Abstract
Estimating past changes in the ranges of human species over time is an essential precursor for assessing the relative contribution of potential, underlying ecological drivers of these changes. Neanderthal (Homo neanderthalensis) is the most-studied
extinct human species, but despite an abundance of dated archaeological specimens indicating the species’ presence over millennia, the regional timing and main causes of their local and global extinctions remain uncertain. This uncertainty arises from both the spatial heterogeneity of recorded remains and widespread chronological inconsistencies. To infer the distribution of Neanderthals, we describe how to incorporate and account for data uncertainties and biases from the site to the continental scale. A more holistic approach can therefore enable large archaeological and geochronological datasets to be processed for modelling complex spatiotemporal dynamics, and highlights the potential for big-data analyses in spatial archaeology describing human evolution.
extinct human species, but despite an abundance of dated archaeological specimens indicating the species’ presence over millennia, the regional timing and main causes of their local and global extinctions remain uncertain. This uncertainty arises from both the spatial heterogeneity of recorded remains and widespread chronological inconsistencies. To infer the distribution of Neanderthals, we describe how to incorporate and account for data uncertainties and biases from the site to the continental scale. A more holistic approach can therefore enable large archaeological and geochronological datasets to be processed for modelling complex spatiotemporal dynamics, and highlights the potential for big-data analyses in spatial archaeology describing human evolution.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Dynamiques des peuplements, des territoires et des paysages Bilan et perspectives en archéologie spatiale, hommages à Jean-Luc Fiches |
| Subtitle of host publication | 42es rencontres internationales d’archéologie et d’histoire – Nice Côte d’Azur |
| Editors | Frédérique Bertoncello, Marie-Jeanne Ouriachi, Laure Nuninger, François Favory |
| Place of Publication | Nice, France |
| Publisher | Éditions APDCA |
| Chapter | 42 |
| Pages | 153-166 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Nov 2023 |
| Event | Dynamiques des peuplements, des territoires et des paysages Bilan et perspectives en archéologie spatiale, hommages à Jean-Luc Fiches: Settlement, territory and landscape dynamics: Assessment and prospects in spatial archaeology, tribute to Jean-Luc Fiches - Nice, France Duration: 12 Oct 2022 → 14 Oct 2022 |
Conference
| Conference | Dynamiques des peuplements, des territoires et des paysages Bilan et perspectives en archéologie spatiale, hommages à Jean-Luc Fiches |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | France |
| Period | 12/10/22 → 14/10/22 |
Keywords
- Neanderthal
- spatial analysis
- dating uncertainty
- Europe
- range shift
- extinction