Subsistence behaviours in a Middle Palaeolithic site in Poland: The Raj cave

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of mammal remains from one of the most important Middle Palaeolithic archaeological sites in Poland: Raj cave. This site lies near Kielce. Archaeological materials in cultural layers 4 and 6 are described as belonging to the Charentian culture. The stratigraphic sequence in its entirety may have been deposited during the Wechsel Interpleniglacial, equivalent to isotopic stage 3. Layer 4 would correspond at best to an interstadial phase, and layer 6 to a stadial. The environment of layer 4 was mixed, consisting of prairie and woodland, and the climate was relatively temperate and humid. In layer 6, the forests retreated while the steppe increased, and the climate became cold and relatively dry. In the lower layer (4) cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) dominates carnivore remains. In the upper cultural layer (6), cave bear and cave hyena (Crocuta spelaea) are the best represented carnivore taxa. In layer 4, hunting appears diversified. On the other hand, in layer 6 hunting seems to be oriented towards acquisition of the horse, but reindeer and large bovids are also abundant. A large quantity of reindeer shed antlers were discovered in this layer; the role of humans as collectors has yet to be proven. Clear evidence of human modification of the bone surfaces is very rare; few cut marks are observed. Raj cave can be considered a seasonal camp, occupied from the end of spring to the beginning of autumn in the case of layer 6. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.