Lagomorphs in the Acheulean menu: taphonomic analysis of rabbit remains from the Valdocarros-II site (Jarama valley, Madrid, Spain)

Although in the Iberian Peninsula the consumption of small mammals by humans, especially in Pleistocene sites, is mainly restricted to lagomorphs, in other areas such as Argentina, the easy capture by humans of fossorial micro- and mesomammals that live in colonies (caviomorphs, rodents and armadillos) is commonly observed in archaeological sites. A review of the palaeoenvironmental evolution of the Pampean region (Argentina) demonstrates that humans are an important taphonomic agent that could cause distortive effects in taphonomic patterns of non-human predators and palaeoecological interpretations [1]. Humans acted as selective predators, and when they are present, an increment in the number of small mammal prey with larger sizes is observed. However, the origin of small mammal remains in fossil sites is a key issue as they are also an important source of food for a large number of non-human predators. In the Iberian Peninsula, rabbits are usually predated by humans but also by other predators such as the European Eagle Owl, the Spanish Imperial Eagle, Fox, Iberian Lynx and Wild Cat. Therefore, the presence of rabbits in archaeological contexts could be the consequence of human and non-human predation. Valdocarros-II is an open-air fossil site located in a fluvial environment associated to an abandoned meander in the Valdocarros unit from the Complex Terrace of Arganda in the Jarama valley (Madrid, central Spain). The site yielded ages of 254 ± 47 ka BP and 262 ± 0.7 ka BP, corresponding to the end of MIS8 and the beginning of MIS7. Several bone remains of large mammals have been recovered from the site and the zooarchaeological analysis suggested that hominids were the main accumulating agent of these bone remains. Apart from large mammal remains, small-vertebrate remains were also found, and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), are dominant in the assemblage.Results obtained from the taphonomic analysis reveal the absence of possible transport events, and a high incidence of root marks, manganese staining and cracking associated to humid conditions. Weathering was not observed, supporting a probable fast burial of the bone remains or, at least, a dense vegetation cover which protected the remains from being weathered. Bone breakage was high (only the 1.39% of the elements were found complete) and most of the specimens analysed correspond to adult individuals. Digestion traces were also found in cranial and post-cranial remains, mainly concentrated in light degrees. Approximately, a 20% of the elements analysed show signs of digestion, which could be linked to the presence of a nocturnal bird of prey. Nonetheless, these percentages are lower than expected even for a European Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo). The presence of human activity in the site has been reported and the possible acquisition and consumption of rabbits by humans is supported by the presence of anthropic traces (e.g., cut marks and burnt bones). Therefore, it could be considered the intervention of different predators in the accumulation of rabbit remains in Valdocarros-II. A possible mixture produced by eagle owls and lagomorph remains discarded by humans seems to be a plausible hypothesis to explain the low digestion percentages observed, which do not fit with any known taphonomic pattern of non-human predators. Anthropic and avian activities observed were probably not simultaneous and most likely humans and raptors alternate in time-periods. Comparisons with the results obtained from lagomorph assemblages from other Middle Pleistocene sites such as PRERESA in Manzanares valley, which is clearly related to the intervention of avian predators [3], support that the exploitation of lagomorphs was probably more intense in Valdocarros-II.This work has been carried out in the framework of Grants PGC2018-093612-B-100, funded by MICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and ERDF; CEN154P20, co-financed by the ERDF 728 (European Regional Development Fund) and the Junta CL