| Summary: | in Programme and abstracts, J. Rosell, E. Baquenado, R. Blasco and E. Camaros (Eds), p.42 The study of faunal series resulting from recent excavations in Acheulean layers of two caves from north Atlantic Morocco (Grotte à Hominidés - GH - and Grotte des Rhinocéros - GDR - at Thomas Quarries, Casablanca) yields new evidence concerning the gathering and processing of ungulates carcasses during the Middle Pleistocene in this part of North Africa. Preliminary taphonomic analysis of the megafauna indicates that the carcasses were mainly processed by both carnivores and porcupines. The dimensions and morphologies of tooth-marks and coprolites suggest that carnivores of different sizes (mainly middle-sized canids, hyenids and felids), as well as porcupines, were using the cave. Cut-marks are absent at GH and scarce at GDR, despite the association with lithic artefacts (sparse industry on pebbles and cobbles and rare handaxes at GH and very rich series of handaxes and débitage products at GDR) and with some human remains (GH). This raises the question of the relation between hominins and other faunal competitors in these caves. The recurring question is to determine the modalities of living space sharing by the various predators and/or carrion-eaters as well as the mode of introduction of artefacts and human remains.
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