Taphonomic signatures for fish bones deposited by bears (Ursus spp.) and the Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo); interpreting fish bone assemblages from Late Pleistocene cave sites

Fish bones are recovered from the Late Pleistocene deposits of many cave sites across Europe, these remains are frequently attributed to human activity and used to imply fishing methods and strategies, seasonal activity and to integrate fishing into human subsistence strategies during the Middle and Late Palaeolithic periods. However, these interpretations are often made without consideration of alternate accumulation agents. Many non-human faunal species consume fish and use cave environments, and therefore may have potentially deposited remains within caves that have then been incorrectly attributed to human deposition after excavation. Results of published ecological studies and experimental feeding programs with both species are discussed and are used to establish expected assemblage characteristics for material deposited. These will include, expected species, size of fish, seasonal indicators, spatial distribution and element representation patterns. The taphonomic signatures for fish remains deposited by bears and the eagle owl are applied to fish bone assemblages from several Late Pleistocene cave sites to identify accumulation agent(s).