Faunal remains from the Pleistocene deposits in the southern chamber of Denisova cave (evidence of 2019)

Over 64,000 specimens of bone remains belonging to at least 38 mammal species were found during the excavations of Pleistocene sediments in the Southern Chamber of Denisova Cave in 2019. The taphocenosis of layers 11-14 in the cave mainly resulted from eating activities of large carnivorous animals. The share of the Carnivora bones in these layers varied from 24 to 41 %. The role of Paleolithic humans became noticeable in taphocenosis of layers 15-17, represented by fragments of burnt bones, bones with incisions from stone tools and marks from splitting, as well as large number of small unidentifiable fragments of bones and teeth without traces of acid impact. The share of megafaunal remains of forest and forest-steppe biotopes increased from top to bottom, reaching its maximum in layer 17 which contained the remains of all main inhabitants of open spaces. Mosaic landscapes existed in the vicinity of the cave during the entire sedimentation period. The most numerous bone remains in the taphocenosis were those of Siberian ibex and argali. Rare species included individual bones of beaver, small cave bear, wolverine, cave lion, snow leopard, giant deer and reindeer, elk, and Baikal yak. A tooth fragment of Merk rhinoceros - a typical inhabitant of interglacial forest faunas - was discovered. The main objects of hunting by the Paleolithic humans were probably the medium-sized ungulates, such as Siberian ibex, argali, roe deer, and gazelle.