EXTINCTION AND PALEOECOLOGY OF THE LATE PLEISTOCENE CAVE BEAR FROM NORTHEASTERN ITALY: RADIOCARBON AND STABLE ISOTOPE EVIDENCE

Abstract

We present here the chronometric, isotopic and taphonomic evidence of cave bear from three Palaeolithic sites in northeastern Italy: Paina, Trene and Buso doppio del Broion (Berici Hills - Vicenza). Two direct radiocarbon dates yielded an age around 24 ka BP, which make these remains the latest known representatives of the species in Europe and confirmed that demise of cave bear falls during the LGM. The carbon and nitrogen isotopic values of bone collagen do not show any marked ecological change since 33 ka BP, suggesting an essential vegetarian diet. Several bear bones preserved traces of human modification such as cut marks, which enables a reconstruction of the main steps of butchering process.