Appendix. Description of Form and Lithostratigraphy of Feature in
Squares M16 and N16
The pit at present extends back for about 2 m as excavated at the end of the 2008
season. The thickness of the deposit varies within the feature: it is 60-70 cm at the mouth in
M16 and about 60 cm in the far corner (Square N16). Most of this variation in thickness is
due to the variation of the height of the bedrock base, which undulates considerably as also
seen in the central part of the cave (e.g., E, F, G 18)(Figure 6). The top of the pit is truncated
with a sharp contact by Level F-0 and Layer 4 (Table 2) (see Figure 7a), which slopes
downward to the north.
Six stratigraphic units (F-1 through F-6) were recognized within the feature on the
basis of lithology, color, and stratification (Figures 7c, d); Layer F-0 covers the feature but is
described below as well. From bottom to top the units are as follows:
Layer F-6 – Massive and compact, reddish brown poorly sorted silty sand with
calcareous sand produced by decomposition of the limestone walls and pieces of partially
weathered, cm-sized limestone in the deposit. The thickness ranges from 10 to 15 cm but
varies mainly due to the topography of the bedrock; the thickest parts of the unit are in
solution pockets within the bedrock. It appears to pinch out at the N-O boundary, where the
bedrock rises. In general, this layer appears to be produced mostly from the local weathering
of the bedrock, and it may be equivalent to stratigraphic levels 13, 12, 11, and 10 from the
main excavation in the center of the cave.
Layer F-5 – Layer F-5 is a jumbled mixture of fresh, relatively abundant artifacts and
éboulis that vary in size from 1 to 30 cm in diameter. There is very little finer matrix and the
deposit is virtually clast supported; there is a very slight increase in finer matrix towards the
rear of the feature. The matrix, where present, locally exhibits dark organic and
anthropogenic stringers. Layer F-5 is possibly the equivalent of Level 9 of the main site
sequence (cf. Table 1). Orientations of the lithic components are variable. The thickness
varies from 17 to 22 cm.
Layer F-4 – This is a distinctive layer, being weakly bedded, massive brownish red
slightly clayey quartz sand, with only some calcite. It contains abundant microfauna and
coarse charcoal fragments. Some larger bone pieces are present, but overall there is less
cultural material in this layer. It ranges in thickness from 7 cm near the front of the feature in
Square M16 and thins to the back where it may pinch out at the N/O line (Figure 2). The
lower contact with F-5 is irregular. This layer may be reworked sandy karstic fill derived
from the bedrock crevice/channel found to the south in Squares J-K 16-17, which is
approximately 40 cm higher than the height of F-4.
Layer F-3 – This is a massive, lithologically complex silty sand, which varies in
aspect both vertically and laterally. In Square M16 it is predominantly sandy but with
numerous bone fragments that are oriented randomly. It grades from compact dark brown
silty sand at the base to coarser sand near the upper part; the top of the layer in Square M16 is
capped by a somewhat ashy, grey, fine silt band. In Square N16, the lithology of the upper
part is the same as in Square M16 but the lower part exhibits chaotic bedding and consists of
fragments of very weathered bedrock and bone; the limestone blocks vary from cm to dm
size. The northern end of the feature is less stony, more homogenous, and sandier. It is
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uniformly thick, ~18 cm. The lower contact with F-4 is abrupt, where it is not obscured by
large blocks. It is possibly contemporaneous with Level 7 in the main site sequence (Table 1).
Layer F-2 – Layer 2 is a jumbled mixture of altered bones, flints, and limestone
blocks, which range from cm to dm in size; in some places very little matrix material is
present. Where it does occur, it is calcareous silty sand. In Square M16 the matrix not only
contains a greater proportion of finer matrix that is well compacted but displays finer and
darker organic-rich lenses. The lower contact with F-3 is very distinct. The total thickness
ranges from 15-25 cm.
Layer F-1 – This is an irregularly thick, dark brown to black silty sand with cm-sized
bone fragments and some artifacts. It is best exposed in Square M-N16 as a distinct lens that
is 3 to 4 cm thick and 30 cm long. Elsewhere it appears to be mixed with sediment from the
top of Layer F-2 by bioturbation (mainly roots). In the transverse, E-W section in Square
M16, layer F-1 is better exposed, but it is poorly visible in the N16-O16 section. In Square
M-N 15, it is well defined where it rests upon a large block. Its lower contact with F-2 is
undulatory.
Layer F-0 – This layer was originally believed to correlate with at least part of Level
5 and 4 of the main excavation (Table 2). It rests on top of the feature fill – and the limestone
bedrock in which the depression is formed – with a very sharp contact that slopes toward the
back (Figures 7c, d). It is composed of crumbly weathered limestone bedrock, which overlies
a more massive limestone. It appears to be significantly cryoturbated as shown by the
rounded, coated nature of the grains (also verified in thin section); platy limestone pieces are
abundant particularly at the base, as well as well-preserved bones and some lithics. Locally it
exhibits a ~1 cm-thick dark brown zone in Square M16. Toward the back of the feature in
Square N16 to the north (Figure 2), Layer F-0 includes a large block of éboulis, ca. 45 cm
across. At the N-O 16 line, F-0 is not apparent. The overall thickness ranges from 22 to 25
cm.
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Sample RdM-309 is from the upper part of the pit fill in Square M16, Layer F-1. In the field
it was a quite compact, dark brown silty sand with some possible ashes, bones, and charcoal.
Next to the block collected for micromorphology were many fire‐cracked rocks, some
pinkish white in color. A large rock to the left of the sample was clearly thrown in the pit and
not derived from the adjacent bedrock wall.
Thin section scan of sample RdM-309 showing
slight horizontal orientation of the deposits,
particularly the bones. All thin section scans
measure 50x75 mm.
Field view of sample RdM-309 from the top of
the feature in Square M16.
Photomicrograph showing weak ice-lensing.
Since deposits below this level within the pit
do not show such cold climate micro features,
their occurrence here closer to layers 5 and 4 is
significant. A coprolite fragment (C) is in the
center.
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Sample RdM-PG-317, from Level F-2 in Square M16 is a brown silty sand that weathers to a
grey brown color. Two thin sections were studied from this block, -317B, from the lower part
of the block, and -317A from the upper part. Descriptions of these thin sections and their
location in the field are given below.
Close up of sample RdM-PG-317.
Sample RdM-PG-317 in feature from Square
M16.
Macro scan of thin section -317A. Scale is Macro scan of thin section -317B that is
50x75 mm.
from below -317A.
RdM-PG-317B
Micromorphology – this weakly bedded deposit contains bone fragments (both burned and
unburned) and at the very top a calcined bone was observed; a bone fragment in the upper
left-hand side of the slide seems to be ‘dusted’ with micrite, likely coming from ashes.
Limestone fragments are generally fresh but a weathered limestone fragment occurs at the
very base of the slide. Charcoal appears throughout but some of it does not look charred and
is browner and possibly humified. Éboulis sand is abundant and consequently, the matrix is
calcareous and overall there are very patchy sand-sized domains of calcareous ashes in the
thin section. The upper third of the sample is less clayey and seems to be yellow-brown
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whereas it is orange-red in the lower part. In the middle of the slide there is dark brown band
compact organic-rich silty sand matrix that shows weak capping and ice lensing; along right
side of thin section where it appears to be capped by a thin phosphatic crust (guano); this in
turn is overlain by a fragmented piece of coprolite. Bioturbation is visible with a 2 cm burrow
in the upper part of the section. Some post-depositional manganese staining occurs locally.
RdM-PG-317A
Micromorphology - the lower quarter displays bedded burned and unburned bone, with
lithics, and large (mm-sized) piece of charcoal. The matrix is a peculiar mixture of orange red
and dark yellow brown clay. The upper 2/3 is much different, and is composed of interbedded
dark yellow brown clay and charcoal, bright orange sandy clay, and possibly heated
limestone (or chert) at the very top. There is some manganese staining of what appear to be
coprolites at the very top. It seems that the darker yellow brown layers have more charcoal in
them than the orange reddish ones. The alternation of reworked cultural and sterile material
could be an indication of the erosion of Level 5/6 into layer 7).
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Sample RDM-PG-410 is from Square N-16. The bottom part of the sample is in Layer F-0
that corresponds to the last level of filling of the pit, whereas the upper part is in Level 4
(Table 2). The upper part is loose, silty sand, and is more orange than the lower part (F-0),
which is has a darker brown, orange color. The layers dip uniformly towards the North.
Location of sample -410 in yellow gravely silts
and sand that overlie the M16 feature, which is
shown by the darker and looser sediments
underneath it.
Close-up of sample -410.
Micromorphology: Both thin sections show rounded gravely limestone micro-éboulis with
some bone, and notably, silty calcareous cappings. The cappings at the base consist of fine
silt, which grades upward to coarser silt with quartz; locally, the cappings are linked. Sample
-410B contains some bones but they are not abundant. Sample -410A, on the other hand has
fewer bone fragments. Some manganese staining occurs.
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Sample RDM-PG-412 is from the pit-like feature in Square M16 and includes Layers F-2 and
F-3. Layer F-2 occurs in the upper part of the sample and is loose, lighter yellow brown
sandy silt. Layer F-3 is compact and has a darker variable color, which ranges from dark
brown to red.
Macro scan of thin section -412 from
Layers F-2 and F-3.
Sample RdM-PG-412 within the central part of
the feature fill in Square M16.
Micromorphology of -412: Overall the thin section shows a disordered mixture of charcoal
and bone with some patches of secondary carbonate that appears to represent recrystallized
ashes. No bedding is visible in thin section, nor is there any evidence of banded fabric or
other cold climate features. Overall, the sediments are rather loose and exhibit a granular
porosity.
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