Christopher A. Bergman

The timing and spatiotemporal patterning of Neanderthal disappearance

The timing of Neanderthal disappearance and the extent to which they overlapped with the earliest incoming anatomically modern humans (AMHs) in Eurasia are key questions in palaeoanthropology. Determining the spatiotemporal relationship between the two populations is crucial if we are to understand the processes, timing and reasons leading to the disappearance of Neanderthals and the likelihood of cultural and genetic exchange. Serious technical challenges, however, have hindered reliable dating of the period, as the radiocarbon method reaches its limit at ∼50,000 years ago. Here we apply improved accelerator mass spectrometry 14C techniques to construct robust chronologies from 40 key Mousterian and Neanderthal archaeological sites, ranging from Russia to Spain. Bayesian age modelling was used to generate probability distribution functions to determine the latest appearance date. We show that the Mousterian ended by 41,030–39,260 calibrated years bp (at 95.4% probability) across Europe. We also demonstrate that succeeding ‘transitional’ archaeological industries, one of which has been linked with Neanderthals (Châtelperronian), end at a similar time. Our data indicate that the disappearance of Neanderthals occurred at different times in different regions. Comparing the data with results obtained from the earliest dated AMH sites in Europe, associated with the Uluzzian technocomplex, allows us to quantify the temporal overlap between the two human groups. The results reveal a significant overlap of 2,600–5,400 years (at 95.4% probability). This has important implications for models seeking to explain the cultural, technological and biological elements involved in the replacement of Neanderthals by AMHs. A mosaic of populations in Europe during the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition suggests that there was ample time for the transmission of cultural and symbolic behaviours, as well as possible genetic exchanges, between the two groups.

Chronology of Ksar Akil (Lebanon) and implications for the colonization of Europe by anatomically modern humans.

The Out-of-Africa model holds that anatomically modern humans (AMH) evolved and dispersed from Africa into Asia, and later Europe. Palaeoanthropological evidence from the Near East assumes great importance, but AMH remains from the region are extremely scarce. ‘Egbert’, a now-lost AMH fossil from the key site of Ksar Akil (Lebanon) and ‘Ethelruda’, a recently re-discovered fragmentary maxilla from the same site, are two rare examples where human fossils are directly linked with early Upper Palaeolithic archaeological assemblages. Here we radiocarbon date the contexts from which Egbert and Ethelruda were recovered, as well as the levels above and below the findspots. In the absence of well-preserved organic materials, we primarily used marine shell beads, often regarded as indicative of behavioural modernity. Bayesian modelling allows for the construction of a chronostratigraphic framework for Ksar Akil, which supports several conclusions. The model-generated age estimates place Egbert between 40.8–39.2 ka cal BP (68.2% prob.) and Ethelruda between 42.4–41.7 ka cal BP (68.2% prob.). This indicates that Egbert is of an age comparable to that of the oldest directly-dated European AMH (Peştera cu Oase). Ethelruda is older, but on current estimates not older than the modern human teeth from Cavallo in Italy. The dating of the so-called “transitional” or Initial Upper Palaeolithic layers of the site may indicate that the passage from the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic at Ksar Akil, and possibly in the wider northern Levant, occurred later than previously estimated, casting some doubts on the assumed singular role of the region as a locus for human dispersals into Europe. Finally, tentative interpretations of the fossils taxonomy, combined with the chronometric dating of Ethelrudas context, provides evidence that the transitional/IUP industries of Europe and the Levant, or at least some of them, may be the result of early modern human migration(s).

Statistical and archaeological errors invalidate the proposed chronology for the site of Ksar Akil

Bosch et al. (1) report on a series of radiocarbon dates from the site of Ksar Akil, which they model and interpret within a Bayesian statistical approach. They highlight as most significant aspects of this work the indirect dating of “Ethelruda” (>45,900 cal B.P.), the purportedly modern human maxilla found at the interface between Middle and Initial Upper Paleolithic layers, and that of a modern human child, “Egbert” (∼43,000 cal B.P.), from the Early Ahmarian phase. Both estimates are older than those of previous work (2). Although the conventional 14C determinations appear to be accurate, with identical dating methodologies used in the Groningen and Oxford laboratories, the improper application of Bayesian statistics and a poor understanding of the site’s 23-m-long stratigraphy falsify the interpretation of these results and the overall conclusions these authors reach.

Early woodland occupation of the northern bluegrass : The West Runway site (15BE391), Boone County, Kentucky

The West Runway site (15BE391) is located in an upland setting in Boone County, Kentucky. Excavations at this locality revealed intact Early Woodland deposits including pit features containing Fayette Thick ceramics and straight stemmed Kramer projectile points. Until these investigations, Fayette Thick ceramics had not previously been recovered from non-mound locations or in isolation within undisturbed feature contexts. Several radiocarbon determinations bracket the primary occupation of the West Runway site between 770 B.C. and 390 B.C. These dates indicate that the site predates the well-known Adena culture and suggest a need for continuing refinement of the Early Woodland cultural sequence.

Blade Technology in Clovis Assemblages in Kentucky: A Brief Comparison with Old World Technologies:

During the Upper Paleolithic and Epipaleolithic of the Old World, the use of blade and bladelet technology was widespread in parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. In contrast to this situation, the use of elongated debitage in North America occurs relatively infrequently during the Pre-Clovis and Clovis periods. This article examines three assemblages from the Adams and Joe Priddy sites in Kentucky and the Nuckolls site in Tennessee, and notes possible differences between Clovis blade manufacture and use, versus blade production in many Old World settings. These differences include the intensity of core reduction, the relative frequency and proportions of blades (and bladelets), the diversity of blade tool forms, and the percentage of retouched blade tools to unretouched blades.

Some Comments on Blade Technology and Eastern Clovis Lithic Reduction Strategies

Abstract Blade/bladelet technology has been described as a highly efficient manner by which to produce stone tools, both tool blanks and finished forms. It was practiced during the Upper Paleolithic and Mesolithic (or Epipaleolithic) over vast portions of Europe, Asia, and Africa and it has also been ascribed to the Paleoindian Period for both Pre-Clovis and Clovis assemblages. However, the authors believe that in North America blade technology was relatively rare when compared to Old World settings and almost absent in some areas such as northeastern North America. Eastern Clovis lithic reduction systems supported a high degree of mobility, extremely low population densities, and an adaptation to a highly variable and changing Allerød and Younger Dryas environment. At roughly the same time, Old World Upper Paleolithic and Epipaleolithic peoples used relatively structured and standardized blade/bladelet manufacturing systems that best suited higher population densities with lower levels of mobility. This paper examines the characteristics of these different lithic reduction strategies and outlies the benefits of the bifacial core and tool technologies employed by early Paleoindians.

Some Strategies for Effective Cultural Resources Management in Pipeline Permitting

The inventory, evaluation and treatment of cultural resources represent a significant challenge for siting and permitting natural gas pipelines. Project sponsors assist the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Energy Projects with meeting its obligations under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The increasing sophistication of compliance with Section 106 is reflected in the Office of Energy Project’s 2002 Guidelines for Reporting on Cultural Resources Investigations for Pipeline Projects. Recent pipeline projects in the United States have involved environmental study corridors that are both wide and extensive, a combination that results in the identification of large numbers of cultural properties. The process of cultural resources management begins in the project planning stage with the development of site location modeling, analysis of previous investigations within or near Areas of Potential Effect, and consideration of the likelihood for encountering potentially eligible National Register of Historic Places properties. Using this information, site detection survey strategies can be developed that intensively target only sensitive portions of the Area of Potential Effect. During the survey, identification of archaeological sites, historic structures, or cultural landscapes requires prompt evaluation of National Register eligibility status for the purposes of avoidance or development of treatment plans. This presentation considers the Section 106 compliance process and how project sponsors can effectively manage cultural resources to ensure cost effectiveness and maintenance of restricted project schedules, while meeting the objectives of the National Historic Preservation Act.Copyright