene fauna on the surface... The bones were therefore sorted on the basis of these preservational characteristics into Pleistocene and Holocene samples" and only the Pleistocene remains are described
"We also screened areas on the slope" and dug "an exploratory 3 x 3 m trench" and "six test pits... These excavations produced more bones and a handful of archaeological finds, mostly ceramics"

Sample number: 3356

Contributor: John Alroy

Enterer: John Alroy

Created: 2019-08-26 16:07:10

Modified: 2019-08-26 06:07:10