EXPERIMENTAL DETERMINATIONS OF CARCASS PROCESSING BY PLIOPLEISTOCENE HOMINIDS AND CARNIVORES AT FLK 22 (ZINJANTHROPUS), OLDUVAI GORGE, TANZANIA

Published and unpublished skeletal and surface mark data from the larg e, well-preserved, bovid dominated FLK 22 (Zinjanthropus) archaeofauna are analyzed using data derived from four different experimental cont rol samples. The control samples are realistic because they are based on natural history and paleoecological data collected from FLK 22; and other Olduvai Gorge assemblages; they are precise because independent experimental studies following the same methods have generated the sa me results; and they restore generality to the study of site formation because each one models a different hominid and/or carnivore scenario of site formation. Comparability between FLK 22 and the control sampl es is established by excluding specimens from the former which do not meet identification and reporting standards derived from the latter. A s in two previous studies, a comprehensive analysis of tooth marks and tool marks on long bone specimens from FLK 22 indicates that they wer e processed in three stages. In stage one, carnivores defleshed long b ones, as inferred from the high percentage of tooth marks on midshaft fragments. In stage two, hominids processed intact long bones for marr ow, as inferred from percussion mark percentages. Cut marks suggest th at long bones retained flesh, but the amount, as yet, cannot be determ ined using cut mark percentages. In stage three, carnivores processed long bone epiphyses for grease, as inferred from the under-representat ion of long bone epiphyses and the high percentage of tooth marks on n ear-epiphyses and surviving epiphyses. The lack of comprehensive skele tal and surface mark data on cranial, axial, compact, and other specim ens currently limits the application of experimental results. However, the available data suggest that the condition and representation of t hese items in the FLK 22 assemblage are also consistent with a carnivo re to hominid to carnivore sequence of site formation. The variety of elements present, and their extensive processing by hominids, indicate s that FLK 22 functioned as a central place/refuge where hominids coul d transport a variety of carcass parts and process them in an unhurrie d fashion. The presence of numerous small and medium sized individuals also indicates that hominids could have passively scavenged carcasses from a number of different sources including lions, leopards, saberto oth cats; and mass drownings. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.