Hunting strategies and processing animal carcasses during the Sauveterrian occupation of Mondeval de Sora 1, sector I (San Vito di Cadore, Belluno, Italy): an integrated approach.

The purpose of this paper is to afford a definition of settlement strategies at Mondeval de Sora 1, sector I during the Sauveterrian. The archaeological evidence coming from the main stratigraphic unit belonging to this phase (US 8), representing a palimpsest of several occupation phases, has been analysed. US 8 has delivered an abundant lithic industry, along with faunal remains, charcoals and ochre. The taphonomic analysis of faunal macro-remains combined with the techno-typological, spatial and functional study of the lithic industry have demonstrated that although its residential role, which is testified by the presence of dwelling structures and the high density of archaeological materials, this site shows a functional emphasis on activities of provisioning and processing of animal carcasses. The latter belong mainly to red deer and ibex, the hunting of which was favoured by the optimal location of the site. Two different hypotheses are presented for interpreting these results: on one side Mondeval may have been a “residential hunting camp” occupied by entire family groups, on the other it may have been an “hunting camp” of highly specialised groups.