The Homo sapiens population dispersed to higher latitudes in Europe around 45,000 years ago, as per a study published in Nature. Various additional studies have also contributed to this understanding by providing information on topics such as the Upper Palaeolithic humans in Europe having recent Neanderthal ancestry, the genome sequence from a modern human skull over 45,000 years old from Czechia, the late and final Middle Palaeolithic of central Europe, the acculturation of the last Neanderthals in Northern Europe, and direct dating of the Belgian Spy fossils. Furthermore, other studies have discussed the earliest evidence for anatomically modern humans in northwestern Europe and the issue of the age and context of the Kent’s Cavern 4 maxilla and the earliest Homo sapiens specimens in Europe.
The new evidence also touches on the transition from the Middle to Upper Paleolithic in Northern Europe and the Lincombian-Ranisian-Jerzmanowician and the issue of the acculturation of the last Neanderthals. There is also mention of an Early Upper Palaeolithic open-air station and Mid-Devensian hyaena den at Grange Farm, Glaston, Rutland, UK and the radiocarbon chronology of Geißenklösterle. Additionally, data has been presented suggesting that early modern human settlement of Europe north of the Alps took place 43,500 years ago in a cold steppe-type environment.
Moreover, optimal linear estimation models predict substantial overlap between Homo sapiens and Neandertals prior to the disappearance of the latter from France and northern Spain. A study also discusses the Ilsenhöhle in Ranis, Germany and offers insights into stable isotopes showing Homo sapiens dispersed into cold steppes around 45,000 years ago, as well as the modern human incursion into Neanderthal territories 54,000 years ago at Mandrin, France. Another study explores palaeogenomics of Upper Paleolithic to Neolithic European hunter-gatherers and considers the radiocarbon dates from the Oxford AMS system.
The abundance of studies and research discussed in the Nature article showcases the comprehensive and meticulous scientific research that has contributed to shedding light on the historical dispersion and settlement of Homo sapiens in Europe. These studies also demonstrate the multifaceted nature of scientific inquiry and the diverse methodologies employed in expanding our understanding of human history and evolution.
