Tentative typology and biostratigraphy of some middle and late Pleistocene western european horses

Abstract

Caballine horses from Middle and Late Pleistocene of France, Germany, Spain, and Italy, can conveniently be compared if several MClli and upper cheek tooth characters are used. They fall well into seven main morphological types. The large Mosbach type is known from about 700,000 to about 450,000 years (l’Arago). During "Mindel-Riss", a smaller and more evolved form is present at Lunel-Viei. Later on, during "Riss", two types can be distinguished: one at La Fage I and Paglicci-Riparo, the other at La Fage II, Torralba, and possibly La Chaise. Three other successive types may be recognized during Würm: the oldest one (present at Combe Grenal 22-25) is replaced around 45,000 years ago by a smaller form (Combe Grenal 14, Camiac, Jaurens. lower Solutré), which is replaced by a still smaller one (Magdalenian of Solutré and Chasse sur Rhone).