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The transition from a Europe dominated by Neanderthals to a world where Homo sapiens became the sole human species is one of the most intriguing periods in evolutionary history. The exact reasons for the Neanderthals’ disappearance remain unclear, and there’s also a lack of detailed information about how they coexisted with modern humans.
However, a team of international researchers has found clues about this coexistence.
The Arlanzian. Researchers recently uncovered evidence of a previously unnoticed culture: the Arlanzian. The team published its findings in Scientific Reports.
The name “Arlanzian” is derived from the Arlanza River, which flows through a valley in Northern Spain. The research team found clues of the Arlanzian culture at Cueva Millán, one of the caves in the region where Neanderthal remains had previously been discovered.
The period associated with the Arlanzian corresponds to the transition between the Middle and Upper Paleolithic, about 50,000 to 40,000 years ago. This timeframe coincides with another significant shift: the disappearance of Neanderthals from the European continent and the rise of modern humans.
New timeframe. Until now, evidence suggested that the transition to the first Upper Paleolithic cultures (the Aurignacian and Châtelperronian) occurred between 43,000 and 40,000 years ago. Experts believed the Mousterian culture, typically associated with the Middle Paleolithic, had disappeared between 45,000 and 37,000 years ago.
However, discoveries at the Spanish cave prompt researchers to push back the timeline. New findings indicate the existence of a Middle Paleolithic culture that predates the Aurignacian and Châtelperronian cultures. The research team believes it dated between 43,000 and 40,000 years ago.
A unique combination. The team explains that the artifacts discovered at Cueva Millán, along with techniques used to produce them, allow for the identification of a new culture. The Arlanzian culture is defined by the standardized production of small stone projectiles used for hunting.
Unsolved mysteries. The transition from the Middle to the Upper Paleolithic is traditionally marked by the arrival of Sapiens. However, the team suggests that this might be more complex than previously thought.
Researchers indicate that the Spanish site can’t be definitively associated with either species. This raises the possibility that Neanderthals may have adopted techniques and tools typical of Homo sapiens. However, definitive evidence is still missing.
Species transition. The evidence found at Cueva Millán could provide insight into the transition and coexistence of humans and Neanderthals in the Iberian Peninsula. Researchers have long known that the coexistence of these species left a genetic imprint that’s still present in modern humans.
Image | Tim Oun
Related | Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens Tried to Mate for Thousands of Years. Genetics Had Other Ideas
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