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Getting rid of the “Bos/Bison” limitations: A new method using 2D geometric morphometrics
Acte de colloque

Getting rid of the “Bos/Bison” limitations: A new method using 2D geometric morphometrics

Eugénie Capdepon, Sandrine Costamagno, Emmanuel Discamps et Allowen Evin
11th ICAZ AGPM Working Group Meeting (Copenaghen, Denmark, 14/10/2025)

Résumé

In Western Europe, the subsistence of Palaeolithic hunter was mainly based on the hunting of Ungulates.Bovinae, in particular the fossil species Bison priscus (Steppe Bison) and Bos primigeniu (Aurochs), are foundin the vast majority of faunal assemblages since the Middle Pleistocene. However, due to their stronganatomical similarities, the distinction between Bos and Bison is difficult. In faunal determination, the twogenera are commonly grouped under the categories “Bos/Bison” or “Bovinae”, without furtherclarification. Being able to identify the presence of Aurochs and/or Bison have paleoenvironmentalimplications and provide key information for understanding past human-animal interactions, as thebehaviour of these species differs (migratory animals favouring wide-open fields vs. sedentary grazer).While the two species likely represent different preys for humans, their resemblance challenges our abilityto determine the hunting choices of Palaeolithic societies. How can we approach the subsistence strategiesof humans without being able to distinguish between "Bovinae" taxa? Detailed morphometric analysesthrough 2D geometric morphometrics could be the answer to that question. In this communication, wepresent the first results of the morphological shape analysis of lower molars from a solid Bovinaereferential, and henceforth propose a new method to distinguish between bison and aurochs.

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