Kill site database: A unified dataset on human-megafauna interactions across time and space

Area of Science:

• Paleontology
• Archaeology
• Quaternary Science

Background:

• Human-megafauna interactions are crucial for understanding prehistoric subsistence strategies and ecological impacts.
• Previous research has identified numerous archaeological sites with evidence of megafauna exploitation, but a consolidated database is lacking.
• South America presents a unique case study for examining these interactions due to its rich megafauna fossil record and early human presence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review and compile empirical evidence on human-megafauna interaction in South America.
• To establish a comprehensive database of megafauna kill sites and exploited taxa based on scientific literature.
• To provide a classification framework for megafauna kill sites using established protocols.

Main Methods:

• Compilation of 134 publications related to human-megafauna interaction.
• Identification and classification of 69 archaeological sites with evidence of human-megafauna interaction.
• Application of restrictive criteria (Grayson and Meltzer, Borrero, Mothé et al.) to classify up to 17 megafauna kill sites.

Main Results:

• The database includes 69 sites with human-megafauna interaction, 44 with minimum association, and up to 17 classified kill sites.
• Up to 15 extinct megafauna taxa exploited by humans were identified.
• Current taxonomic classifications of exploited extinct megafauna are provided.

Conclusions:

• The compiled database offers a critical review of empirical evidence on megafauna exploitation by humans in South America.
• This resource is valuable for understanding human-megafauna interactions during the late Quaternary.
• An online repository (www.killsitedatabase.com) is established to unify global data on megafauna kill sites.