Neo-taphonomic analysis of the Misiam leopard lair

The data set presented here contains the MAU% data for the selected hyena-made and leopard-made faunal assemblages with which the Misiam assemblage is compared. Misiam is a recently discovered modern faunal accumulation found at Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania) interpreted as a palimpsest resulting from the action of leopards (main transporting agents) and hyenas (secondary scavengers). It is the first open-air reported leopard-made faunal accumulation. Defining the anatomical and taphonomic characteristics of such an assembllage is important for the interpretation of prehistoric faunal assemblages created by carnivores. It is also relevant for modern ecological studies. In this particular case, the bulk of the assemblage is composed of wildebeests. This is usually not the target of leopards; however, their seasonal abundance during the wildebeest migration on the plains adjacent to Olduvai Gorge prompts this rather exceptional highly-specialized behavior by usually eclectic leopards. In the present work, a thorough taphonomic analysis is carried out and the main taxonomic, anatomical and taphonomic characteristics of this felid-hyenic modified assemblage is decribed. The analytical approach adopted uses the data presented here.