Modélisation mathématique de l'entrée de l'Homme moderne en Europe

National audienc

Continuity and/or Discontinuity in the Pleistocene peopling of Europe?

Today, a number of European fossils are known which can be dated between 500,000 and 900,000 years ago. These remains provide evidence of an early human settlement of Europe, which apparently predates the emergence of Neanderthals. However, the taxonomic attribution of these fossils and their phylogenetic relationship to each other and to Neanderthals remains unclear. Evidence for a direct phylogenetic relationship with Neanderthals or a discontinuity is not yet conclusive. The task is complicated by the fact that the emergence of the Neanderthal population was not abrupt, but progressive. It is probable that the peopling of Europe during the entire Pleistocene was unique and presented from its very origins an “endemic” (a cul-de-sac) character, which may explain that the first traces of fossils in Europe illustrate particularities in comparison those from Africa and from Asia. Further paleontological discoveries will be needed to redefine the status of these features and to improve our understanding of human evolution in Europe

150 years of Neandertal studies : old questions, new answers

EAA : European association of AnthropologyTitre du volume : Human evolution : facts and factorsInternational audienceThe original Neanderthal specimen was discovered 150 years ago. In this paper we will review our knowledge concerning this middle Pleistocene fossil population in relation to the following questions : Which of the Neanderthal anatomical traits permit us to recognize and define the Neanderthals as a distinct population ? What do we know about their growth and development ? Do the morphological features observed result from adaptation to the particular climate of the middle Pleistocene ? Does the Neanderthal pattern indicate long-lasting isolation in Europe or even speciation ? The Nenderthals inhabited a vast geographical area extending from Portugal to Uzbekistan and from northern Europe to the Near East. This raises the question concerning the homogeneity of the Neanderthal population. Is it possible to identify local varations in such a large space ? Can one speak of a cultural and behavorial particularities for the Neanderthals

Ange blond et noirs démons

Article de vulgarisation paru dans le Journal Libération du 4 Novembre 201

150 years of Neandertal studies : old questions, new answers

EAA : European association of AnthropologyTitre du volume : Human evolution : facts and factorsInternational audienceThe original Neanderthal specimen was discovered 150 years ago. In this paper we will review our knowledge concerning this middle Pleistocene fossil population in relation to the following questions : Which of the Neanderthal anatomical traits permit us to recognize and define the Neanderthals as a distinct population ? What do we know about their growth and development ? Do the morphological features observed result from adaptation to the particular climate of the middle Pleistocene ? Does the Neanderthal pattern indicate long-lasting isolation in Europe or even speciation ? The Nenderthals inhabited a vast geographical area extending from Portugal to Uzbekistan and from northern Europe to the Near East. This raises the question concerning the homogeneity of the Neanderthal population. Is it possible to identify local varations in such a large space ? Can one speak of a cultural and behavorial particularities for the Neanderthals