The functioning of a natural faunal trap in a semi-arid environment: preliminary investigations of WZM-1, a limestone sinkhole site near Wadi Zarqa Ma' in, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

• Autores: James T. Pokines, April Nowell, Michael Bisson, Carlos Córdova
• Localización: Journal of taphonomy, ISSN 1696-0815, Vol. 9, Nº. 2, 2011, págs. 89-115
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Preliminary taphonomic investigations were carried out at the site of Wadi Zarqa Ma'in 1 (WZM-1), at 31o37'N, 35o43'E, approximately 730 m above mean sea level and 10 km south-southwest of Madaba, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. This large, open sinkhole is a natural faunal trap and raptor roosting site, accumulating significant faunal remains within deposits likely reaching well into the Pleistocene. The Minimum Number of Individuals (MNI) of identified megafauna and microfauna totals 629, with a minimum of 30 taxa represented. Nine actual or potential vectors of faunal introduction were identified, including prey of roosting raptors, natural mortality of sinkhole inhabitants, accidental falling, and deliberate introduction of dead animals by humans. Roosting raptors include barn owl (Tyto alba), the prey remains of which yielded the majority of the species diversity and total MNI. This site offers a unique opportunity to collect data on the on-going function of a prolific faunal trap in a semi-arid Near East environment, and multiple significant taphonomic considerations can be drawn from it for the analysis of both its own deposits and those of similar karst features.