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Flûtes paléolithiques présumées, probables ou possibles du "Tableau de comparaison objective". La flûte de la grotte Istállóskő (Hongrie), fémur d'ours des cavernes, Aurignacien II. Longueur 107 mm. (a) Le trou n°1, échelle env. 1,5. Rainures artificielles (traces de rongeurs ??). (b) Faces dorsale et ventrale de l'os, grandeur nat. Document fourni gracieusement par le Musée National Hongrois, Budapest. Presumed, probable or possible palaeolithic flutes or whistles listed in the "Objective comparison Table". The flute of Istállóskő cave (Hungary), cave bear femur, Aurignacian II. Length 107 mm. (a) Hole no. 1, scale ca. 1,5. Artificial grooves (traces of rodent ??). (b) Dorsal and ventral side of the bone, natural size. By courtesy of Hungarian National Museum, Budapest.
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Detailed studies of cave sediments in the Divje babe I cave, in western Slovenia, have revealed both fossil hairs and the imprints of such hairs present within phosphate aggregates in the clastic sediments. These aggregates consist of fine rock and bone fragments, as well as hairs cemented by phosphate precipitated from pore water. The hairs and th...
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... Horwitz and Goldberg 1989;Farlow et al. 2010;Smith and Botha-Brink 2011;Bajdek et al. 2016;Sanz et al. 2016;Tomassini et al. 2019;Jacquet et al. 2023). Fossils preserving parts of the cuticula, cortex, and/or medulla are much rarer (Meng and Wyss 1997;Backwell et al. 2009;Taru and Backwell 2013;Turk et al. 2015;Brachaniec et al. 2022). ...
... Yet, further features like the shape of the cross section, cortical and medullary characters are largely missing. Only one oblique fracture ( Figures 9F-G) and a potential medulla cast (Figures 10I-J; compare Turk et al. 2015) provide some indistinct information of the hair's inner morphology. ...
An association of eighteen coprolites (specimens 01–18) and one isolated coprolite (specimen 209,210) were found in a vertebrate fossil-rich paleosol at the Gratkorn site (south-eastern Austria; late Middle Miocene). The specimens consist mostly of calcium phosphate (apatite) and a matrix formed by microglobules. Coprolites 01–18 show cylindrical and spherical morphologies and are considerably smaller than the tube-shaped specimen 209,210, in which no inclusions were observed. In contrast, coprolites 01–18 contain numerous, highly altered bone fragments (sub-mm-sized long bones and several mm-sized trabecular bone remains) as well as hair imprints, plant detritus and palynomorphs. Based on composition, morphology, size, microstructure, and inclusions, and considering the body fossil record of this site, we assume the hyaenid Protictitherium and the barbourofelid Albanosmilus, as producers of coprolites 01–18 and 209,210, respectively. The preserved bone remains in specimens 01–18 suggest that Protictitherium fed on small vertebrates, but possibly also cracked bones of medium-sized animals. The hair imprints found were either from the hyaenid itself or its prey, while the plant material was probably ingested accidentally. The lack of inclusions in specimen 209,210 is related to the presumably hypercarnivorous diet of Albanosmilus, which was certainly the apex predator in this biome.
... Even thin sectioning only provides a very shallow 3D view of these fossil hair follicles and may preclude unambiguous identification of the elongate molds from other potential explanations (i.e., burrows, desiccation cracks). Hair imprints in phosphate aggregates from a Palaeolithic cave site in Western Slovenia have similarly been revealed by µCT methods (Turk et al., 2015). Though the PSMP hair molds could not be attributed to any specific taxon, their prevalence throughout the coprolite may provide insight into the higher taxonomic affiliation to prey items (i.e., mammalian), or alternatively could allude to the affinity of the consumer (e.g., if they ingested their own hair while grooming). ...
... Though it is difficult to ascertain whether such original features were considered or overlooked in other coprolite studies (Wang et al., 2018;Romaniuk et al., 2020;Abella et al., 2022), this raises concern for a potential reporting bias in the visualization of segmented volume renders in isolation to tomographic slice data. Ideally, pairing crosssectional tomographic data directly with volumetric reconstructions (e.g., Turk et al., 2015;figures 4, 5;Shillito et al., 2020; figure 3) promotes transparency in documenting coprolite internal composition. Moreover, tomographic slices should be made available upon publication (whether via the journal or repository institution) to facilitate reproducibility of the analysis. ...
The Eocene Pipestone Springs Main Pocket (Renova Formation, Jefferson County, Montana, United States of America) is a locality renowned for its diverse Chadronian (late Eocene; ∼38–33.9 million years ago) mammalian fauna and abundant coprolites. Two distinct coprolite size classes were previously identified in the trace fossil assemblage from which we selected representatives to investigate feeding behaviors and dietary selection of the producers. A subset of the selected coprolites was analyzed based on their compositional and taphonomic attributes using non-destructive x-ray tomographic microscopy in combination with more traditional methods including thin-section petrography, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Among the features extracted in the tomographic data were skeletal fragments, including those showing evidence of bone-crushing; delicate hair molds; encrusted lithic fragments; and several irregular pores and cracks throughout the coprolites. Segmentation and volumetric renders permit quantitative assessment of the relative proportions of inclusions, revealing porosity as a primary volumetric element aside from the matrix and bone inclusions. There was no significant difference in the total volume of bone extracted between coprolite size class, though the smaller coprolites preserved a relatively higher volumetric proportion of undigested skeletal material. This multi-visualization approach provides a means to observe and evaluate differences in the coprolite gross morphology and inclusions across the two size classes, thereby offering valuable insights into the broader paleoecology of the Pipestone Springs Main Pocket coprolite producers and holding promise for comparable paleo-dietary studies of other coprolite-rich deposits.
... Moreover, the discovery of European bone flutes thought to date back more than 43,000 years suggests that music could have been an important facet of Neanderthal life, and its impact may therefore pre-date modern homo sapiens entirely (J. Turk, Čretnik, Turk, & Mladenovič, 2015;M. Turk et al., 2018). ...
Music plays an important role in our daily lives, although opinions remain divided about the factors that predict preferences for it. This thesis examined the utility of two types of variables associated with music preference: collative and ecological variables. Independent literature reviews were performed on each variable type. The first review evaluated collative variables such as familiarity/exposure and complexity, and concluded that an inverted-U function of any collative variable-or at times a segment of the inverted-U-explained almost 90% of related results. The second review examined the ecologically-driven psycho-historical framework for the science of art appreciation, which hypothesizes that historical understanding of a work will substantially impact preference. Only 26% of related studies affirmed this prediction. Thus, this thesis offers a new perspective based on the available data proposing that Berlyne's inverted-U model remains a robust explanation of music preference, and has been unjustly neglected in recent decades.
Based on this support for the inverted-U model, two studies were conducted to further investigate its utility. We identified a potential limitation regarding exposure to "extreme" music. While only a handful of studies contain such stimuli, the reported results suggest that the inverted-U no longer retains its high explanatory power in these cases. Rather, a floor-effect of preference over subsequent exposures is produced instead. Both of the conducted studies (N = 71; N = 94) investigated preference ratings for extreme and non-extreme music, with extreme stimuli producing substantially higher counts of floor-effect trajectories. In addition, a novel variable (unusualness) was examined. Unusualness ratings were used to help identify cases of extreme music, and were related to preference as an inverted-U function.
Following this we proposed an "inverted-U informed" function for automated music recommendation systems, based on a well-established theory of memory retention. The function was tested with three simulation studies. All simulations produced inverted-U recommendation trajectories, thus supporting the function as a viable candidate for integration with existing systems. Overall, we conclude that collative variables provide an important groundwork for music preference, and recommend their inclusion in future research with a greater reliance than has typically been seen in recent decades.
... Another example of fossilized hair structures is the numerous inclusions from phosphate aggregates of possible coprolitic origin, in the Pleistocene clastic sediments of the Divje babe I cave, in western Slovenia (Turk et al., 2015). These aggregates consist of fine rock and bone fragments, as well as of numerous well-preserved hairs or casts after hairs, and both types of fossils are cemented by phosphate. ...
... These aggregates consist of fine rock and bone fragments, as well as of numerous well-preserved hairs or casts after hairs, and both types of fossils are cemented by phosphate. The first remains of hairs in the sediment of the Divje babe I cave were found using SEM (scanning electron microscopy), and X-ray micro-computed tomography has shown the spatial distribution of the hair imprints within the phosphatized aggregates (Turk et al., 2015). ...
Fossilized soft tissues of animals (e.g. muscles, hair and feathers) are valuable sources of palaeobiological information, but a poor preservation potential makes them undesirably scarce in the fossil record. The aim of this review is to summarize main findings, current progress and the analytical constraints of detecting fossilized soft tissues in coprolites from, mainly, freshwater and terrestrial carnivorous vertebrates. We conclude that soft-tissue inclusions in coprolites are sources of two important lines of information: the fossils can be put in a direct palaeoecological context, and; characters of extinct taxa are more likely preserved in the phosphate-rich taphonomic microenvironment of coprolites than elsewhere. As a result, it is possible to unravel the deep-time origins of host-parasite relations, to understand ancient trophic food webs and detect new soft-tissue characters of different animal groups. Examples of the latter include muscle tissues from a tyrannosaurid prey, tapeworm eggs (including a developing embryo) in a Permian shark coprolite, as well as hair from multituberculates and, probably, from stem-mammals (Therapsids). Additionally, the use of coprolites in an archaeological context is briefly reviewed with focus on key aspects that may become implemented in studies of pre-Quaternary specimens as well. In sum, there is a wide range of information that can be extracted from coprolites, which has not yet been fully explored in palaeontological studies.
The Bàsura Cave (Toirano, Savona, NW Italy) hosts important cave bear bone assemblages and a numerous and varied, tracks and traces record left by humans and other producers. An outstanding element of the analysed material is represented by fossil bear fur fragments, which were found in the inner deposits of the cave, and that, to date, are virtually unknown in the cave global record. After analysing and discussing micromorphological features of the inedited material, we integrate and interpret new radiocarbon data, along with taphonomic, sedimentological, geochemical and mineralogical evidences, with the aim of improving our understanding about the nature and chronology of the bear fur-bearing deposit. The bear fur fragments are included in a stratigraphic succession corresponding to a secondary deposit, formed after the dismantling, reworking and redeposition of a former bear-bearing deposit, as a result of short but intensive flooding events that most probably took place at the end of the Last Glacial Maximum. After sediments redeposition, important diagenetic changes have occurred and probably driven by guano deposits, whose pre-existence, in absence of record, is inferred from corrosion features, nutrient concentrations, mineral species identified (REE bearing hydroxyapatite), and claw traces left by bats on the cave ceiling and walls. Diagenetic imprint derived by guano deposits caused mineralization of bear fur fragments by replacement with apatite, which faithfully copied the form and structure of hairs but also of vegetal tissues, phytoliths and pollen found within them. Our study demonstrates for the first time that the bear fur is one of the main vectors in introducing botanical microremains into the interior of the “Old World” caves.
In 1995, an unusually perforated femur of a juvenile cave bear was found in the Divje babe I Palaeolithic cave site in Slovenia. The supposition that it could be a flute led to heated debates. According to its archaeological context and chronostratigraphic position, if made by humans, it could only be attributed to Neanderthals. The crucial question was related to the origin of the holes. These could only have been made either by a carnivore or by human intervention. Results of experimental testing of both hypotheses do not support a carnivore origin of the holes. Furthermore, the method of artificial creation of the holes, which left no conventional traces of manufacture, was defined. Computed tomography revealed traces, which could be the result of human agency and called into serious question the origin of some features previously declared to be solely of carnivore origin. Recent musical experiments performed on a replica of the reconstructed musical instrument revealed its great musical capability. Together with some other findings from Divje babe I, the Mousterian musical instrument offers a unique insight into the Neanderthals’ symbolic behaviour and their cognitive abilities. The multidisciplinary results of comprehensive analyses of this exceptional find are first presented here together with its chronostratigraphic, palaeo-environmental, and archaeological contexts.
The clastic sediments in the Divje babe I cave consist mainly of autochthonous terrigenous dolomite clasts, allochthonous terrigenous non-carbonate grains, and biogenic fragments, especially remains of the cave bear. These components are frequently cemented by apatite and subordinate calcite cement into aggregates (concretions) and into breccia. The formation and transformation of cave sediments were affected by climate and to some extent by the duration of sediment exposure to surface conditions on the cave floor. Congelifracts, a product of frost action, and cavernously corroded clasts, a result of corrosion by condensation and percolating water, were formed before being covered by younger sediments. Thus, the distributions of congelifracts and cavernously corroded clasts can be used to interpret climate changes in the period of 39.7 to 116.1 ka, with at least four hiatuses lasting from 9.0 to 39.7 ky. Based on the relative abundance of congelifracts, the palaeoclimate record can be correlated with global temperature changes established by oxygen isotopes δ18O from the Greenland ice. The succession C (cold)–H (humid), layers 2 to 11–12, is correlated with the lower part of OIS 3 and OIS 4, while the succession T (temperate)–D (dry), layers 12–13 to 23, is correlated with OIS 5.
Different grain size fractions of clastic sediments (40–65, 0.5–3, and < 0.5 mm) from the Divje babe I cave were chemically analysed. In the chemical composition of the medium and fine fractions, four groups of variables were revealed: 1) MgO, LOI, TOT/C — dolomite, autochthonous terrigenous component; 2) P2O5, TOT/S, Mo, Sr, Cu, CaO, and so on — bones/apatite cement, biochemical chemical components; 3) SiO2, Al2O3, REE, Rb, Zr, K2O, Th, TiO2, Fe2O3, and so on — non-carbonate, allochthonous terrigenous components; and 4) U (Cd, MnO) — more mobile chemical components. Vertical distributions of P2O5, SiO2, and U in the fine fraction suggest five geochemical boundaries. The origin of P2O5 is attributed mainly to the cave bear. A negative correlation between the content of SiO2 and cavernously corroded clasts (indicating a humidity), indicates a dominant aeolian transport of non-carbonate material into the cave. Vertical distribution of U indicates the migration of U and its enrichment in the deeper parts of the sedimentary sequence. The mobilization of U was influenced by the duration of exposure of the sediments on the cave floor. The chemical characteristics of non-carbonate material indicate that source rocks probably belong to the Triassic volcanic, volcanogenic and terrigenous sedimentary rocks.
