This book systematically examines an animal bone assemblage to discover horizontal spatial patterning. There is much evidence to support the long-held notion that the cave was primarily a hibernation den for the extinct cave bear (Ursus spelaeus).
Dr. Gargett's taphonomic study provides fresh insight by arguing that there is also good evidence that the carcasses of bears dying during hibernation had been scavenged by wolves, and to a lesser extent hyenas. The spatial analysis reveals clear, non-random spatial patterns that can be interpreted as the result of habitual behaviours on the part of these animals--bears creating places to hibernate according to their habits, and scavenging carnivores utilising carcasses in patterned ways. Thus, non-human animals can create spatial patterns in the absence of culture or modern human cognitive abilities.
Because of the new ambiguity this research introduces, ways must be sought to get beyond the behaviours that create patterning, and to model instead the cognitive processes that motivate behaviour. Dr. Gargett suggests that an effort must therefore be made to identify archaeological spatial patterns that can only result from modern human cognitive processes to help resolve questions about the origins of modern humans.