Abstract Early sites along the Dead Sea Transform (southern Levant), among them the Erq el Ahmar Elephant Site, are key points in understanding hominin and mammal migration out of Africa and into Eurasia. The late Prof. Tchernov had begun an intensive campaign to expose the faunal remains at the site, but unfortunately was unable to conclude his study. Based on interim reports and geomorphological descriptions, we were aware of numerous elephant remains found and left in situ. The Erq el Ahmar Elephant Site is a controversial site. There are those who see it as the earliest Pleistocene hominin site in the area, while others consider it a paleontological site without any hominin involvement. We returned to the site to try to resolve this controversy. In a systematic excavation, we succeeded in exposing the previously uncovered elements, exposed more material and currently better understand the deposition sequence. However, the task was very challenging, since the skeletal elements were very fragile and required careful exposure and conservation, both in situ and in the laboratory, before they could be studied. A series of elements were found partially superimposed. Several elements of the skull, an almost complete tusk, vertebrae, ribs, a scapula and limb bones were found. Mammoth diagnostic traits were identified in the teeth and tusk. However, very few skeletons of early mammoths are known from the region. Have we exposed the most complete Mammuthus rumanus skeleton? Tooth microwear indicates leaf-browsing dietary traits, similar to that of other M. rumanus of this period. In addition, the recent excavations have revealed the potential of the site in understanding the evolution and dispersal of proboscidean species out of Africa during the Plio-Pleistocene, adding another focal point to the southern Levant along this route.

中文翻译：

---

Erq el Ahmar 大象遗址——位于非洲哺乳动物迁徙路线沿线的一个罕见且有争议的上新世-更新世遗址的猛犸象骨架

摘要 死海转型（黎凡特南部）沿线的早期遗址，其中包括 Erq el Ahmar 大象遗址，是了解人类和哺乳动物从非洲迁移到欧亚大陆的关键点。已故的 Tchernov 教授已经开始了一项密集的运动，以揭露该遗址的动物遗骸，但不幸的是无法完成他的研究。根据中期报告和地貌描述，我们了解到发现并留在原地的大量大象遗骸。Erq el Ahmar 大象遗址是一个有争议的遗址。有些人认为它是该地区最早的更新世人类遗址，而另一些人则认为它是一个古生物学遗址，没有任何人类参与。我们返回站点以尝试解决此争议。在系统的挖掘中，我们成功地暴露了之前未发现的元素，暴露更多材料，目前更好地了解沉积顺序。然而，这项任务非常具有挑战性，因为骨骼元素非常脆弱，需要在原位和实验室中仔细暴露和保护，然后才能进行研究。发现一系列元素部分叠加。发现了头骨的几个元素，几乎完整的象牙、椎骨、肋骨、肩胛骨和四肢骨骼。在牙齿和象牙中发现了猛犸象的诊断特征。然而，该地区已知的早期猛犸象的骨骼很少。我们暴露了最完整的猛犸象骨架吗？牙齿微磨损表明叶片浏览饮食特征，类似于这一时期的其他瘤胃分枝杆菌。此外，