Middle Paleolithic subsistence in the central Rhine Valley

Excavations in the central Rhine Valley provide evidence for diversified subsistence practices during the Middle Paleolithic. The present research strategy targets thick, fine-grained sedimentary sequences which allow the recovery of much contextual information and provide excellent prospects for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Thus far, examples of monospecifïc exploitation of horse and bovid have been documented at Tönchesberg and Wallertheim, and examples of diversified faunal assemblages with bovids, equids and cervids well-represented have been documented at Tonchesberg. Current excavations in Wallertheim show considerable promise for reconstructing Middle Paleolithic subsistence, but results must await the
completion of the excavation.