Stress environnemental et repeuplement des Néandertaliens dans le Caucase du Nord-Ouest

Abstract

Multidisciplinary studies conducted at multilayered Middle Paleolithic sites in the North-Western Caucasus have revealed volcanic ash from the eruption of the Tash-Tebe volcano located in the Central Caucasus. It significantly worsened the environmental conditions for Neanderthals in the region and apparently contributed to a decrease in population activity. Absolute dating for a number of sites allows us to correlate this phase with the H5 stadial (∼48–47 thousand years ago). Genetic analysis of late Neanderthals (Mez2) has revealed a population turnover among late European Neanderthals. The study of late Neanderthal stone industries in the Northwest Caucasus shows that the materials reveal innovations in both the knapping technique and the tool composition.