Hominins likely occupied northern Europe before one million years ago |
| |
Authors: | Alastair Key Nick Ashton |
| |
Institution: | 1. Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK;2. British Museum, Department of Britain, Europe and Prehistory, London, UK |
| |
Abstract: | Our understanding of when hominins first reached northern Europe is dependent on a fragmented archaeological and fossil record known from as early as marine isotope stage (MIS) 21 or 25 (c. 840 or 950 thousand years ago Ka]). This contrasts sharply with southern Europe, where hominin occupation is evidenced from MIS 37 to 45 (c. 1.22 or 1.39 million years ago Ma]). Northern Europe, however, exhibits climatic, geological, demographic, and historical disadvantages when it comes to preserving fossil and archaeological evidence of early hominin habitation. It is argued here that perceived differences in first occupation timings between the two European regions needs to be revised in light of these factors. To enhance this understanding, optimal linear estimation models are run using data from the current fossil and artefact record. Results suggest northern Europe to have first been occupied as early as 1.16 Ma, or as late as 913 Ka. These timings could represent minimum date expectations and be extended through future archaeological and fossil discoveries. |
| |
Keywords: | early human dispersal early pleistocene hominin demography Lower Palaeolithic modelling optimal linear estimation temporal range estimation |
|
|