The intrusive nature of the Châtelperronian in the Iberian Peninsula

PLoS One. 2022 Mar 30;17(3):e0265219. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265219. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Multiple factors have been proposed to explain the disappearance of Neandertals between ca. 50 and 40 kyr BP. Central to these discussions has been the identification of new techno-cultural complexes that overlap with the period of Neandertal demise in Europe. One such complex is the Châtelperronian, which extends from the Paris Basin to the Northern Iberian Peninsula between 43,760-39,220 BP. In this study we present the first open-air Châtelperronian site in the Northern Iberian Peninsula, Aranbaltza II. The technological features of its stone tool assemblage show no links with previous Middle Paleolithic technology in the region, and chronological modeling reveals a gap between the latest Middle Paleolithic and the Châtelperronian in this area. We interpret this as evidence of local Neandertal extinction and replacement by other Neandertal groups coming from southern France, illustrating how local extinction episodes could have played a role in the process of disappearance of Neandertals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Europe
  • Fossils
  • France
  • Neanderthals*
  • Paris
  • Technology

Grants and funding

Research at Aranbaltza site has been funded by Diputación Foral de Bizkaia (2013-2020), Gobierno Vasco-Eusko Jaurlaritza (2014-2015), Harpea Kultur Elkartea (2013-2017), Edestiaurre Arkeologi Elkartea (2018). OSL dating research conducted by M.D. and L.J.A. was partly supported by Australian Research Council Future Fellowship grant FT200100816. AGO was supported by Ramón y Cajal fellowship (RYC-2017-22558). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.