Pages: 137-168

The article describes fossil reindeers from main Palaeolithic sites of Moldova: Duruitoarea Veche, Brynzeni 1, Rascov 7, and Cosauti. Biometrical and statistical analyses of osteological remains revealed presence of several different forms of reindeer: a larger ancient woodland form Rangifer tarandus ssp. from Duruitoarea Veche and Brynzeni 1, a smaller younger form with comparatively small teeth Rangifer tarandus cf. guettardi from Rascov 7, which superficially resembles Upper Palaeolithic reindeer from Western Europe, and Rangifer tarandus constantini with very large cheek teeth similar to Upper Palaeolithic reindeer from Baikal Area and Russian Plain. The author discusses the ecology, systematics and evolution of the Upper Palaeolithic reindeer, as well as the demographic composition of osteological remains from the archaeological sites included in the study.

Keywords: Late Pleistocene, Reindeer, Rangifer tarandus, Systematics, Evolution, Ecology

Information about author: 

Roman Croitor (Kishinev, Moldova). Doctor of Biology. Cultural Heritage Institute, Moldova Academy of Sciences.
E-mail: [email protected]