Using cross-sectional geometry (CSG), entheseal changes (ECs), and presence of external auditory meatus exostosis (EAE), this study tests the hypothesis—based on isotopic and zooarchaeological evidence—that in the Sicilian Mesolithic terrestrial rather than marine resources were predominantly exploited, in substantial continuity with previous Epigravettian hunters. Results show similarities in the general frequency of ECs—a rough proxy for overall activity—with Late Pleistocene hunters, in contrast with Mesolithic coastal foragers or Neolithic herders/farmers. Yet, CSG suggests that this possible continuity in the type of resources exploited was accompanied by a behavioral change, and in particular the abandonment of the throwing technology, possibly in favor of new tools such as traps and the bow and arrow. In fact, the dramatic decrease in humeral bilateral asymmetry documented at a European level with the Pleistocene-Holocene transition can be found also in the Sicilian Mesolithic. Results for the lower limb appear compatible with a certain degree of terrestrial mobility in a rugged environment. The frequency of EAE suggests that activities related to water were present but not common; however, their prominence is difficult to determine given the small sample size. The pattern of information provided by the proxies for activity used here is complex and partially contrasting, but has the potential to integrate and enrich archeological methods and biochemical approaches. This study corroborates a varied scenario of continuity and discontinuity in subsistence at the Pleistocene-Holocene transition, and highlights the importance of a regional bioarchaeological approach of human biological and behavioral adaptations.

中文翻译：

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从横截面几何形状和围封变化推断出西西里中石器时代的生存模式

利用同位素几何和动物考古学证据，本研究使用横截面几何形状（CSG），肠壁变化（ECs）和外部听觉耳道骨外生（EAE）的存在，检验了这一假设：在西西里中石器时代的陆地而非海洋资源是主要与先前的Epigravettian猎人一起被充分利用。结果表明，与中更新世的沿海觅食者或新石器时代的牧民/农民相比，晚期更新世的猎人在EC的总体频率（总体活动的大致代表）上具有相似性。但是，CSG认为，所利用资源类型的这种可能的连续性伴随着行为的改变，尤其是抛掷技术的放弃，可能倾向于使用陷阱和弓箭之类的新工具。事实上，在欧洲，随着更新世-全新世过渡，肱骨双侧不对称性显着下降，也见于西西里中石器时代。在崎的环境中，下肢的结果似乎与一定程度的陆地活动性相吻合。EAE的频率表明存在与水有关的活动，但并不普遍。然而，鉴于样本量小，很难确定它们的重要性。这里使用的活动代理所提供的信息模式是复杂且部分相反的，但具有整合和丰富考古方法和生化方法的潜力。这项研究证实了更新世-全新世过渡中生存的连续性和不连续性的各种情况，