Megafaunal remains from the upper portion of Pleistocene deposits in south chamber of Denisova cave

The 2017-2018 excavations of the upper portion of the Pleistocene deposits in South Chamber of Denisova Cave have yielded over 23,000 bone remains attributed to 34 mammal species. The faunal record indicates that the cave taphoceonosis appears to have been predominantly formed due to the feeding activity of predators, with a key role of cave hyena. The contribution of humans at this stage of sedimentation was insignificant. Analysis shows that bones from Siberian ibex and argali, cave hyena and two horse species dominate the megafaunal remains. Isolated bone fragments were identified as belonging to large felines such as cave lion, snow leopard and lynx. The remains of gray wolf, red dog and fox were found in great numbers. Ungulates are represented by wooly rhinoceros, giant and red deer, roe deer, bison, Baikal yak, saiga and Mongolian gazelle. Bones from mammoth and reindeer are not numerous.