THE HOLOCENE URSUS ARCTOS FROM "ABISSO ORIANO COLTELLI" CAVE (APUAN ALPS, TUSCANY, CENTRAL ITALY)

Abstract

The study of a prime adult female skeleton of brown bear, Ursus arctos, found in "Abisso Oriano Coltelli" cave is here reported. A new bone formation on the thoracic vertebrae was investigated by x-ray examination suggesting a longitudinal ligament injury caused by a circumscribed trauma, with ossified hematoma. The specimen was dated providing a conventional age of 6480 ± 40 14C ka BP (Holocene). The bear died from non-violent causes, probably during hibernation. The “Abisso Oriano Coltelli” mammal assemblage also includes Capra hircus, Martes foina and indeterminate small mammals. Standard archaeozoological parameters (NISP, MNI) have been used to calculate the relative frequency of each taxon identified in the faunal assemblage.