Accounting for uncertainties when mapping past species range shifts. The case of Neanderthals

Fiona Laviano, Frederik Saltre, Lee J. Arnold, Corey J. A. Bradshaw

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

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.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationDynamiques des peuplements, des territoires et des paysages Bilan et perspectives en archéologie spatiale, hommages à Jean-Luc Fiches
Subtitle of host publication42es rencontres internationales d’archéologie et d’histoire – Nice Côte d’Azur
EditorsFrédérique Bertoncello, Marie-Jeanne Ouriachi, Laure Nuninger, François Favory
Place of PublicationNice, France
PublisherÉditions APDCA
Chapter42
Pages153-166
Number of pages14
Publication statusPublished - 15 Nov 2023
EventDynamiques 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 202214 Oct 2022

Conference

ConferenceDynamiques des peuplements, des territoires et des paysages Bilan et perspectives en archéologie spatiale, hommages à Jean-Luc Fiches
Country/TerritoryFrance
Period12/10/2214/10/22

Keywords

  • Neanderthal
  • spatial analysis
  • dating uncertainty
  • Europe
  • range shift
  • extinction

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