prooiresten

Prooiresten, or prey remains, are the parts of prey animals that remain after predation. They commonly consist of bones, teeth, fur or feathers, hooves or horns, and fragments of soft tissue, and they may be found at hunting sites, dens, or along feeding trails.

In ecology, prooiresten are used to infer what predators eat, their hunting success, prey choice, and seasonal patterns. By analyzing the species represented and the condition of bones, researchers can estimate predator pressure on prey populations, preferences, and how predators use space. Remains can also indicate scavenging activity and the relative abundance of prey species in a given area.

In archaeology and paleontology, prooiresten at sites reveal interactions between humans and animals, such as hunting practices, butchery methods, and resource exploitation. Marks on bones may indicate tool use, cut marks, or carnivore processing, helping to reconstruct activity areas, diets, and subsistence strategies. The composition and context of remains can point to site function, whether as a hunting camp, discard area, or predator den.

Taphonomic processes shape what is preserved as prooiresten. Weathering, trampling, scavenging by other animals, digestion by predators, and water or wind transport all influence which elements survive. Analysts use zooarchaeological methods to identify species, determine age and sex when possible, and interpret bone modifications to distinguish predation from human activity.

Limitations include preservation bias and the difficulty of distinguishing overlapping evidence from different predators or humans. Despite these caveats, prooiresten remain a key source for understanding predator–prey dynamics and past human subsistence.