Solving the puzzle of neanderthal occupations: a reassessment of temporal indicators of occupation duration

IF 2.1 2区地球科学 Q1 ANTHROPOLOGY

Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences Pub Date : 2025-02-15 DOI:10.1007/s12520-025-02163-0

Valentina Lubrano, Anna Rufà, Ruth Blasco, Florent Rivals, Jordi Rosell

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Abstract

The identification of the duration of Neanderthal occupations is a tricky topic by the palimpsest nature of archaeological assemblages. This study explores the challenges associated with distinguishing between long and short-term occupations, using qualitative and quantitative data from relevant archaeological sites in the Late Middle Palaeolithic in Spain and south-eastern France. We highlight the proposed occupation models and their specific characteristics, considering the heterogeneity of archaeological evidence and the limitations of current methodologies. The article offers a reassessment of the topic, critically analysing the current indicators used to determine the duration of Neanderthal occupations. Furthermore, we discuss the complexity in defining the concepts of short and long-term occupation, emphasising the need for a multidisciplinary approach to fully understand the complexity of the practices of the Late Neanderthals.

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来源期刊

Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY-

CiteScore

4.80

自引率

18.20%

发文量

199

期刊介绍： Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences covers the full spectrum of natural scientific methods with an emphasis on the archaeological contexts and the questions being studied. It bridges the gap between archaeologists and natural scientists providing a forum to encourage the continued integration of scientific methodologies in archaeological research. Coverage in the journal includes: archaeology, geology/geophysical prospection, geoarchaeology, geochronology, palaeoanthropology, archaeozoology and archaeobotany, genetics and other biomolecules, material analysis and conservation science. The journal is endorsed by the German Society of Natural Scientific Archaeology and Archaeometry (GNAA), the Hellenic Society for Archaeometry (HSC), the Association of Italian Archaeometrists (AIAr) and the Society of Archaeological Sciences (SAS).