Multi-method dating reveals 200 ka of Middle Palaeolithic occupation at Maras rock shelter, Rhône Valley, France
PONS-BRANCHU, Edwige
Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement [Gif-sur-Yvette] [LSCE]
Géochrononologie Traceurs Archéométrie [GEOTRAC]
Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement [Gif-sur-Yvette] [LSCE]
Géochrononologie Traceurs Archéométrie [GEOTRAC]
HUBLIN, Jean-Jacques
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology [Leipzig]
Collège de France [CdF (institution)]
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Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology [Leipzig]
Collège de France [CdF (institution)]
Language
en
Article de revue
This item was published in
Scientific Reports. 2024-09-03, vol. 14, n° 1, p. 20474
Nature Publishing Group
English Abstract
The emergence of the Middle Palaeolithic, and its variability over time and space are key questions in the field of prehistoric archaeology. Many sites have been documented in the south-eastern margins of the Massif central ...Read more >
The emergence of the Middle Palaeolithic, and its variability over time and space are key questions in the field of prehistoric archaeology. Many sites have been documented in the south-eastern margins of the Massif central and the middle Rhône valley, a migration path that connects Northern Europe with the Mediterranean. Well-dated, long stratigraphic sequences are essential to understand Neanderthals dynamics and demise, and potential interactions with Homo sapiens in the area, such as the one displayed at the Maras rock shelter (“Abri du Maras”). The site is characterised by exceptional preservation of archaeological remains, including bones dated using radiocarbon ( 14 C) and teeth using electron spin resonance combined with uranium series (ESR/U-series). Optically stimulated luminescence was used to date the sedimentary deposits. By combining the new ages with previous ones using Bayesian modelling, we are able to clarify the occupation time over a period spanning 200,000 years. Between ca. 250 and 40 ka, the site has been used as a long-term residence by Neanderthals, specifically during three interglacial periods: first during marine isotopic stage (MIS) 7, between 247 ± 34 and 223 ± 33 ka, and then recurrently during MIS 5 (between 127 ± 17 and 90 ± 9 ka) and MIS 3 (up to 39,280 cal BP).Read less <
English Keywords
Chronology
Neanderthal
Luminescence
Radiocarbon
Electron spin resonance
Uranium-series
Bayesian modelling
ZooMS
Origin
Hal importedCollections