Neanderthals and Anatomically Modern Humans in Central Europe – New Insights into Palaeoenvironments and Genetics

Abstract

Studies of cultural material and sediment deposits excavated from Central European caves have brought to light new data about the period called Middle-Upper Palaeolithic transition 50,000 to 35,000 years ago when the Neanderthals and Anatomically Modern Humans both inhabited this region. Neanderthal and early Anatomically Modern Human sites have been excavated in Central Europe since the late 19th century, but in terms of site numbers and richness the archaeological record has not matched the corresponding record known from southwestern Europe. Several new multidisciplinary research projects in the last decade at limestone caves Pod Hradem, Švédův Stůl and Deravá Skala have provided new insights into hominin presence and the local palaeoenvironments. New results from genetic research have also brought exciting new discoveries. 

About the Presenter

Dr. Ladislav Nejman

Ladislav has completed his PhD in 2008 at the Australian National University on the Middle-Upper Palaeolithic Transition in Central Europe and a Marie Curie postdoctoral fellowship at Masaryk University (Czech Republic) in 2013. He has led multidisciplinary research projects at Central European caves including Pod Hradem, Švédův Stůl and Deravá Skala and participated as a lithics analyst on several European and Australian research projects. He has also been employed as a consultant on numerous cultural heritage projects. Currently, he is the Course Coordinator for ARCS2011 at University of Queensland.