Middle Palaeolithic remains of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus Linnaeus, 1758) from Biśnik Cave and other cave localities from Poland

Reindeer remains (Rangifer tarandus, Linnaeus 1758) from Middle Palaeolithic layers of Biśnik Cave were morphometrically analysed and compared to other cave localities of Europe and Asia. The measurements differed among the layers dated as MIS 7–MIS 3. Slight differences were observed between the remains from Biśnik, and those from the remaining cave localities of Poland. Comparison with the other localities of Eurasia showed that the reindeer from Poland were considerably larger than those from the western areas (except Romain-la-Roche in France), and smaller than those from the east. The antler analysis indicates that almost exclusively females are present in the material. The degree of wear of M1 indicates adults, aged 4–10 years.