The Middle Pleistocene fluvial channel site of the Upper Fossil-bearing Interval at Mata Menge in the So’a Basin, Flores, Indonesia, has yielded the earliest fossil evidence for Homo floresiensis in association with stone artefacts and fossils of highly endemic insular fauna, including Stegodon, giant rats, crocodiles, Komodo dragons, and various birds. A preliminary taphonomic review of the fossil material here aimed to provide additional context for the hominin remains in this bonebed. Analysis was performed on two subsets of material from the same fluvial sandstone layer. Subset 1 comprised all material from two adjacent one-metre square quadrants (n = 91), and Subset 2 all Stegodon long limb bones excavated from the same layer (n = 17). Key analytical parameters included species and skeletal element identification; fossil size measurements and fragmentation; weathering stages; bone fracture characteristics; and other biological and geological bone surface modifications. Analysis
Abstract
The fossil bone assemblage at Mata Menge in the Soa Basin, Flores (Indonesia) has been the location for excavations for over 65 years. Since 2013, excavations have targeted the fossil bearing Upper Interval, yielding hominin fossils, stone artefacts, and endemic fauna. This freshwater channel site, approximately 700 kyr, provides the earliest fossil evidence for Homo floresiensis.
The aim of this thesis was to undertake taphonomic analysis on Stegodon long limb bones and a representative sample of the fossil material from the assemblage, and compare the findings with both experimental and natural observations from the literature, in order to identify characteristic bone modifications and the likely taphonomic agents.