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  11. The Timing And Spatiotemporal Patterning Of Neanderthal Disappearance.

The timing and spatiotemporal patterning of Neanderthal disappearance.

Tom Higham1, Katerina Douka1, Rachel Wood2

  • 1Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit, Research Laboratory for Archaeology &the History of Art, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK.

Nature
|August 22, 2014

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View abstract on PubMed

Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Neanderthal disappearance occurred across Europe between 41,030 and 39,260 years ago, overlapping with anatomically modern humans (AMHs) for up to 5,400 years, allowing for cultural and genetic exchange.

Area of Science:

  • Palaeoanthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Radiocarbon Dating

Background:

  • Understanding Neanderthal disappearance and overlap with anatomically modern humans (AMHs) is crucial for palaeoanthropology.
  • Previous radiocarbon dating limitations (around 50,000 years) hindered precise spatiotemporal analyses.
  • Key questions involve the processes, timing, and reasons for Neanderthal extinction and potential interactions with AMHs.

Observation:

  • Improved accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C techniques were applied to 40 Mousterian and Neanderthal archaeological sites across Eurasia.
  • Bayesian age modeling was employed to establish robust chronologies and determine latest appearance dates.
  • The study analyzed the timing of the end of the Mousterian and associated transitional industries, like the Châtelperronian.

Findings:

  • The Mousterian industry ended between 41,030 and 39,260 calibrated years BP across Europe.
  • Neanderthal disappearance varied regionally, not occurring simultaneously.
  • A significant temporal overlap between Neanderthals and the earliest AMHs (Uluzzian technocomplex) in Europe ranged from 2,600 to 5,400 years.

Implications:

  • The extended overlap suggests ample opportunity for cultural, symbolic, and genetic exchange between Neanderthals and AMHs.
  • This challenges models of rapid replacement and supports a more complex interaction scenario.
  • The findings provide crucial data for understanding the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition in Europe and the eventual replacement of Neanderthals.

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