Biœnik Cave and its biostratigraphical position based on equid remains

Abstract

Excavations in Biœnik Cave have revealed a more or less complete depositional sequence covering the period of MIS 8 to the Holocene. Nearly all layers have produced faunal remains, contributing important information on a fauna of a period which is under- represented in Eastern European Pleistocene collections. Since this region acted as a hinge between the steppe environments of Russia and Central Asia and the oceanic regions of Western Europe, as well as providing refugium areas, research on the site presents an im- portant advance in our knowledge of the late Middle Pleistocene and early Late Pleisto- cene in this area. Caballoid horse remains present an important source of information on the biostratigraphical position of sites dating from this period, as well as furnishing infor- mation on climatic conditions and biogeography based on morphological characteristics. Horse remains from Biœnik Cave are here analysed against a background of other late Middle and Late Pleistocene samples. Remains from all layers in the cave can be attrib- uted to Equus ferus. A gradual morphological change is documented in the sedimentary sequence. Large, robust and somewhat primitive specimens were recovered from the in- terglacial and interstadial lower deposits, indicating a highly productive but relatively open environment. Their morphology could indicate links with Central Asian popula- tions. The upper sedimentary layers witness a size decrease, while the horses remained ro- bust in the glacial and increasingly marginal environments of the Last Glacial.