Title Information

Münchner Geowissenschaftliche Abhandlungen
Reihe A: Geologie und Paläontologie

Volume 11

MÄUSER, Matthias: Geologische und paläontologische Untersuchungen an der altpleistozänen Säugetier-Fundstelle Würzburg-Schalksberg 1987. [in German] – 78 pp., 44 figures, 11 tables. 29.7 x 21.0 cm. Paperback ISBN 978-3-923871-17-9 Euro 30.00 series: MGA, Reihe A: Geologie und Paläontologie order now

Abstract

In the years 1966 and 1976 a rich mammal-fauna was found at two adjoining excavation sites at the locality Würzburg-Schalksberg. The rich layers are part of a sedimentary complex up to 14 meters thick, which consists of talus deposits and fluvial sediments of the river Main in irregular sequence. Fossils were found in several levels and that in concentrations ranging from layers to kinds of accumulations; some of them werde excavated and conservated en bloc; they are described as »Knochenkombinationen« (combinations of bones).

Till now 19 different species are established; they are exclusively large mammals except of the beavers. The fauna prooves middle-pleistocene age (Cromer-Complex).

The remains of the Cervids are dealt with in detail. Among the large deer one species attracts special attention; it is connected with the genus Eucladoceros because of its long and slender metapods. Therefore it is the first indication of this genus in middle-pleistocene sediments of Germany. It is a new species, which, however, could not be defined because there is still too little material and antlers are missing totally.

Furthermore the remains of bisons, rhinoceros, horse and beavers are discussed.

The character of the site is »parautochthonous«, which means, that the place of death and the place of burial are near and reconstructably together. There was no fluvial transport, which can be seen on one hand by the quality of preservation and on the other hand by the numerous parts of skeletons which are still in their natural connection.

The ungulates, which represent 80 % of the fauna, are the rests of prey. This is evident of the high proportion of juvenile animals and because of the unique taphonomic documents: Interpreting the statistical distribution of the different bones, their position to one another, as well as interpreting the examination and definition of their states of fragmentation and the marks on the bones, it becomes evident, that the ungulates were torn and fragmented by hyenas. The early man appears as a further taphonomic parameter: he exploited what predacious animals had left for marrow and maybe used the rests as material for tools. Thus he created certain appearances of fragmentation and left diversified marks on the bones.