Schöningen is one of the most important Pleistocene archaeological sites. There are many interesting finds which are of great importance for analyzing this period. One of the most interesting finds...Show moreSchöningen is one of the most important Pleistocene archaeological sites. There are many interesting finds which are of great importance for analyzing this period. One of the most interesting finds was the discovery of wooden spears in layer 13 II-4 which were very well preserved. Schöningen is located in the German federal state Lower Saxony and is part of the district of Helmstedt. The research described in this thesis will focus on a herd of horses, Equus mosbachensis, which was found on this site. This thesis will attempt to answer the following research question: what is the age composition of this herd and what was the cause of their deaths? The purpose of this study is to gain insight in the circumstances of their deaths. This will be carried out by measuring the heights of the premolars and molars. These heights will be linked to certain ages using Levine's ageing method. The mortality profile derived from these ages will be compared with mortality profiles from which the cause of death is known. Results show that de age-profile of the assemblage is most comparable to a catastrophic mortality profile. The conclusion is therefore that the horses died from a catastrophe. The remains were probably modified after death by hominids for meat and marrow extraction, which is visible from cut-marks and other signs of hominid modification.Show less
