Sample name: Qesem Cave LSBS

Sample aka: Large Stones in Brown Sediment

Reference: R. Blasco, J. Rosell, K. T. Smith, L. C. Maul, P. Sanudo, R. Barkai, and A. Gopher. 2016. Tortoises as a dietary supplement: A view from the Middle Pleistocene site of Qesem Cave, Israel. Quaternary Science Reviews 133:165-182 [ER 3888]

Lithology: siliciclastic (mixed)

Taphonomic context: bird accumulation,cave,human accumulation

Archaeology: stone tools

Habitat comments: A mix of large and small stones sit in a "brown sediment rich in the finds of the Amudian industry"

"These sediments are covered by orange-light brown, almost sterile sediments that fill up the remaining space under the shelf up to its ceiling"

"The stratigraphic sequence is divided into two parts: the lower sequence (~6 m thick), consisting of sediments with clastic content gravel and clays; and the upper sequence (~4.5 m thick), consisting of cemented sediment with a large ashy component"

"The AYCC constitutes three major lithic industries, of which two are present at Qesem Cave: the Amudian blade-dominated industry found throughout the entire sequence and the less conspicuous scraper-dominated Yabrudian industry which is found in only three stratigraphically and spatially distinct areas of the cave"

"The low breakage and corrosion frequencies on microfaunal bones, as well other taphonomic attributes, led Smith et al. (2013, in press) to suggest that Barn Owls were probably the responsible agents for the eastern accumulation"

Life forms: ungulates,birds,turtles

Sampling methods: quarry

Sample size: 546 specimens

Years: 2012, 2013

Sampling comments: This sample comprises 6385 specimens, of which 546 were identified at the species level (8.5%)

"Species-level identification is currently under review, and for this reason we here refer the elements to Testudo sp."

Sample number: 4268

Contributor: Jack Nesbitt

Enterer: Jack Nesbitt

Created: 2023-05-16 14:23:14

Modified: 2023-05-16 04:23:14