Taphonomic Analysis of the Pleistocene–Holocene Transition Faunal Assemblage from Santa Marta Cave, Chiapas

ABSTRACT The taphonomic analysis of fauna associated with early human occupations of Santa Marta Cave shows a high incidence of anthropogenic activity in the formation of the cave deposits, although other accumulators contributed to the formation processes. Our findings support subsistence strategies consisting of the exploitation of small- and medium-sized mammals, and aquatic species such as freshwater snails (Pachychilus sp.), swamp turtles (Kinosternon sp.), and crabs, indicating humid conditions favorable for the formation of bodies of water close to the rock shelter. The presence of a bone artifact was recorded, pointing to a bone industry supplementing the use of stone tools in the everyday activities of hunter-gatherer groups. As part of the taphonomic analysis, we explored the use of non-invasive hand-held X-ray fluorescence (XRF) on compact bone, including remains of vertebrates recovered from the stratigraphic sequence of the site, as well as of other recent animals and Homo sapiens.