Multi-isotope zooarchaeological investigations at Abri du Maras:
the paleoecological and paleoenvironmental context of Neanderthal subsistence strategies in the Rhône Valley during MIS 3
Kate Britton cs 2023 J.hum.Evol.174, 103292

The exploitation of mid- and large-sized herbivores (ungulates) was central to hominin subsistence across Late Pleistocene Europe. Reconstructing the paleoecology of prey-taxa is key to better understanding procurement strategies, decisions and behaviors, and the isotope analysis of faunal bones and teeth found at archaeological sites represent a powerful means of accessing information about past faunal behaviors. These isotope zooarchaeological approaches also have a near-unique ability to reveal environmental conditions contemporary to the human activities that produced these remains. Here, we present the results of a multi-isotope, multitissue study of ungulate remains from the Middle Paleolithic site of Abri du Maras, southern France, providing new insights into the living landscapes of the Rhône Valley during MIS 3 (level 4.2=55±2 to 42±3ka; level 4.1=46±3 to 40±3ka). Isotope data (carbon, nitrogen) reveal the dietary niches of different ungulate taxa, including the now-extinct giant deer (Megaloceros). Oxygen isotope data are consistent with a mild seasonal climate during level 4.2, where horse (Equus), bison (Bison), and red deer (Cervus elaphus) were exploited year-round. Strontium and sulfur isotope analyses provide new evidence for behavioral plasticity in Late Pleistocene European reindeer (Rangifer) between level 4.2 and level 4.1, indicating a change from the migratory to the sedentary ecotype. In level 4.1, the strong seasonal nature of reindeer exploitation, combined with their nonmigratory behavior, is consistent with a seasonally restricted use of the site by Neanderthals at that time or the preferential hunting of reindeer when in peak physical condition during the autumn.

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Neandertals were no systematic hunters of terrestrial herbivores, of course: isotope analyses are not only super-carnivorous (impossible: you can't be more carnivorous than e.g. felids), but were perfectly between marine & freshwater foods: most likely (e.g. see my book), neandertals seasonally followed the rivers (+ salmon?) inland. This also best explains neandertal pachyosteosclerosis (shallow-diving), huge brain (DHA), large lungs, external nose + large paranasal air sinuses, more horizontal femoral necks (lateral leg movements), shorter tibias than H.sapiens, rel.long first & 5th digital rays of hands and feet, etc. IOW, this paper beautifully confirms our view of coastal neandertals seasonally following the rivers inland, google e.g. "gondwanatalks bonne verhaegen".