Ursus spelaeus and Late Pleistocene associated faunal remains from Loutraki (Pella, Macedonia, Greece)-Excavations of 1999

Abstract

[Abstract] The large mammal assemblage from the bear-cave A in Loutraki, Pella, Macedonia, Greece, mostly very well preserved, is described and analysed. Among Ursus spelaeus remains, other large mammalian faunal remains, found up to 1999 (the excavation is still in progress) in association with the cave-bears belong to: Crocuta spelaea , Panthera pardus , Vulpes vulpes , Capra ibex , Dama s p . One pyrite artefact, found also in association with the ursid remains, adds great interest to this site. The preliminary study showed the predominant presence of the cave-bear, while only very few specimens represent other animals. The presence of abundant deciduous bear teeth, in spite of their fragility, is remarkable. On some bones there are carnivore trace, either of other ursids or scavengers. The taphonomical approach would show interesting results.