Solving the puzzle of neanderthal occupations: a reassessment of temporal indicators of occupation duration
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.
Authors
- Ruth Blasco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9804-739X)
- Jordi Rosell (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6758-6291)
- Valentina Lubrano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4332-952X)
- Anna Rufà (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1278-4220)
- Florent Rivals (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8074-9254)
Institutions
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ES)
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Université de Bordeaux (FR)
- Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social (ES)
- De la Préhistoire à l'Actuel : Culture, Environnement et Anthropologie (FR)
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili (ES)
- University of Algarve (PT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences
- Published
- 2025-02-15
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-025-02163-0
- Citations
- 5
- Primary Topic
- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 56.73
Funders
- European Commission
- Generalitat de Catalunya
- Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad
- Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
- Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca
- Agencia Estatal de Investigación