Comments on ‘Hyaenids, felids and canids as bone accumulators: Does the natural history of extant species support zooarchaeological inferences?’, by Palomares et al. [Quat. Sci. Rev. 284 (2022) 107459]

In a recent review paper, Palomares et al. (2022) questioned whether the current behaviour of some carnivorous mammals supports zooarchaeological interpretations of the origin and authorship of certain fossil accumulations in Quaternary sites, concluding that it is questionable. The authors develop classical approach based on actualism to interpret the fossil record but commit some inaccuracies in analogical reasoning, overlook the complexity of taphonomic pathways and the fact that the process of fossil accumulation and assemblage formation is time-dependent. This comment concerns only Lynx pardinus as a taphonomic agent. Based on observations of the fossil record, experimental works in captivity, actualistic work in the wild, and information derived from the current behaviour of the species, I argue that the Iberian lynx should be seriously considered as a relevant taphonomic agent, especially in karstic contexts.