Rodents and Lagomorphs remains from late Pleistocene and early Holocene Caves and Rochshelter sites in the Zagros region, Iran

Abstract

In this research the glir,s tooth remains from four caves and rockshelter sites in west and north west of Iran have been reported. Recent archaeological surveys and excavations by Center for Paleolithic Research of National Museum of Iran and two other institutions, along other remains, have yielded rich assemblages of microvertebrate remains. The cave sites are Yafteh, Gar Arjeneh and Qalaloun (Lorestan), and Kani Mikaeil (Kordestan) that have been surveyed or excavated during 2001 to 2005. Except assemblages from Yafteh and Kani Mikaeil which are excavated and collected through systematic dry sieving, two other assemblages are collected from back dirt of looters pits in those sites. The tooth remains were belong to five families including; 1) Muridae: Meriones sp. Tatera indica, Chionomys cf. nivalis, Microtus socialis, Arvicola terresteris. , Ellobius cf. lutescens, Nesokia indica, Cricetulus migratorius, Mesocricetus auratus, Rattus rattus, Mus musculus 2) Calomysidae: Calomyscus bailwardi 3) Dipodidae: Allactaga williamsi, Jaculus sp. 4) Ochotonidae: Ochotona rufescens 5) Leporidae: Lepus sp. This research in based on morphologic and morphometric methods using modern comparative neontological specimens of the osteological collection. Also taphonomic and paleoenviromental aspects in the Zagros are discussed.

Keywords

• zagros
• five families
• morphologic and morphometric methods
• taphonomic
• paleoenviroment