RODENTS FROM THE SOLUTREAN LEVELS OF ROCHEFORT CAVE: AN ORIGINAL REFERENCE FOR THE LAST GLACIAL MAXIMUM IN NORTHWEST FRANCE

摘要

Systematic sieving of sediments from the Solutrean levels of Rochefort cave provided many rodent remains referred to seven species. The taphonomic study suggests an accumulation of the remains by medium sized and little destructive nocturnal raptors (Bubo scandiacus, Strix nebulosa or Asio otus). Because of their particular prey preferences, these predators are not likely to have induced an important bias on the representation of species. The high proportions of Microtus gregalis and Dicrostonyx torquatus, in association with the occurrence of Spermophilus sp. to a lesser extent, clearly confirm the existence of very severe weather conditions and indicate the presence of a steppe biotope. The associations of rodents therefore support the assignment of the studied levels to MIS 2, especially at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), which is consistent with radiometric dating. Furthermore, the presence of rodent species closely related to moist habitats (Microtus agrestis, Arvicola sapidus and Arvicola amphibius) suggests that wet and wooded environments persisted next to the cavity and that the Erve Valley presumably was a micro-cryptic refugia during the Last Glacial Maximum.