Neanderthal coexistence with Homo sapiens in Europe was affected by herbivore carrying capacity

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(38)

Published: Sept. 22, 2023

It has been proposed that climate change and the arrival of modern humans in Europe affected disappearance Neanderthals due to their impact on trophic resources; however, it remained challenging quantify effect these factors. By using Bayesian age models derive chronology European Middle Upper Paleolithic transition, followed by a dynamic vegetation model provides Net Primary Productivity, macroecological compute herbivore abundance, we show continental regions where ecosystem productivity was low or unstable, disappeared before just after Homo sapiens . In contrast, with high stable witnessed prolonged coexistence between both species. The temporal overlap H. is significantly correlated carrying capacity small- medium-sized herbivores. These results suggest abundance released pressure secondary consumers guild, which likelihood human

Language: Английский

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Climatic variability in the Armenian Highlands as the backdrop to hominin population dynamics 50–25 ka

Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 648, P. 112285 - 112285

Published: May 26, 2024

The impact of Late Pleistocene climatic oscillations, volcanism and the diverse terrain Armenian Highlands affected hominin population dynamics movements through region. To test different scenarios for period 50–25 ka regarding expansion, adaptive response, intra-population interactions extinction, we need local on-site paleoclimatic data found in association with occupations. However, this approach has been hampered by dearth highly uneven spatiotemporal recovery from prehistoric sites across In study, analyze multiple assemblages fossil micromammals Middle Paleolithic (LMP) Lusakert-1 rockshelter (two fossil-yielding strata; <55 ka) Early Upper (EUP) Aghitu-3 Cave (four ∼39–24 using geometric morphometric-aided taxonomy, to quantify representation species among abundant arvicoline genera (Microtus Chionomys; mean = 58% assemblages). We combined quantitative species-level reconstructions (Bioclimatic Model; 14 rodent taxa) determine changes habitat composition as well temperature precipitation shifts during Middle–Early Paleolithic. Taphonomic analysis was conducted establish isotaphonomy assemblages. shows higher than present-day absolute temperatures series occupations at both Aghitu-3, making it unlikely that activity coincided extreme cold-climate phases. A multivariate comparison taxonomic abundances (genus level) a wider sample regional (MP) (UP) cave (Hovk-1, Kudaro-1, Mezmaiskaya, Satsurblia Dzudzuana) indicates possibility cold-period occupation only two sites, Mezmaiskaya Layers 3 2 Kudaro-1 Layer 3. surmise manufacturers LMP lithic industries Caucasus were adapted these challenging environments, thus undermining arguments rapid climate change LMP/EUP could alone have determined course

Language: Английский

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Nobody’s land? The oldest evidence of early Upper Paleolithic settlements in inland Iberia

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 10(26)

Published: June 26, 2024

The Iberian Peninsula is a key region for unraveling human settlement histories of Eurasia during the period spanning decline Neandertals and emergence anatomically modern humans (AMH). There no evidence occupation in central Iberia after disappearance ~42,000 years ago until approximately 26,000 ago, rendering "nobody's land" Aurignacian period. Abrigo de la Malia provides irrefutable settlements dating back to 36,200 31,760 calibrated before present (cal B.P.) This site also records additional levels around 32,420 26,260 cal B.P., suggesting repeated this territory. Our multiproxy examination identifies change climate trending toward colder more arid conditions. However, climatic deterioration does not appear have affected AMH subsistence strategies or their capacity inhabit region. These findings reveal ability groups colonize regions hitherto considered uninhabitable, reopening debate on early Upper Paleolithic population dynamics southwestern Europe.

Language: Английский

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Late Pleistocene Neanderthal exploitation of stable and mosaic ecosystems in northern Iberia shown by multi-isotope evidence

Quaternary Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 116, P. 108 - 132

Published: July 17, 2023

Abstract During the last glacial period, rapidly changing environments posed substantial challenges to Neanderthal populations in Europe. Southern continental regions, such as Iberia, have been proposed important climatic “buffer” zones during phases. Contextualising and ecological conditions Neanderthals faced is relevant interpreting their resilience. However, records of ecosystems they exploited across Iberia exhibit temporal spatial gaps coverage. Here we provide new evidence for palaeotemperatures, vegetation structure, prey herbivore ecology late Pleistocene (MIS 5–3) northern Spain, by applying multiple stable isotope tracers ( δ 18 O, 13 C, 15 N, 34 S) skeletal remains associated with occupations at Axlor Cave, Bizkaia. The results show little change over time indicate different occupations. Large within-layer isotopic variability nitrogen sulphur suggests presence a mosaic environment variety ecotones that were prey. We implement combination carbonate phosphate O measurements estimate palaeotemperatures using cost-effective workflow. targeted use anchor summer peak winter trough areas enables high-precision seasonal palaeoclimatic reconstructions.

Language: Английский

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MIS5-MIS3 Neanderthal occupations at Amalda III cave (Northern Iberian Peninsula)

Quaternary Science Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 333, P. 108666 - 108666

Published: April 27, 2024

Language: Английский

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Aurignacian groups at Isturitz (France) adapted to a shifting environment upon their arrival in Western Europe ∼42,000 years ago

Journal of Human Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 202, P. 103665 - 103665

Published: April 7, 2025

The Marine Isotope Stage 3 is a context of considerable climatic instability. Establishing the link between global climate changes and their impact on local ecological contexts prey exploited by human populations challenging. Still, it necessary to understand better conditions where humans lived unravel how they adapted fluctuating environmental conditions. Here, we address this question studying 250 osteodental elements from animals hunted consumed groups at Isturitz, rich well-documented French archaeological site one earliest in Western Europe Aurignacian technoculture has been attested. To do so, set up multiproxy approach (archaeozoology, three-dimensional dental microwear texture analyses, stable isotopic analyses δ18O δ13C enamel bioapatite δ13C, δ15N, δ34S bone collagen) that informs us timeline first years last few days an animal's life. We reconstructed ecologies paleoenvironments during different phases Isturitz. Our findings indicate occupations Isturitz occurred under cold arid conditions, rapidly becoming even cooler drier. Limited are observed human-environment-prey relationship despite unstable significant rainfall, temperature, gradual opening environments some faunal assemblage occurred. suggest similar territories utilized comparable strategies throughout temporal sequence. approach, combining complementary provides understanding adaptation when Upper Paleolithic were emerging Europe.

Language: Английский

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Landscape and subsistence in NW Iberia during the Middle Palaeolithic (MIS3): Faunal analysis of Cova Eirós (Triacastela, Galicia, Spain)

Journal of Archaeological Science Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 64, P. 105149 - 105149

Published: April 17, 2025

Language: Английский

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Implications of population changes among the Arvicolinae (Rodentia, Mammalia) in El Mirón Cave (Cantabria, Spain) for the climate of the last c. 50,000 years

Quaternary Science Reviews, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 315, P. 108234 - 108234

Published: July 27, 2023

The El Mirón Cave site in Spain has one of the most complete archaeological and palaeontological records Late Pleistocene Iberian Peninsula, encompassing last c. 50,000 years. Among other studies, fossiliferous record allowed development various interpretations faunal climatic changes during this period time northern Atlantic region Peninsula. addition more radiocarbon dates from make it possible to revise some micromammal sequence carried out earlier for major site. small mammals is used tools study climate past, among them several Arvicolinae species are great importance Quaternary variations, due their adaptations a diversity habitats. New methodologies such as ancient DNA geometric morphometric analyses now permit us conduct review previously described at better differentiate between with similar morphologies, like Microtus arvalis M. agrestis. We also identified presence not recorded before Mirón, Terricola pyrenaicus. With associations, we reaffirm variations originally deposit, indicating detail how successive temperature environment took place throughout course late Last Glacial early Postglacial periods (Marine Isotope Stages 3–1).

Language: Английский

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Neanderthal resilience and adaptability: insights from the Abric Pizarro faunal assemblage during the MIS 4

Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3

Published: May 9, 2024

The examination of faunal assemblages through zooarchaeological analyses constitutes a fundamental approach for gaining insight into the intricate behaviours Neanderthals. Previous investigations have primarily focused on periods relative environmental stability, and this has provided wealth relevant archaeological data. However, our understanding Neanderthal resilience during MIS 4, period presumably characterised by harsh conditions, remains limited. This study presents first comprehensive analysis from Levels M P at Abric Pizarro. geographic location Pizarro in southeast Pre-Pyrenees, combined with chronometric dating, offers unique opportunity to explore poorly known chronological period. detailed comprised taxonomic identification, taphonomic age-at-death profiling adaptability flexibility diet. findings indicate that groups incorporated diverse range protein resources small herbivores (e.g., caprids) very large Bos/Bison). These results not only demonstrate an changing environments area traditionally deemed unsuitable long-term occupation, but also contributes significantly complex exhibited

Language: Английский

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Coastal and Inland subsistence strategies during the Gravettian in the Cantabrian Region (northern Iberian Peninsula)

Quaternary Science Advances, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 12, P. 100106 - 100106

Published: July 20, 2023

The Gravettian site of Fuente del Salín Cave is located in the northern Iberian Peninsula (Cantabrian Region, Spain). In 2016, excavations conducted at yielded numerous faunal remains, including mammals and fish. Researchers also recovered molluscs remains during 1990, 1991, 2000 campaigns. This study presents results archaeozoological taphonomical analyses large fish these excavations. At Cave, a high level bone fragmentation presence burning damage characterizes assemblage. Taxonomy game shows diverse habitat exploitation, such as coastal valleys plains (red deer, Cervus elaphus; horse, Equus ferus) well rocky landscapes (Iberian ibex, Capra pyrenaica; chamois, Rupicapra rupicapra). Additionally, show salmonids (Salmo sp.), cyprinids, haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), indicating exploitation coastal, demersal, riverine species. taphonomic analysis revealed concentrated on axial elements epiphyses, characterized by temperatures typical carbonization or calcification. scarcity carnivore gnawing marks butchering prove that humans were main accumulators Cave. Concerning fish, most correspond to spines, branchial ribs, vertebrae, processed removing for consumption. Based our results, provides an essential record subsistence strategies inhabitants Cantabrian Region Gravettian.

Language: Английский

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