20.04.2023

Toward the isotopic ecology of the Altai Neanderthals

Colloquium by Dr. Maciej T. Krajcarz

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Time: Thursday, 20^th April 2023 at 1pm (sharp)

Location: Rümelinstraße 23, Room 602 or via Zoom (the Zoom Link will be send around the day before the colloquium)

Speaker: Dr. Maciej T. Krajcarz

Title: Toward the isotopic ecology of the Altai Neanderthals

Abstract:

The Altai mountains in southern Siberia were the furthest and easternmost outpost of the Neanderthal ecumene. The region was settled at least two times by Neanderthal populations coming from Europe, with almost a 3,000 km gap between the known sites in Altai and the easternmost sites in Europe: in Crimea and Caucasus. Despite this huge distance, the Altai Neanderthals were closely related to their European cousins in terms of genetic similarities and lithic technology. This evokes essential questions about their environment and their subsistence habits. Arriving at Altai, did they still roam within the same widespread ecosystem and could exploit it following the European strategies? Or maybe, did they face there another ecology, that they had to adapt to? In my project, I try to find answers to these questions in the frame of the “Words, Bones, Genes, Tools” fellowship. The research method is isotopic paleoecology using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values recorded in bone collagen of Neanderthal and animal fossils from Altai. The project aims to collect and critically evaluate all published and unpublished isotopic data. The final goal is to compare the isotopic ecology of the Altai ecosystem and the well-studied Late Pleistocene ecosystems of Europe. This will provide key information for our understanding of the Neanderthal adaptability to the extreme conditions at the fringes of their ecumene.

We welcome you all to join us in-person or via Zoom.