Late Palaeolithic exploitation of Horse and Red Deer at Gough's Cave, Cheddar, Somerset (UBSS Proceedings v.17(3))

Abstract: This contribution studies the body part representation of the horse and red deer bones, the season of occupation of the cave as indicated by the bones and the cut marks on the bones. Samples from different areas of the cave show very different body part representation, only some aspects of which can be put down to differential recovery and post-excavation discard. A theory is put forward to explain differences in terms of human and carnivore activity. The red deer jaws suggest the cave was used in winter. The very clear cut marks indicate normal skinning, dismemberment and filleting of the animals and also the removal of tendons and ligaments from the lower limbs, presumably for industrial processes.