According to a study of lithic artifacts at multiple sites, there were three waves of Homo sapiens migrations into Europe starting around 54,000 years ago. The first wave is indicated by light standardized points that are thought to have given our ancestors an advantage over Neanderthals. According to the researchers, this stone tool industry has been given varying labels since they show up in distant locations (âInitial Upper Paleolithicâ in the Levant, âNeronianâ in France, âBohunicianâ in eastern Europe), but they actually appear to be one and the same, showing that it was a wave of sapiens migration. This first wave didnât last long; at Mandrin Cave in France, for example, it only lasted about 40 years. The Mandrin âcolonyâ probably tried to mix with the local Neanderthals, but according to Ludovic Slimak, âMy guess would be the two populations were so divergent that the fertility was very partial, and in the first two waves the attempt to build social networks with the locals didnât work out.â The second wave occurred 45,000 years ago, when the Initial Upper Paleolithic industry produced two-sided points at sites like Ksar Akil in Lebanon, which were also found in France and Spain. The researchers believe these to be sapiens sites, which is controversial, as most believe them to be Neanderthal sites. The paper has therefore met some pushback. The third and final wave took place 42,000 years ago. This was a time when sapiens spread all over Europe, and Neanderthals declined. From this wave, came the famous Aurignacian industry. Not everyone is convinced, however. According to Yossi Zaidner, âAlthough the similarities between stone tools are clear, it is always difficult to draw direct parallels and suggest migrations on the basis of lithic data alone â especially given the absence of similar sites between the Levant and western Europe. Cultural convergence could be another explanation here.â Regardless, fascinating stuff. Iâll end with a quick note: The beginning of this article pushes pretty hard on a sapiens-battling-Neanderthals-for-control-of-Europe narrative. That makes sense when looking at the past through the lens of present-day politics, but I donât believe the archaeology supports it. And this paper doesnât support it either: âWith the social and technological efficiency of Homo sapiens you didnât even need any conflict to create an imbalance that would ultimately lead to the disappearance of the Neanderthals.âwerenât many more humans alive on the entire planet! Point being, Iâm really, really excited about this milestone!
đ§ Ancient Beat #59: Bent swords, megalithic hypogea, and wave after wave of Homo sapiens migrations
đ§ Ancient Beat #59: Bent swords, megalithicâŠ
đ§ Ancient Beat #59: Bent swords, megalithic hypogea, and wave after wave of Homo sapiens migrations
According to a study of lithic artifacts at multiple sites, there were three waves of Homo sapiens migrations into Europe starting around 54,000 years ago. The first wave is indicated by light standardized points that are thought to have given our ancestors an advantage over Neanderthals. According to the researchers, this stone tool industry has been given varying labels since they show up in distant locations (âInitial Upper Paleolithicâ in the Levant, âNeronianâ in France, âBohunicianâ in eastern Europe), but they actually appear to be one and the same, showing that it was a wave of sapiens migration. This first wave didnât last long; at Mandrin Cave in France, for example, it only lasted about 40 years. The Mandrin âcolonyâ probably tried to mix with the local Neanderthals, but according to Ludovic Slimak, âMy guess would be the two populations were so divergent that the fertility was very partial, and in the first two waves the attempt to build social networks with the locals didnât work out.â The second wave occurred 45,000 years ago, when the Initial Upper Paleolithic industry produced two-sided points at sites like Ksar Akil in Lebanon, which were also found in France and Spain. The researchers believe these to be sapiens sites, which is controversial, as most believe them to be Neanderthal sites. The paper has therefore met some pushback. The third and final wave took place 42,000 years ago. This was a time when sapiens spread all over Europe, and Neanderthals declined. From this wave, came the famous Aurignacian industry. Not everyone is convinced, however. According to Yossi Zaidner, âAlthough the similarities between stone tools are clear, it is always difficult to draw direct parallels and suggest migrations on the basis of lithic data alone â especially given the absence of similar sites between the Levant and western Europe. Cultural convergence could be another explanation here.â Regardless, fascinating stuff. Iâll end with a quick note: The beginning of this article pushes pretty hard on a sapiens-battling-Neanderthals-for-control-of-Europe narrative. That makes sense when looking at the past through the lens of present-day politics, but I donât believe the archaeology supports it. And this paper doesnât support it either: âWith the social and technological efficiency of Homo sapiens you didnât even need any conflict to create an imbalance that would ultimately lead to the disappearance of the Neanderthals.âwerenât many more humans alive on the entire planet! Point being, Iâm really, really excited about this milestone!