After a long period of cold conditions that characterize the Saalian Glacial in Europe, Neandertals were confronted with the warm and more forested environments of the Eemian Interglacial (125-115... Show moreAfter a long period of cold conditions that characterize the Saalian Glacial in Europe, Neandertals were confronted with the warm and more forested environments of the Eemian Interglacial (125-115,000 years ago). We do know that they were present in these environments, but the number of known sites and the size of their assemblages is relatively limited. The Eemian deposits of Neumark-Nord 2 (eastern Germany) yielded the unique opportunity for a detailed analysis of Neandertal behaviour within its environmental context. The reconstructed environmental conditions give us a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities that Neandertals faced, and, together with data from other Eemian sites, provided indications for their environmental preferences. How Neandertals dealt with these environmental conditions is also reflected in the archaeological record, which has been addressed by a detailed analysis of the flint tool assemblage as well as the proxies for hominin use of fire at the site. Show less
One of the key periods to understand the Neandertal ecological niche and tolerances in Europe is the Eemian. This interglacial stage is the last and best documented interglacial stage in which... Show moreOne of the key periods to understand the Neandertal ecological niche and tolerances in Europe is the Eemian. This interglacial stage is the last and best documented interglacial stage in which Neandertals were present in Europe. This study aims to contribute to the debate on Neandertal environmental tolerances of this period in Europe by improving our knowledge of the timing of Neandertal occupation. In order to further specify the timing and character of this occupation, detailed palaeomagnetic and environmental studies were carried out at the interglacial sites of Neumark Nord 2 (Germany), Rutten (The Netherlands), and Caours (France). For the Last Interglacial, a global stratigraphic marker has been documented, the so-called Blake Event. This palaeomagnetic event is recorded in both marine and terrestrial sediments and has been found in settings which allow direct correlation with the Marine Isotope Stage record. Our palaeomagnetic studies at Neumark Nord 2, Rutten and Caours have provided a strong indication for the presence of a palaeomagnetic event which we have identified as the Blake. We were able to correlate this Blake Event to the pollenzones of the Eemian sensu stricto at Rutten and at Neumark Nord 2. The observed position of the Blake Event in relation to the Eemian in north western and central Europe supports a time lag of 5000 years between the onset of the Eemian in the south and the northern-central parts of Europe. This result has consequences for views of the chronological and geographical limits of the Neanderthal range. As an example, our correlation indicates that both Neumark Nord 2 and Caours were occupied well after the MIS 5e global high sea level stand. This implies that during these occupations, easy access to the British Isles was blocked by the fully developed English Channel, possibly explaining the absence of hominins in what is now Great Britain at that period Show less
