Who brought the bird remains to the Middle Palaeolithic site of Les Fieux (Southwestern, France)? Direct evidence of a complex taphonomic story

Abstract Only a few years ago, Neanderthals were considered as unable to exploit fast-moving small prey. Several recent studies have reconsidered this matter and shown that in some setting Neanderthals exploited leporids and birds, as did anatomically modern human. However, detailed taphonomic and zooarchaeological analyses are still scarce, and this prevents us from estimating the diversity, the chronological and geographical framework of this behavior. In order to contribute to this debate, we analyzed more than three hundred bird remains from several levels of Les Fieux (Locus 1, Central area) dating to MIS 3. Direct evidence (digestion, gnawing, cut-marks) indicates that large nocturnal raptors, carnivores and Neanderthals were involved in the accumulation and modification of the bird remains. This result shows the importance of such analytical approaches. All the birds used by Neanderthal occupants of Les Fieux are regular or occasional scavengers. It is suggested that Neanderthals took advantage of this feeding habits and of the local setting for the procurement of edible and non-edible bird resources. In one of the levels, Neanderthals exploited a Common Raven, probably as food item. In 4 levels, Neanderthal looked for large diurnal raptor talons. This interest appears to be a persistent element throughout the Mousterian analyzed levels from Les Fieux, recalling similar findings from other European sites.