Rodents and carnivores marks in remains from Tancama, Queretaro, Mexico archaeological site

Abstract

This paper presents the results of analysis of the marks left by rodents and carnivores in a human osteological collection sample from the archaeological site Tancama, Queretaro, Mexico. The sample includes long bones, jaws and skulls of adults of both sexes. It is morphologically described the sites where the bones have marks as well as the type. Three rodent species inhabiting the study area were measured on the width of the incisors and their mark was obtained in clay, to compare them with those present in the sample and try to determine the species that produced them. The carnivore marks were studied based on the existing literature. The study of taphonomic marks in bone is essential to distinguish more clearly if they are product of natural or cultural processes, or pathology.