How many elephant are there - comparative taphonomy of the straight-tusk elephant

Fragments of elephant teeth and bones are an integral part of Lower Paleolithic sites. But poor bone conservation, limited size of excavation areas and post depositional effects resulted in small sample per site, commonly dominated by teeth.

In the Lower Paleolithic open-air site of Revadim (southern coastal plain, Israel) surface finds of lithics and faunal remains were found scattered over an area of ca. 3,500 m2. The excavation of 250 m2 is among the largest conducted in sites of this period. The site has the largest elephant assemblage known in the southern Levant of the straight tusk elephant (Palaeloxodon antiquus). This species is represented by numerous elements (teeth, tusks, scapulae, pelvises, vertebrae, ribs and long bone shafts). The presence of young, old and prime adults is inferred from dental data. Some of the elephant remains occur in clusters in connection with numerous flint artifacts.

Thus, we have the opportunity to study in detail the elephant remains and their connection to the archaeological setting by studying the spatial distribution, surface modifications, and relation to the other sites aspects.