While digging and burrowing activity are well-documented behavior for modern African and Israeli hyenas, we know of no references to their digging behavior in Siberian late Pleistocene archaeological sites. However, judging fTom the heterogeneous mixed condition of the Razboinich’ya hyena cave deposits (Ovodov, personal observations), it would appear that these ancient bone-crushing scavengers and predators were as much inclined to dig, scratch, burrow, disturb, and generally mix up their denning areas and scavenging localities as their modern relatives. Pristine stratigraphy should not be expected where hyena presence can be demonstrated. It is especially important to take into account bioturbation when making inferences about cultural continuity or discontinuity when hyena presence can be recognized. Inasmuch as it is generally considered that Siberian cave hyenas went extinct about 13 000 to 14 000 years ago, stratigraphic conditions should differ in pre - and post-extinction levels. Ovodov and Martynovich (2005) suggest some indirect evidence for Siberian hyena burrowing, namely that during reproductive periods of the year, female hyenas burrowed as well as sought out caves, because there are caves that were quite suitable for occupation, but lack all signs of hyena or human use. Two such empty horizontal caves with much Pleistocene soil, named Erkina and Bezymyannaya, are located near the Razboinich’ya hyena cave.
World History
