Reply to “very human bears” by Rosell et al., 2019 Quaternary International

Abstract

Rosell et al. (2019) warn about potential equifinality problems between human and bear tooth marks in their type, morphology, and measurements. They also note the possibility that both agents generate peeling on some bones, such as ribs and apophyses of vertebrae. However, we think that from an epistemological point of view, the authors fail to turn specific experimental models into general ones. Moreover, from a technical point of view, Rosell and colleagues make mistakes in the measurement of tooth marks and their comparative application. These two issues allow us to argue that their results are not sufficient to invalidate the inferences of human tooth marks in assemblages of anthropogenic origin, such as the TD6.2 level of Gran Dolina (Atapuerca).