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Zala Cave, mentioned by Josip Poljak in 1935 by the name Mikašinovića Cave, and also known as Savića Cave, is a speleological object situated northeastward from Ogulin, on the northern slope of the Krpelj hill, on the left side of the Bistrac brook canyon 1.5 km downstream from the spring. Previous archaeological investigations were performed from 2000 to 2011. Faunal remains of medium and large mammals (total taxa number = 18) show slightly bigger number of taxa determined in the Late Pleistocene deposits (n = 13) compared to those found in the Holocene deposits (n = 11). The following taxa were determined: Leporidae, Marmota marmota, Canis lupus, Vulpes vulpes, Ursus sp., Martes sp., Meles meles, Felis silvestris, Sus scrofa, Capreolus capreolus, Cervus elaphus, Alces alces, Rupicapra rupicapra, Bos primigenius, and Ovis/Capra. Besides large mammals, small mammal remains have been also found in different layers, which we present here for the first time. These finds were discovered during excavations in 2005, and 2008 till 2011. From a total number of selected remains (NISP = 559) 78 osteo-dental remains were suitable for taxonomic determinations. For arvicolids (subfamily Arvicolinae Gray, 1821) the most characteristic and useful for the specific determinations are the first lower (m1 ; NISP = 46) and third upper (M3 ; NISP = 1) molars, while other taxa were determined on the basis of teeth, but also on other anatomical elements. Representatives of the following orders/families were found in the fossil material: Chiroptera, Eulipotyphla, Cricetidae, Arvicolidae, Muridae, and Gliridae. While they originate from the 11 layers, only for two layers absolute dating is available. The layer 100 is of 14.1±60 ka uncal BP (Beta-334806) age, while the layer 102 has an age of 13.34±60 ka uncal BP (Beta-334805). On the basis of selected osteo-dental finds it is possible to conclude that the remains of bat (Chiroptera) and mole (Talpa sp.) were found only in the Late Pleistocene layers 100 and 101, while the remains of Neomys sp., Cricetus sp., Chionomys nivalis, Arvicolidae indet., Gliridae indet., and Apodemus sp. only in the Holocene layers: 71, 77 and 85. All other taxa have been found in both Late Pleistocene (layers: 13, 97, 100, 101 and 102), and Holocene deposits (layers: 71, 71/89, 77, 82/89, 85, 97/89 and 105), and they are: Erinaceus roumanicus, Arvicola amphibius, Myodes glareolus, Microtus ex gr. arvalis/agrestis, M. ex gr. subterraneus/multiplex, Microtus sp. and Muridae indet. Typical forest dwellers (Myodes glareolus, Erinaceus roumanicus, glirids, murids) are present in the Holocene deposits. The animals of the open, grassy environments (e.g. Arvicola amphibius, Microtus ex gr. arvalis/agrestis, Microtus sp.) are more abundant in the Late Pleistocene layers. A total of 246 bird (Aves) remains was discovered in the cave deposits. Preliminary results show presence of aquatic taxa (Anseriformes). Such faunal aggregate refers to the temperate continental climate conditions during the Late/Latest Pleistocene and the beginning of Holocene with open, grassy habitats at the end of Pleistocene, while at the beginning of Holocene forest vegetation started to spread in Europe, and was common environmental characteristic in the vicinity of the Zala Cave as well.

The Krapina sandstone rock shelter, excavated by Gorjanović-Kramberger between 1899 and 1905, is dated to MIS-5e or about 130, 000 years ago. It precedes the arrival of Homo sapiens in the region by thousands of years, so any cultural remains from the site is strictly done by Neanderthals. Besides the eight white-tailed eagle talons and phalanx, another item seems to indicate that Neanderthals had some aesthetic appreciation. Among the >1000 lithic items, Davorka Radovčić identified a unique cobble in 2013. This is a mostly unmodified brownish, flat piece of micritic limestone (mudstone) bearing an array of black dendritic forms on both sides. It is unique at the site, differing from other tools, cores and flakes, which are dominated by volcanic tuffs, silica tuffs and chert (~88%). The rock is unmodified and the margins show no edge wear, so the rock was never collected as raw material for further reduction or used as a tool. This rock is unique at Krapina and seems to have been collected for its distinctive appearance, suggesting that Krapina Neanderthals had some kind of aesthetic curiosity.

Eight white-tailed eagle talons, together with a foot phalanx, were found at the Krapina Neanderthal site between 1899 and 1905, dating to around 130.000 BP. They represent an early example of Neanderthal ornaments, with evidence of cut marks, polished areas and two densely compacted areas. These seem to indicate that the talons were worn as an item of jewelry. Further inspection of the talon surfaces revealed concentrated traces of black coating, occasional spots of red pigment and a fiber adhering to the surface within a wide cut mark on the talon 386.1. For this talon, we investigated small portions of pigmented areas and the fiber by non-invasive infra-red beam SISSI at the Elettra Sincrotrone facility (Trieste, Italy). Spectrometric analysis confirmed that the red pigments in two isolated areas appear to be ochre. The area around the fiber is characterized by aluminum and calcium phosphate composition. Four different areas (we acquired 4 single point spectra each from an area of 50x50 microns and two IR images with a 64x64 pixels detector, each over an area of 150x150 microns) along the fiber were targeted, revealing the protein nature of the fiber, that can be tentatively identified as a collagen-based fiber. Targeted areas within the fiber give the signal of the β-sheet aggregation, evidencing collagen losing its α-helix conformation as a consequence of diagenetic aging and thus confirming the antiquity of the fiber. Due to the antiquity and particular location of the fiber within the cut mark, it is possible that the fiber is a remnant of the leather or sinew string binding the talons together. Further general surface elemental mapping can answer whether the pigments reveal intentional application or presence due to diagenetic processes. Location of the fiber within the cut mark and its visible twisting along with other physical changes on the talons fits the hypothesis that these talons were strung together as an ornament.

On the eastern Adriatic coast many sites contain avifaunal remains, but only few have abundant bird remains in combination with long stratigraphic sequence. In order to get insight into bird use by humans from the Late Upper Palaeolithic to the Neolithic on the eastern Adriatic coast, we compiled and compared avifaunal records from two cave sites on different sides of the Adriatic Sea: Ljubićeva pećina in southern Istria and Vela spila on the western part of the island of Korčula. Both sites have almost continuous stratigraphy from the Late Pleistocene to the Holocene with cultural remains that span from the Late Upper Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age. Anthropogenic surface modifications such as cut marks, peeling marks and burned bones were recorded on the bird bones from both sites, indicating humans as important accumulation agents of the birds. Similar patterns were observed: relative abundant anthropogenic surface modifications in the Late Upper Palaeolithic levels, compared to rare modifications in the Neolithic levels. However, Mesolithic levels were recorded only in Vela spila and they were characterised by increased anthropogenic surface modifications compared to the Late Upper Palaeolithic levels.

Spila nad Procjepom cave, 35 meters long chamber, is located on 210 m a.s.l. on the southern side of the Mljet island at the Briježina hill. The preliminary results of former investigations, which were performed from 2010 till 2012, gave the first sedimentological, paleontological, archaeological, as well as absolute dating informations for this site (Brajković et al. 2013, Oros Sršen et al. 2013, 2017). Collected faunal material consists of abundant marine (Echinidae, Crustacea, Mollusca /Gastropoda and Lamellibranchiata/, and Pisces), and slightly less numerous terrestrial taxa (Gastropoda, Amphibia, Aves, and Mammalia). Over 15, 000 specimens (total NISP = 15, 280) have been determined up till now. The material originates mostly from Sonda I (trench I) which was excavated in 2010 and 2011. Marine fauna prevail in this trench, while in Sonda II (trench II) skeletal elements of terrestrial animals are more represented. In 2010 two specimens (premolar and mandible) of Homo sapiens sapiens have been found. Also interesting are finds (canine fragments) of brown bear (Ursus arctos) which is not a member of the present-day fauna of the Mljet island. Other small mammal finds represent the animals which still live in this area. Avian remains are very scarce, unlike to the small ruminant remains (Capra and Ovis) which are very abundant. This leads to a conclusion that herding had an important role from the prehistoric to the recent times. It seems that similar importance had also different marine animals in the human diet on this island. Remains of wild animals are not so numerous, but in a certain aspect they unveil the conditions of environment in the vicinity of the cave. Among rodents prevail glirids (Glis glis) and murids (mice and rats), which are typical forest dwellers, as well as are beech marten (Martes foina) and brown bear (Ursus arctos), respectively. Among bird remains the following orders have been confirmed: Ciconiformes, Anseriformes, Falconiformes, Galliformes, Gruiformes, Strigiformes and Passeriformes. Majority of bird species still live on the island (as residents, summer or winter visitors and, passage migrants ; Jurinović et al. 2010). Exception are rock partridge (cf. Alectoris graeca) and long- eared owl (cf. Asio otus), which are not recorded in the recent fauna of Mljet. The bird taxa indicate more open environment in comparison to the present-day mainly forest one, as well as existence of water body in the surroundings, the most probably the Blatina pond nearby the Blato village. On the basis of former researches, as well as very abundant finds of different taxa, it would be necessary to continue the excavations to deeper layers which may contain the Late Pleistocene fauna. In that term, better understanding of the environmental conditions, and reconstructions of the climate and life of the Mljet island would be enabled.

Paleontological and archaeological site Vela spila cave is situated on a hill just above the Vela Luka town, on the western part of Korčula island. Vela Luka bay was formed when the sea inundated the valley in the foothills during the Holocene transgression. This site is excellent for observing faunal changes as it has almost continuous stratigraphy from the Late Pleistocene to Holocene. The cave is a well explored archaeological locality, with cultural remains that span from the Late Upper Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Early, Middle and Late Neolithic, Eneolithic and Bronze age (Radić and Miracle, in press) We have taxonomically and taphonomically examined avifaunal remains from the Late Pleistocene to the Early Holocene deposits, excavated during a fieldwork campaigns in 2004 and 2006. The aim was to see whether there will be an expected change in the composition of the avifaunal community following climate and sea level changes. Chronostratigraphical framework is based on published absolute dates (14C) that are complemented with relative archaeological (cultural) dating. We have found that the Late Pleistocene avifauna of Vela spila contained Arctic faunal elements, but the majority of the taxa can be found on the eastern Adriatic coast today, and are common in temperate climate. The Black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix), a continental species adapted to relatively colder climate and not part of the extant avifauna of the Southern Adriatic, was found in deposits dated to Late Glacial Maximum and Older Dryas. The Snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus), an arctic species, is discovered in deposits which are also dated to Older Dryas stadial. The rock partridge (Alectoris graeca), a Mediterranean species, is identified in upper (younger) horizons, dated to Bølling/Allerød interstadial, and in the Holocene as well. Early Holocene avifauna consisted of extant bird taxa of the eastern Adriatic coast, but with some differences in composition which can be explained with selective accumulation. These results improve our understanding on distribution and behaviour of avian species during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene on the Adriatic coast, and pave the way for the future, more elaborate, biodiversity studies.

Spila nad Procjepom cave (210 m asl) is situated in the Mljet National Park, on the southern side of the island of Mljet, above the Procjep Bay, at the Briježina Hill. The cave was investigated from 2010 - 2012 in collaboration with Public Institution “Mljet National Park” in order to determine its palaeontological and archaeological characteristics. The 35 m long cave was formed in the Jurassic- Cretaceous dolostones with limestone intercalations and is partially filled with sediments. Two test pits were dug. “S I” near the entrance and “S II” in the inner part of the cave. While the silty, topmost sediments were rich with remains of domesticated animals (mainly caprovines), sea fauna (fish and molluscs), and archaeological material (mainly pottery) spanning from the Copper Age to medieval time, the flowstone discovered beneath provide much older age. The age of 125, 359 ± 1631 cal BP was obtained from one stalagmite from the uppermost flowstone layer, absolutely dated using U-Th mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) at the University of Melbourne. This result indicates that one or multiple phases of erosion occurred between the Last Interglacial and the middle Holocene. Breccia layer underlaid the flowstones, containing dolostone clasts with calcite matrix and only few fragments of land snail shells, and overlaid unconsolidated dolostone debris of unknown age. The maximum depth of 195 cm from present-day sediment surface was reached in thus excavated “S I”. The sediment deposition in the cave lasted at least from the Last Interglacial (MIS 5e). However, the breccia and the dolostone debris beneath could be of MIS 6 age or older. Detailed sedimentological analyses will be performed in the future in order to shed light on the genesis of the sediments and cave.

The archaeozoology of the eastern Adriatic region is well documented through studies of faunal remains from coastal and island sites. However, hinterland is still 'shadowed' due to very little information available, mostly because of lack of explored sites. Zemunica cave is situated in the Middle Dalmatia around 35 kn north-east from Split, near the village of Bisko. It was excavated in 2005 during rescue archaeological excavation, revealing a stratigraphic sequence from the Late Upper Palaeolithic to the Early Bronze Age. Here we focus on the archaeofaunal material recovered from the deposits dated to the Pleistocene- Holocene transition and the Early Holocene. The vertebrate faunal assemblage comprising of large mammal and bird remains shows interesting temporal trends in taxonomic composition as well as in surface bone modification, indicating changes in the surrounding environment and corresponding subsistence strategies. The results of this study present new interesting data and contribute to our knowledge of exploitation strategies practised by people living in the hinterland of the eastern Adriatic as adaptation to the climatic and environmental changes during Pleistocene- Holocene transition.

The poster provides information about a new project that should provide an innovative opportunity to mend several gaps in the research capacity in Croatia in Archaeology, Genetics, and other ‘Sciences of the Past’ by twinning a consortium of Croatian researchers (CrEAMA Initiative) with archaeological scientists from the University of Cambridge (UCAM) and the University of Pisa (UNIPI).

Kvartarni period obilježen je izrazitim klimatskim oscilacijama. Izmjene glacijala i interglacijala, odnosno stadijala i interstadijala uzrokova le su nagle promjene u okolišu, a time i u sastavu životinjskih zajednica. U radu su predstavljeni rezultati detaljnih paleoekoloških i tafonomskih analiza ptičjih ostataka s četiriju špiljskih nalazišta na istočnoj jadranskoj obali koja su bogata ptičjim ostatcima i čije su naslage datirane u gornji pleistocen i/ili holocen (MIS 3 1). To su sljedeći lokaliteti: Marlera I, Šandalja II i Ljubićeva pećina u južnoj Istri te Vela spila na otoku Korčuli. Rezultati su interpretirani u vremenskom i prostornom ok viru : uspoređena je fosilna ptičja fauna iz istovremenih naslaga istraženih nalazišta smještenih na suprotnim krajevima Jadrana (sjeverozapadni i jugoistočni dio) te je uspoređena ukupna istražena avifauna različite starosti: MIS 3, MIS 2 i MIS 1. Iako se većina determiniranih vrsta može i danas vidjeti na istočnoj jadranskoj obali, u gornjopleistocenskoj avifauni prisutni s u arktički i sibirski faunistički elementi koji danas žive na sjeveru Europe ili u planinama. Holocenska avifauna sastojala se od vrsta koje i danas obitavaju na jadranskoj obali. Na svim su nalazištima primarni faktori akumulacije biogeni: mali grabežljivci, ptice grabljivice i/ili ljudi. Može se zaključiti da je tijekom gornjega pleistocena i početkom holocena jadranska obala obilovala različitim staništima te je bila pogodna za život raznovrsnim pticama. The Quaternary period is characterized by dramatic climate changes. Glacial - interglacial cycles as well as stadials and interstadials caused abrupt environmental changes that affected faunal communities and changed their compo sition. To make better our understanding of spatial and temporal environmental, as well as cultural changes, a vifaunal remains from four Late Pleistocene to Holocene (MIS 3 MIS 1) palaeontological and archaeological sites on the eastern Adriatic coast ar e taxonomically and taphonomically examined: Marlera I (NISP=100), Šandalja II (NISP=1936), Ljubićeva pećina (NISP=336), and Vela spila (NISP=601). The results are palaeoenviromentally, palaeoecologically and archaeozoologically interpreted. The Late Pleis tocene avifauna contained Arctic faunal elements, but the majority of the taxa can be found on the eastern Adriatic coast today. Early Holocene avifauna consisted of extant bird taxa of the eastern Adriatic coast, whether present as seasonal migrants or ye ar - round residents. Different taphonomic agents accumulated the bird bones, and bone surface modifications show that birds of prey, small carnivores, and humans helped accumulate these remains. Avifaunal assemblages from the eastern Adriatic coast indicate that a mosaic of habitats was present during the Late Pleistocene and beginning of the Holocene and that the Adriatic Plain supported a diverse and rich biome.

Krapina is well known Neanderthal site, situated in NW Croatia. Sandstone rock shelter on Hušnjakovo hill above the Krapinica River was excavated by Croatian geologist and palaeontologist Gorjanović-Kramberger. The site is dated to approximately 130, 000 years ago or MIS 5e by ESR and uranium series (Rink et al., 1995). Large mammal faunal assemblage corroborates these dates (Miracle, 2011). Except large assemblage of more than 900 Neanderthal bones and teeth (Radovčić et al. 1988), a rich faunal assemblage consists of 25 mammalian species, dominated by cave bear, beaver, Merck’s rhino and large bovids, and in addition birds, molluscs and several reptile bones. Lambrecht (1915) first examined and published Krapina bird specimens. The avifauna was subsequently revised by V. Malez (Malez and Malez, 1988). Since only 6 out of 28 remains are marked with stratigraphic information, avifaunal remains are considered here as one assemblage. Six specimens with stratigraphic layers written on them are as follows: faded red marking 6B on three white-tailed eagle talons (386.2, 386.3, and most probably 385.2), pencil marking 9 on two white-tailed eagle specimens (talon 385.4 and fibula 386.4), and a layer marking not visible anymore but reported by Malez & Malez (1988) on a Anseriformes specimen (386.5). A preliminary taphonomic study and taxonomic revision of the Krapina avifaunal assemblage was made, with emphasis on bone surface modification. Aim of this research was to examine what were the main taphonomic agents of accumulation of bird remains. Taphonomic analyses on white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) phalanges have been already published by Radovčić et al. (2015). The bird bone surfaces are generally well preserved. There are some weathering features, such as eroded surfaces and fine line fractures. Chemical etchings recorded on three passerine bones, were most probably caused by digestive acids of small animals. Tawny owl (Strix aluco) could be the main factor of accumulation of the bird bones from Krapina assemblage, since secondary source of tawny owls food are medium sized and small song- birds birds (e.g. Zawadska and Zawadski, 2007 ; Galeotti et al, 2009). Tawny owl probably roosted or nested in crevices near the site and might have died naturally there, and was deposited within the Krapina layers. However, activities of other birds of prey that fed on birds and regurgitate pellets under their roost and nest sites could not be excluded, even though their remains have not been found. The only bones with evidence of human manipulation are white tailed eagles’ phalanges that bear cut marks. These bones were brought to the site by the Neanderthals (Radovčić et al., 2015). More detailed analyses of the mineral composition of staining and incrustation will be conducted in the future.

The Quaternary period is characterized by dramatic climate changes. Glacial - interglacial cycles as well as stadials and interstadials caused abrupt environmental changes that affected faunal communities and changed their composition. To make better our understanding of spatial and temporal environmental, as well as cultural changes, avifaunal remains from four Late Pleistocene to Holocene (MIS 3 – MIS 1) palaeontological and archaeological sites on the eastern Adriatic coast are taxonomically and taphonomically examined: Marlera I (NISP=100), Šandalja II (NISP=1936), Ljubićeva pećina (NISP=336), and Vela spila (NISP=601). The results are palaeoenviromentally, palaeoecologically and archaeozoologically interpreted. The Late Pleistocene avifauna contained Arctic faunal elements, but the majority of the taxa can be found on the eastern Adriatic coast today. Early Holocene avifauna consisted of extant bird taxa of the eastern Adriatic coast, whether present as seasonal migrants or year-round residents. Different taphonomic agents accumulated the bird bones, and bone surface modifications show that birds of prey, small carnivores, and humans helped accumulate these remains. Avifaunal assemblages from the eastern Adriatic coast indicate that a mosaic of habitats was present during the Late Pleistocene and beginning of the Holocene and that the Adriatic Plain supported a diverse and rich biome.

U miocenskim marinskim naslagama kamenoloma Bizek i Orešje, na zapadnom i istočnom obodu Medvednice pronađena su tri fragmenta kostiju vertebrata. Fragmenti rebara (duljine oko 55 mm, medio-lateralne širine oko 25 mm, i dorzo-ventralne širine oko 45 mm) većih morskih sisavaca, bili su uklopljeni u litotamnijske vapnence i litavce badenske starosti, koji su transgresivno taloženi na starijoj mezozojskoj podlozi. Mali fragmenti rebara nisu pogodni anatomski elementi za točnije taksonomske odredbe. Stoga su s ciljem preciznije taksonomske odredbe pripremljeni njihovi mikroskopski preparati. Na poprečnim presjecima (makroskopski i mikroskopski) kod svih je uzoraka dobro vidljiv tanji korteks u odnosu na središnji dio kosti, što je karakteristika kostiju kitova (red Cetacea BRISSON, 1762), za razliku od morskih krava ili sirena (red Sirenia ILLIGER, 1811), čije kosti zbog načina života (hranjenje u plićacima i uz morsko dno) imaju deblji korteks (GRAY et al., 2007). Životinje iz reda Cetacea (kitovi, dupini i pliskavice) dobri su plivači i žive uglavnom u dubljim morima i oceanima, a njihove kosti imaju „lakšu“ strukturu (tanji kompaktni dio kosti). Po tome se razlikuju od svojih kopnenih srodnika parnoprstaša (red Artiodactyla OWEN, 1848 ; na primjer vodenkonj) i već spomenutih sirena. S nalazišta na obodu Medvednice već su od ranije poznati fosilni ostatci nekih velikih morskih sisavaca (npr. kitova, sirena, perajara /podred Pinnipedia ILLIGER, 1811 ; GORJANOVIĆ-KRAMBERGER, 1892 ; ŠUKLJE, 1938). Za ove nove nalaz, zbog morfologije i veličine fragmenata, pretpostavlja se da su najvjerojatnije pripadali kitovima, iako nije posve isključena ni pripadnost nekim drugim taksonima velikih morskih sisavaca.

U Veloj spili na otoku Korčuli terenska istraživanja i iskopavanja traju s prekidima od 1974. godine. U špilji, koja je smještena na južnoj padini brda Pinski rat, 130 m iznad uvale Kale u gradu Vela Luka, pronađen je bogat arheološki i paleontološki materijal. Dio analiziranog materijala čine fosilni ostatci ježeva pronađeni tijekom iskopavanja 2004., 2006. i 2010. godine. Među pronađenim primjercima zastupljeni su gotovo svi anatomski elementi. Iz ukupno određenog osteoodontološkog materijala (NISP / Number of Identified Specimens = 112) kojem je određena pripadnost ježevima (rod Erinaceus LINNAEUS, 1758) u ovom radu izdvojeno je samo šest donjih čeljusti s vidljivim morfološkim karakteristikama na temelju kojih je moguće učiniti specifičke determinacije. Usporedbama s recentnim komparativnim materijalom, kao i podatcima iz literature za recentne i fosilne ježeve, donje čeljusti iz Vele spile sa sigurnošću su određene kao vrsta Erinaceus roumanicus BARRETT-HAMILTON, 1900 (sjeverni bjeloprsi jež). Za ostale anatomske elemente (NISP = 97) točna specifička odredba nije bila moguća, pa im je određena samo pripadnost rodu (Erinaceus sp.), dok je za neke primjerke (NISP = 15) i generička determinacija nesigurna (?Erinaceus sp.). Fosilni nalazi ježeva potječu iz devet slojeva Vele spile – od starijeg XVI sloja, preko XIV, XIII, XII, XI, X, VIII, VI, do mlađeg V sloja. Raspon starosti ovih slojeva je od gornjeg pleistocena do holocena. Učinjene su i radiometrijske (14C) datacije materijala iz pojedinih slojeva, a dobivene su vrijednosti od ~15.000 (sloj XIII) do ~7600 (sloj V) godina prije sadašnjosti (kalibrirane vrijednosti). U slojevima XIII, XII i XI nađene su spomenute donje čeljusti ježeva (NISP = 6), kojima je točno određena pripadnost vrsti sjevernog bjeloprsog ježa. Starost sloja XIII je oko 15.000 do 14.000 godina prije sadašnjosti, sloju XII određena je starost od približno 9400 do 9000 godina prije sadašnjosti, dok je dobivena datacija za XI sloj oko 9200 do 8000 godina prije sadašnjosti. U arheološkom smislu sloj XIII pripada kasnom gornjem paleolitiku, a slojevi XII i XI su mezolitičke starosti, dok bi u geološkom smislu prvospomenuti sloj bio gornjopleistocenski, a druga dva bi odgovarala kraju Preboreala i početku Boreala. Četiri elementa na mandibulama sjevernih bjeloprsih ježeva: processus angularis, processus condylaris, te na lingvalnoj strani kosti foramen mandibulae i milohioidna linija važni su kod određivanja taksonomske pripadnosti fosilnih ostataka. Kod vrsta E. concolor (južni bjeloprsi jež) i E. roumanicus procesusi su izraženiji (p. condylaris) i izduženiji (p. angularis), milohioidna linija se račva u dva ogranka u nivou s mandibularnim otvorom (foramen mandibulae), koji je ujedno veći nego kod vrste E. europaeus (tamnoprsi jež). Kod tamnoprsih ježeva milohioidna linija je jedna. Na tri donje čeljusti sačuvan je po jedan četvrti pretkutnjak, a na jednoj od njih i prvi kutnjak. Sve su jedinke najvjerojatnije bile odrasli primjerci. Ježevi su danas, a i nekad su bili, životinje umjerene klimatske zone. S obzirom da na području današnje Hrvatske živi sjeverni bjeloprsi jež (s izuzetkom Istre, gdje uz spomenutu vrstu živi i tamnoprsi jež), da je mandibulama sa sigurnošću određena pripadnost toj vrsti, za pretpostaviti je da i ostali pronađeni skeletni ostaci ježeva, kosti i izolirani zubi, pripadaju vrsti Erinaceus roumanicus.

Životinjski ostaci česti su na arheološkim nalazištima a u pojedinim slučajevima predstavljaju i najbrojniju skupinu nalaza. Stručnjaci koji se bave analizom životinjskih ostataka različitih su vokacija i rade u različitim institucijama. Složenost arheozooloških analiza i količina informacija koje se bilježe znatno usporavaju rad, a opisni podaci su teško uskladivi i često subjektivni. Stoga se koriste određeni sustavi za popunjavanje baze podataka, čija je osnovna funkcija brzina bilježenja informacija, ujednačenost i svrhovitost prikupljenih podataka. Ovaj rad predstavlja modificirani oblik sustava kodiranja bonecode, izvorno razvijenog 70-ih godina prošlog stoljeća na višeslojnim arheološkim nalazištima na Bliskom istoku. Sustav kao predložak koristi proračunsku tablicu iz Microsoft Excel programa s unaprijed određenim brojem stupaca koji predstavljaju različite kategorije kojima su obuhvaćene sve relevantne informacije o anatomiji, taksonomiji i tafonomiji, kao i metrijske vrijednosti. Podaci se upisuju u obliku brojčanih kodova ili šifri. Iako je njihovo značenje unaprijed određeno i nepromijenjivo, moguće je dodavati nove kategorije i nove šifre čime je ovaj sustav dovoljno fleksibilan da se može prilagođavati potrebama analize materijala s različitih nalazišta.

The general objective of the project is to create a common database as decision support tool based on a long-term approach. Based on the crucial past experience, it will help establish ecological corridors as an excellent example of sustainable future management.

This paper presents palaeoecological and taphonomic analyses of bird remains from Late Pleistocene sediments from two caves in southern Istria, Šandalja II and Ljubićeva pećina. Most of the determined species are found today in Istria and along the Adriatic coast, although the presence of ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus) and willow grouse (L. lagopus) indicates colder conditions than those characteristic of the region today. Taxa from both sites are characteristic of open, forest-steppe, rocky, forest, and mixed biotopes. These sites differ somewhat in avifaunal composition – aquatic-adapted taxa are only found at Šandalja, probably reflecting differences in human activities and in their geographic settings. Likewise, only Šandalja’s assemblages show an increase in the representation of forest- adapted taxa over time. These data from the bird remains complement reconstructions based on mammalian assemblages from these sites. Different taphonomic agents accumulated the bird bones, and bone surface modifications show that birds of prey, small carnivores, and Late Upper Palaeolithic people helped accumulate these assemblages. The important Late Pleistocene avifaunal assemblages from southern Istria indicate that a mosaic of habitats was present during the Late Pleistocene and a deep time-depth to the rich biodiversity of the region today. Furthermore they suggest that the exposed Adriatic Plain supported a diverse and rich biome.

Archeogenetics is a discipline based on molecular and population genetics with target to analyse ancient biological remains (ancient DNA). It is mainly oriented to ancient DNA from humans and domestic animals and plants, although, analyses of other materials might come to use. The full exploitation of archeogenetic information is heavily dependent on the interdisciplinary research as the sound explanations would require knowledge on a number of diverse disciplines (paleontology, zooarchaeology, archaeology, molecular genetics and population genetics). We built a small team of researchers involved in all required disciplines in order to analyse faunal remains present in Croatia with focus on domestic animals and their wild relatives. While our interests are wide with respect to a number of domestic species and their wild relatives we decided to start with lagomorphs. This decision has been very much influenced by the activities of a COST RGB project entitled "A collaborative European Network on Rabbit Genome Biology - RGB- Net " where we are participating (WG1: Refinement of the European rabbit genome resource and development of genome-based platforms and WG4: Genetics and comparative genomic aspects for the study, exploitation and management of wild lagomorphs). Currently, the status of literature overview is the following. MtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) has been determined from a large number of lagomorph species at the individual level and the comparison of those DNA sequences represents a mainstay of phylogenetics, in that it allows biologists to elucidate the evolutionary relationships among species and it also permits an examination of the relatedness of populations. MtDNA genetic diversity analysing mitochondrial DNA from remains of archaeological sites with present population theories of origin of O. cuniculus were postulated, also other markers were used as well (heteroplasmy, RFLP, mtDNA sequencing–cyt b, tRNA, CR). The study of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the entire rabbit mtDNA molecule revealed the existence of two very distinct maternal lineages (Ennafaa et al., 1987 ; Biju-Duval et al., 1991). Lineage A was found in the south-west of the Iberian Peninsula and lineage B in the rest of Europe (including northern Spain) and also in domestic breeds. A clear subdivision into two groups was also found when nuclear genes were studied (Van der Loo et al., 1991, 1999 ; Ferrand, 1995), with a geographical distribution that largely coincides with that of the two mitochondrial clades A and B. Thus clade A was tentatively associated with O. c. algirus and clade B with O. c. cuniculus, as well as the corresponding nuclear gene pools (Biju-Duval et al., 1991 ; van der Loo et al., 1991 ; Ferrand, 1995 ; Branco & Ferrand, 1998). Even during the coldest periods, three regions in the Mediterranean area had temperate climates ; the Iberian and Italian peninsulas, and the Balkans (Bennet et al. 1991). When the temperature decreased, the northern populations of many species became extinct, but the species may have survived during hostile times in these Mediterranean refugia. From plant and animal remains it is clear that most organisms presently distributed across Europe were in refugia in the south at the height of glaciations 18 000 BP, many in the peninsulas of Iberia, Italy and the Balkans, and some possibly near the Caucasus and Caspian Sea (Hewit, 1999). Present lagomorphs in Croatia are Lepus europaeus and Oryctolaguscuniculus. Taxonomic identification of lagomorphs remains in this preliminary study is based exclusively on their morphometric characteristics. Future work is the ancient DNA analysis, sequencing of whole mtDNA by new technology, and filling gaps with Balkan refugia which we missed in literature.

The aim of the project is a more sustainable agriculture and the re-ruralisation of remote mountainous regions in the Danube River Basin through the strengthening and establishment of organic farms in selected less developed mountainous regions, and through educating the demographically young population of the Danube area to organic farming methods and practices and to the ecological relevance of quality farming. Organic food production implements traditional and indigenous knowledge, fosters a more eco-friendly use of soil and water resources, and allows farmers in market-marginalized areas to rely on local resources and food distribution systems, therefore addressing the challenges of demographic change in mountainous regions by creating local networks and strengthening marketing activities in the selected regions.

Vela Spila is a cave on the western end of Korčula island, Croatia. The first archaeological excavations date back to the mid-20th century, and since the 1970s systematic research has been carried out. The zooarchaeological analysis of larger mammal remains shows interesting shifts in taxonomic representation. They are interpreted in terms of the nature and intensity of human occupations, changes in past human diet, ecological changes (climate and sea level rise), and demographic/cultural changes caused by the spread of farming in the Eastern Adriatic region. This paper presents an analysis of animal remains from Trench 2 (NISP = 1784) excavated in 2010 and 2011. During the final stages of the Late Pleistocene and transition to the Early Holocene a significant increase in leporid remains can be seen, while big game (e.g. red deer) is decreasing and in some layers is almost completely missing. This could indicate a somewhat different pattern of use of the cave by people during that period, in which other animals used it more often. Later in the early Holocene and on into the Mesolithic one finds a very different assemblage composed of small to medium-sized carnivores (mostly red fox), roe deer, marine mammals (dolphins), and a small number of other small animals (e.g. hedgehog) of which some remains have clear cut marks indicating human agency. Significantly, hare is absent from this assemblage. These data suggest a very specialized diet focused mostly on foxes and roe deer. Although relatively common, none of the dolphin remains have evidence of human activity, so the significance of their presence in the assemblage has yet to be determined. The Early Neolithic is characterized by the appearance of domestic taxa (mainly sheep and/or goat with occasional pig remains), indicating a dramatic shift in human diet. During the initial stages of the Early Neolithic remains of small to medium-sized carnivores (red fox in particular) can still be traced in the assemblage suggesting that certain elements of the Mesolithic tradition continue during the first Neolithic occupations at the cave. There is little evidence of the hunting of larger game (e.g. roe and red deer). These layers also revealed a few dog remains. In overlying Neolithic layers (Early, Middle, and Late Neolithic) the fauna is composed almost exclusively of sheep and/or goat remains. At the end of Neolithic and continuing into the Copper and Bronze Ages, other domestic taxa (pig and especially cattle) become more common.

The aim of the project is a more sustainable agriculture and the re-ruralisation of remote mountainous regions in the Danube River Basin through the strengthening and establishment of organic farms in selected less developed mountainous regions, and through educating the demographically young population of the Danube area to organic farming methods and practices and to the ecological relevance of quality farming. Organic food production implements traditional and indigenous knowledge, fosters a more eco-friendly use of soil and water resources, and allows farmers in market- marginalized areas to rely on local resources and food distribution systems, therefore addressing the challenges of demographic change in mountainous regions by creating local networks and strengthening marketing activities in the selected regions.

The fossil cave of Šandalja II and the cave Ljubićeva pećina are located in Cretaceous limestones 4 and 13 km, respectively, to the east and northeast of the city of Pula. Although these sites today are located within a few kilometres of the coast, during the late glacial period (MIS 2), due to global regression of the sea, the sites were situated on the northern edge of the Great Adriatic Plain and the coastline was many kilometres to the south. Aim of this research was to examine, through detailed taxonomic and taphonomic analysis what were the main taphonomic agents of accumulation of birds remains, and do they change over time. A total of 1016 bird remains were identified (NISP - number of identified specimens). From the order Passeriformes, only the family Corvidae was analyzed ; other remains were only recorded as Passeriformes (NISP = 538). A total of 478 complete and fragmented bird bones were anatomically, taxonomically and taphonomically analyzed. Rich assemblages of bird remains have been found in Šandalja II (older assemblage: layers Cs – B/C and younger assemblage: layers Bd – Bg) and Ljubićeva pećina (trench B, two assemblages: “older”/ca. 15-16 cal BP and “younger”/ca. 10-13 cal BP). Following orders are represented: Podicipediformes, Pelecaniformes, Ciconiiformes, Anseriformes, Falconiformes, Galliformes, Gruiformes, Charadriiformes, Columbiformes, Strigiformes and Passeriformes. The avifauna from these sites indicates the existence of the various habitats in southern Istria during the late glacial period: aquatic, open, forest steppe, rocky, forest and mixed. The bird bone surfaces are generally well preserved and bear evidence of cut marks, burning, and gnawing. There are some weathering features, including eroded surfaces, fine line fractures, and slight root etching. The frequency of bone surface modifications does not vary dramatically by site or over time, with the exception of the unusually high frequency of burning in the “older” assemblage at Ljubićeva pećina as well as absence of gnawing marks in both assemblages from the same site (Figure 1.). The different taphonomic agents accumulated bird remains. Birds such as rock dove, raven, yellow-billed chough, red-billed chough, kestrel and owls probably roosted or nested in the caves or crevices near the caves and might have died naturally there, although some of them were prey of human or animal predators. Other species do not use caves and probably were brought there by humans or animal predators. Small carnivore gnaw marks are found on bones of falcons, ducks, hazel grouse, black grouse, great bustard, small bustard, and yellow-billed chough at Šandalja II. The relative abundance of the remains of small passerines is probably related to the activities of birds of prey (owls and falcons) that fed on them and regurgitated pellets under their roost and nest sites. Cut marks and to a lesser extent burned bones are evidence that humans used the birds. Some birds probably were hunted for food (e.g. ducks, grouses, partridges and bustards) but others might have been used not only for food, but also for other, symbolic purposes. Humans were important agents of accumulation of bird bones at both sites, which was expected since both caves are important archaeological sites.

Spila nad Procjepom, poznata i kao Brežica (Bognar i Curić, 1995), Špilja kod Nereznog dola (Hrvatsko biospeleološko društvo, kat. br. špilje 42/29), Spila na Brježini i Draganova spila, nalazi se na istočnoj granici Nacionalnog parka Mljet, na južnoj strani otoka iznad uvale Procjep, na padini Brježina na nadmorskoj visini od 210 m. Špilja je dobro poznata lokalnom stanovništvu i još je donedavno služila kao tor za stoku, na što upućuje i suhozid na ulazu te više pregradnih niskih suhozida unutar špilje. Ukupna je duljina špilje 35 m. Formirana je u jursko-krednim šećerastim dolomitima s ulošcima vapnenaca. Sudeći prema geološkoj karti (Husinec, 2002) nastala je duž rasjeda koji se pruža od Nereznog dola do uvale Brježina (ZJZ – ISI). Prema morfološkim obilježjima kanal je tipični freatski, o čemu svjedoče i vrtložni lonci na svodu. Ulaz je veličine oko 6 x 2 m i okrenut prema jugozapadu i morskoj obali. Objekt se morfološki može podijeliti na ulazni dio, koji je danas većinom suh i aktivan je samo u kišnom periodu, središnji suhi dio između dva suhozida te stražnji, hidrološki aktivniji dio sa špiljskim ukrasima. Špilja je djelomice zapunjena kvartarnim sedimentima koji se preliminarno istražuju od 2010. godine (Brajković et al. 2011 ; 2012). Prva istražna sonda, površine oko 5 m2, locirana je u ulaznom dijelu uz istočnu stijenu špilje. Debljina istraženih naslaga pod kojima je istaložena kalcificirana breča je 1 m. Druga sonda površine 6 m2, nalazi se u stražnjem dijelu, a pod naslagama debljine 1, 5 m izlučena je sigasta kora koja za sada nije probijana. Sedimenti se u obje sonde dijele na rahli površinski povijesni sloj poremećen antropogenim djelovanjem i bioturbacijama i dublji kompaktniji prapovijesni sedimentni kompleks. U sloju 1 prve sonde zanimljiv je nalaz zuba i dijela ljudske čeljusti (Homo sapiens sapiens), a u sloju 2 iste sonde, ulomci očnjaka mrkog medvjeda (Ursus arctos), koji danas ne obitava na našim otocima. U mnoštvu sakupljenih ostataka stoke dominiraju kosti i zubi kapro-ovina (Capra/Ovis), koji potvrđuju vrlo razvijeno stočarstvo od prapovijesti do danas. U starijim naslagama brojne kućice ogrca (Monodonta sp.) i priljepaka (Patella sp.), svjedoče o značajnoj ulozi marinske malakofaune u prehrani prapovijesnih stanovnika otoka. Sporadični nalazi ostatka morskih beskralješnjaka, riba, ptica i nekih kopnenih kralješnjaka, nisu od utjecaja pri rekonstrukcijama načina na koji su ljudi koristili špilju. Dublji slojevi, bogati arheološkim materijalom iz brončanog i bakrenog doba, svjedoče o korištenju špilje zadnjih 5500 godina. Iako su brojna vatrišta i ognjišta locirana u brončanodobnim naslagama stražnjeg dijela (druga istražna sonda), ulomci prapovijesnog posuđa podjednako su brojni i prisutni u obje sonde. Krhotine antičkog posuđa, brojnije u stražnjem dijelu upućuju na pretpostavku kako je dublji i mračniji dio špilje tijekom rimskog razdoblja korišten kao privremeno sklonište. Malobrojni ostaci materijalne kulture iz kasnog srednjeg vijeka nađeni većinom u prednjem dijelu ukazuju na povremene kratkotrajne boravke ljudi u ulaznom prostoru u koji dopire dnevna svjetlost. Spila nad Procjepom za sada je jedno od najstarijih arheoloških nalazišta na Mljetu.

Preliminarna istraživanja Spile nad Procjepom u Nacionalnom parku «Mljet» nastavljena su tijekom 2011. godine. U probnoj Sondi I i II sakupljeno je više tisuća ostataka različitih morskih i kopnenih životinja, kao i veliki broj arheološkog materijala.

Istria is a peninsula in the northern part of Adriatic coast that is characterized by temperate climate. However, during the Late Glacial period Istria was continental hilly to sub-mountain region above Great Adriatic Plain (Šercelj, 1996). After the Last Glacial Maximum, sea level started to rise and gradually flooded this plain in the next 10.000 years. A few cold and warm phases, stadials and interstadials, exchanged during that, relatively short period of time. In this study, we examine how these climatic and environmental changes affected avifauna and what were the main agents of accumulation of bird remains. To answer these questions, we analyzed bird remains both taxonomically and taphonomically from two Palaeolithic sites in south Istria, fossil cave Šandalja II and cave Ljubićeva pećina that are 4 km and 13 km away from the town of Pula. Avifaunal assemblages show that during the Late Glacial period different habitat types existed in south Istria. In older layers (ca. 15 -16 ky BP) of the Šandalja II assemblage species indicative for open environment were dominant and in younger layers (ca. 13 - 14 ky BP) species common for water- and forest environment were more numerous. In the assemblage of Ljubićeva pećina, however, species that are characteristic for rocky environment were dominant in both older and younger layers. Preliminary results from another trench of Ljubićeva pećina show presence of water species (e.g. various species of Anatidae and Podicipedidae families) and forest species (Tetrao urogallus and Aegolius funereus), which could be comparable with Šandalja II (but this layers haven't been apsolute dated yet). Birds that nowadays live in boreal region (Lagopus lagopus) or on mountains (Pyrrhocorax graculus) were also recorded on both sites. Cut marks and burned bones, as evidence of human use of birds, are found on both sites, in older and younger levels as well. Small carnivore tooth marks are recorded in Šandalja, which indicate animal predator. Other birds, such as rock dove, raven, jackdaw and alpine chough probably lived and nested in the cave or crevices near the cave.

Predstavljeni su rezultati arheozoološke analize skeletnih i dentalnih ostataka vertebrata (Mammalia, Aves) sakupljenih prilikom zaštitnih iskopavanja uz južni zid Arheološkog muzeja Istre u Puli.

Preliminarnim istraživanjima tijekom 2010. godine iskopavane su špiljske naslage u probnoj Sondi I na lokalitetu Spila nad Procjepom (otok Mljet). Više tisuća ostataka različitih morskih i kopnenih životinja preliminarno je anatomski i taksonomski određeno. Arheološki materijal ukazuje na korištenje špilje tijekom bakrenog, brončanog, antičkog i kasnosrednjovjekovnog razdoblja. Spila nad Procjepom izuzetno je važno prapovijesno nalazište na Mljetu, čija će daljnja istraživanja sigurno iznijeti nove spoznaje o nekadašnjoj fauni i paleookolišu, kao i brojnim aspektima i načinima života stanovnika otoka, osobito tijekom prapovijesnih razdoblja.

U radu su predstavljeni rezultati arheozoološke analize osteoodontoloških ostataka vertebrata sakupljenih prilikom zaštitnih istraživanja uz južni zid zgrade Arheološkog muzeja Istre u Puli.

The Adriatic basin experienced dramatic environmental changes during the Late Glacial period (ca. 20, 000 -11, 500 cal yr BP), in particular owing to sea level rise. The impact of these changes on the palaeoecology and past human subsistence is examined through a comparison of Late Glacial avifauna from two Palaeolithic sites on the Croatian coast – fossil cave Šandalja on peninsula of Istria (NW) and cave Vela Spila on island of Korčula (SE). Although the SE part of the basin was affected first, the change in geography was relatively slight owing to the steep coastline and relatively small size of the exposed plain. The NW part of Adriatic basin, in contrast, suffered significant change, a loss of great plain during Late Glacial because of sea level rise, slightly later in time (end of MIS 2 and beginning of MIS 1). Bird bones were taxonomically and taphonomically analyzed in order to examine deposition processes, human use and palaeoenvironment changes in the context of these geographic contrasts. We recorded human use of birds at both sites as well as confirmed differences in avifauna composition due to different geographic positions. In the context of these geographic contrasts species indicative for rocky environment were significant in Vela spila and species common for humid and steppe environment in Šandalja.

A fossil cave system at Marlera in southern Istria was opened and partially devastated by quarry working ; preliminary, interdisciplinary investigations of the exposed sediment profiles have already been reported (MAUCH LENARDIĆ, 2005, BRAJKOVIĆ et al., 2005). Based on those results the systematic research of the fossil cave Marlera I, dating to MIS 2/3, was started. The upper part of the sedimentary body has been investigated and described to a relative depth of -320 cm beneath the surface ; the lower part of the sedimentary body has not yet been investigated in detail. The general sedimentary characteristics and taphonomic features of the fossil material indicate accumulation in a relatively accessible subsurface environment, which had to be, at least occasionally, in contact with the surface. Thin layers of coloured clays were located in the central (horizontally and vertically) part of the sedimentary body. They are vertically continuously distributed, while horizontally they have a limited extent. This indicates a persistent and slow water flow. The limited import of material, as well as redeposited Ostracoda shells from nearby Paleogene sediments, several pebbles, iron concretions, and fragments of calcite crystals and flowstone found scattered in the loose, loess-like sediment (10YR6/6), show some fluctuations in sedimentation. Stratigraphic relations are hard to determine because of the large amount of angular and subangular fragments of limestone debris and blocks of weathered limestone bedrock scattered in the sediment. In bedrock niches from the western part of the cave wall, a dark, relatively younger sediment (7.5YR3/2) with an almost humus habitus has been found. Small shards of Neolithic ceramics, Neolithic lithic artifacts, and fish bones, were found exclusively in this dark sediment ; remains of birds and other small vertebrates were less frequent in the dark sediment compared to the rest of the sedimentary body. The morphology of the whole cave system, the locations of communication points between the cave and the surface, the ways of in which fossils accumulated, and relations between Pleistocene and Holocene sediments need still to be determined. In accordance with the characteristics of the deposits, the fossil remains are mechanically and chemically very damaged. Anatomic-taxonomic determination and taphonomic research have been carried out on the fossil remains of large and small vertebrates from the sedimentary complex in the horizontal surface of 11 m2 and a vertical range from -320 (top part), to the excavated depth of -510 cm. Over six thousand (NISP = 6804) fossil remains (bones and teeth) of small vertebrates have been found in Marlera I sediments only during the excavations in 2009. 90.14 % of these finds have been anatomically and taxonomically determined. Most of the fossil remains, excepting teeth, are fragmented. The majority of determined finds are from rodents, including Muridae (less abundant) and Arvicolidae (more numerous) from the taxa Arvicola terrestris, Microtus arvalis, M. ex gr. arvalis/agrestis, M. ex. gr. subterraneus/multiplex, and M. sp. Eulipotyphla (= Insectivora) are represented by 139 finds (mainly Talpa sp., but also Crocidura), and they are the second most abundant group of small animals. Less abundant are skeletal fragments of fish (Pisces), amphibians (anuras, ?Bufo sp.), reptiles (?Lacerta sp.), and bats (Chiroptera). The remains of common/field voles (Microtus ex gr. arvalis/agrestis) are the most abundant arvicolid findings. The determined remains of microvertebrates confirm the previous conclusions (BRAJKOVIĆ et al., 2005, MAUCH LENARDIĆ, 2005, 2007) that during the Late Pleistocene in the vicinity of Marlera I site there prevailed open, grassy habitats of temperate climate. We have analysed thousands of bones and teeth of large mammals (NISP = 3205) and over a hundred bird bones (NISP = 120) from the trial probe and systematic excavations. Results of our analyses of this greatly enlarged large mammal assemblage radiometrically dated to 41 ky BP, confirm the earlier determined mammal faunal association, while the avifaunal association was updated with the following taxa: Falco vespertinus, Limosa limosa, Corvus corone / frugilegus, Carduelis carduelis, Picus cf. canus and family Alaudidae. The supplemented avifaunal assemblage now includes members of the following orders: Anseriformes, Falconiformes, Galliformes, Gruiformes, Charadriiformes, Passeriformes and Coraciiformes. These finds confirm the prevalence of species of temperate and humid climate, while the species of steppe and rocky environment were represented only by a few species. Fragments of digested bones and teeth of ugulates, foxes and birds, as well as various gnawing marks, indicate presence of carnivores. Vulpes vulpes and Panthera spelaea dominate in the assemblage and are the major factor in the accumulation of fossil material. Both taxa are represented by all age categories, from infantile/juvenile to adult and old, suggesting that they denned in the cave. The remains of Canis lupus and Felis silvestris are sporadic throughout the sequence. Of the ungulate remains, the most abundant are those of Dama dama represented by all age categories, followed by numerous infantile individuals of Bos primigenius, and juvenile to old individuals of Cervus elaphus. Only a few remains of roe deer, pig (Sus scrofa) and hare (Lepus europaeus) are scattered in all horizons. Equus caballus is represented by limb parts of adult individuals. The mode of import into the sediment of adult auroch and red deer skeletons with skulls and horns/antler, is quite intriguing. Humanly-modified lithic artifacts are distributed throughout the Pleistocene complex and attest to the presence of Palaeolithic hunters, while cut marks on bones and especially on the bone of a crane (Grus grus) indicate diversity of diet. Cut marks on the medial side of cave lion metapodials are particularly interesting. Systematic research of Marlera is being continued to address the different and complex questions that have appeared.

Zelenkasto sivi glinovito-laporoviti sedimenti otkriveni su unutar donjokrednih plitkomorskih platformnih karbonata na više lokaliteta na otoku Mljetu. Najveći broj takvih pojava vezan je uz litostratigrafsku jedinicu Goveđari baremske starosti (HUSINEC, 2002). Najčešće su prisutni kao nepravilni, nehomogeni slojevi debljine nekoliko centimetara, ali na nekim lokalitetima tvore i deblje slojeve. Pojave glinovitih sedimenata, kao i pojave breča predstavljaju završni stadij ciklusa oplićavanja naviše tj. pojave emerzije. Za potrebe ovog rada istraženi su takvi sedimenti i karbonati iz njihove neposredne podine i krovine s izdanaka u uvali Pračarica na Velikom jezeru odnosno na cesti iznad blatine kod Sobre. Sa ciljem određivanja njihovog sastava i porijekla, glinoviti sedimenti te netopivi ostaci karbonata analizirani su metodom difrakcije rendgenskih zraka na praškastim uzorcima. Odabrani uzorci su kemijski analizirani, snimani na infracrvenom spektrometru te datirani K-Ar metodom. Mikroskopiranjem vapnenaca određen je njihov mikrofosilni sadržaj i mikrofacijesne karakteristike. Na izdanku uz Veliko jezero glinoviti sediment pretežno sivo-zelene, ali ponekad i žućkasto-bijele boje, otkriven je u duljini od otprilike 1, 5m. Promjenjive je debljine, maksimalno oko deset centimetara, a u njemu je prisutno i kršje karbonata. Starost brečastog vapnenaca iz podine gline, klasificiranog kao algalni vekston-pekston, taloženog u okolišu plitke podplimne zone s niskom energijom vode, određena je kao baremska na temelju dasikladacejskih algi. Mikrofacijesna analiza ukazala je na moguće ostatke paleotla i milimetarske do centimetarske pukotine (rizolite) koje su najvjerojatnije nastale rastom korijenja u još neočvrslom sedimentu. U madstonu iz krovine mjestimično su vidljive pukotine s geopetalnim ispunama koje ukazuju na (povremeno) izranjanje još neočvrslog taloga u vadoznu zonu. U glinovitom materijalu determinirani su illit, klorit, kaolinit i kalcit, a vrlo sličan je i mineralni sastav netopivog ostatka krovinskog vapnenca. Netopivi ostatak homogenih dijelova vapnenca iz podine je bitno različit ; u njemu su određeni muskovit, kvarc i kaolinit. Glinoviti sedimenti na izdanku kraj Sobre, dolaze u dva nivoa, i odlikuju se daleko većom debljinom (do 2 m) nego na prethodno opisanom lokalitetu, i uključuju različito velike ulomke vapnenaca, kao što je to opisao i HUSINEC (2002). Mikrofosilna zajednica (dasikladacejske alge i foraminifere) peloidno-bioklastičnog vekston-pekstona iz podine starijeg glinovitog sloja u skladu je s baremskom starošću jedinice Goveđari. Okoliš taloženja je plitkomorski s niskom do srednjom energijom. Karakteristike baremskog fenestralnog bioklastičnog pekstona-grejnstona ukazuju na okoliš u području izmjene plime i oseke. U podini mlađeg glinovitog horizonta je fenestralni madston-vekston sa stilolitskim šavovima taložen u okolišu plimne zone. U peloidno-fenestralnom vekstonu stromatolitne građe iz krovine mlađeg glinovitog horizonta uočene su fenestre s geopetalnim ispunama. Taložen je ili u zoni izmjene plime i oseke ili u natplimnoj zoni. Mineralni sastav oba glinovito-laporovita horizonta je sličan. U oba su determinirani illit, kaolinit, klorit, kalcit čiji je udio unutar horizonta izuzetno promjenjiv, a prisutne su i interstratificirane gline koje nisu mogle biti detaljnije determinirane. Kalcit je u nekim dijelovima glinovito-laporovitog horizonta dominantan, dok je drugdje prisutan ili kao sporedan ili u tragovima. Na ovom lokalitetu netopivi ostatak vapnenca iz podine starijeg glinovitog horizonta i materijal iz tog horizonta imaju sličan mineralni sastav. U vapnencu iz krovine povišen je udio kaolinita u odnosu na druge minerale glina. Netopivi ostaci vapnenaca iz podine i krovine mlađeg glinovitog horizonta bitno su različiti od onih iz karbonata vezanih za stariji glinoviti horizont odnosno za proslojke gline na lokalitetu uz Veliko jezero. U njima su kao glavni sastojci u siltnoj frakciji determinirani autigeni kalijski feldspati. Postanak glinovitog sedimenta nije jednoznačno određen. Različiti mineralni sastavi tog sedimenta i netopivog ostatka podinskog vapnenca s Velikog jezera te kratko trajanje emerzije ukazuju da porijeklo glina najvjerojatnije ne treba vezati uz vapnence. Budući da su naslage bile taložene na uglavnom izoliranoj Jadranskoj karbonatnoj platformi (VLAHOVIĆ et al., 2005) porijeklo glina je vjerojatnije povezano s vulkanskom prašinom, koja vjetrovima može biti nošena na velike udaljenosti. Pretpostavka je da je vulkanski je materijal bio podvrgnut procesima trošenja koje su slijedili dijagenetski procesi (SANDLER & HARLAVAN, 2006) tijekom kojih su nastali illit i autigeni felspati.

Grayish-green clay-rich sediment and marls found as thin, irregular layers in Lower Cretaceous shallow-water carbonate sediments on the island of Mljet (Dalmatia, Croatia) were analyzed in order to determine their composition and origin. Samples of limestones taken immediately below and above clay layer were analysed by micropalaeontological and microfacies methods while their insoluble residues were analysed by X-ray diffraction method. Minerals that were determined in the clay are illite, chlorite, kaolinite and calcite. Limestone sampled above the clay layer had 0.42 wt.% of insoluble residue composed of illite, chlorite and kaolinite, which is very similar in composition to clay samples. The mineral composition of insoluble residue (which was 1.6 wt.%) of brecciated limestone underlying the clay layer is muscovite, quartz and kaolinite, which differs from that of clay. The age of underlaying brecciated limestone is Barremian, as indicated by dasyclad algae. Microfacies analysis of the same layer shows possible remains of paleosol and mm to cm-sized cracks that could be produced by plant roots (rhizoliths). It is classified as algal wackestone-packstone. Limestone above clay layer, classified as mudstone, is micritic and has cracks with geopetal infilling. Succession of deposits is made of shallowing-upward cycles and the clays indicate emersion. The origin of clay can not be determined unambiguously. Different mineral composition of clay and insoluble residue of the underlying limestone indicate that most likely clay is not derived from these limestones. The source of the clay could be volcanic dust, which could be transported by wind from very distant areas.

Istraživan je glinoviti sediment iz donjokrednih naslaga uz Veliko jezero na otoku Mljetu. Uzorci su analizirani rendgenskom difrakcijskom metodom. Utvrđeni su minerali glina (illit, vermikulit, kaolinit, klorit) te kvarc i kalcit. Mikropaleontološkom analizom vapnenaca ispod i iznad glinovitog sedimenta utvrđena je baremska starost. Slijed naslaga upućuje na ciklus oplićavanja naviše, a gline su najvjerojatnije emerzijski sloj. Porijeklo gline nije moguće točno utvrditi, najvjerojatnije je iz više različitih izvora.