Thermoluminescence dating of the late Neanderthal remains from Saint-Césaire

摘要: Anatomically modern humans have long been thought to responsible for the Aurignacian and Châtelperronian industries of early Upper Palaeolithic Western Europe, whereas Middle Mousterian industry has attributed Neanderthals. The presence both strata at Saint-Cesaire in France offers an excellent opportunity studying cultural transition between two. is only site that yielded really diagnostic hominid fossils, discovery there Neanderthal remains alongside tools cast doubt on exclusive association taxon. We report thermoluminescence dates 20 burnt flints from site. Those found near were dated 36,300 +/- 2,700 years BP (before present), making this specimen youngest so far. This date places stratum close age several French but much younger than some Spanish sites believed occupied by humans. possibility contact West European Neanderthals intrusive who replaced them cannot therefore be excluded.