24.11.2022

Pleistocene small vertebrates studies in Western Balkan Peninsula (SE Europe): Methodological state of the art, paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental reconstructions, and future perspectives

Colloquium by Dr. Mihailo Jovanovic

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Time: 24th November, 13:00

Speaker: Dr. Mihailo Jovanovic

Title: Pleistocene small vertebrates studies in Western Balkan Peninsula (SE Europe): Methodological state of the art,  paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental reconstructions, and future perspectives.

Abstract: Geologically, the terrain in the Balkan Peninsula is favorable for the formation of limestone caves where
small vertebrate remains are usually recovered, as well as Neanderthals remains occasionally. According
to the available data, this work includes small vertebrate remains from Baranica, Hadži Prodanova,
Pešturina, Smolućka and Crvena Stijena caves that are used for paleoclimatic reconstructions in an
attempt to present AMS dated layers from these sites within the chronological context of the
Mousterian-Aurignacian-Gravettian cultural succession. Therefore, changes in the faunal composition
have been recognized in relation to the successive cultural context. Taxonomical habitat indexes and
bioclimatic analysis have been applied on small mammals. In addition, hierarchical clustering and
correspondence analysis have been applied to herpetofaunal assemblages as a comparative proxy for
reconstructing the paleoclimate and paleoenvironment. MIS 5 (Smolućka) is found in reconstruction to
have been much warmer than present, and the data from the small vertebrates remains in Serbia did
not seem to have registered any dramatic climatic oscillations during MIS 3 and early MIS 2. When
compared with present local situation, the paleoecological and paleoclimatological reconstructions for
these four caves suggest that climate was somewhat colder (presence in the sites of mountain species
like Chionomys nivalis) and dryer (mainly due to the detection of Coronella austriaca and Lacerta agilis).
The application of taxonomical habitat indexes to the different assemblages suggests that the associated
environment was probably more open with the presence of forest species (Clethrionomys glareolus and
Apodemus ex gr. sylvaticus-flavicollis), but never representing more than 10% of the total assemblage.
Even during the MIS 2, results suggest that the Balkans had milder and humid climate compared to
Central Europe, with average temperature ranging from 2.2 to 4.5 ºC lower than presently. Overall,
there were no important ecological changes during the transition between Mousterian and Aurignacian,
i.e. the transition between Neanderthals and Anatomically Modern Humans. This conclusion is generally
in line with common opinion that climate change was not a crucial factor in Neanderthal extinction in
the Balkan Peninsula. Instead, it had the effect similar to Iberian and Apennine Peninsulas, where milder
climate allowed Neanderthals to find refuge and survive longer than in the rest of the Europe.
Nevertheless, this topic remains still open for debate. Regarding the Middle and the Late Pleistocene it
would be very important to establish a pattern of appearances and disappearances of small vertebrates
as they are a very good proxy for paleoreconstructions. Such an attempt is an ongoing process that will
be further reinforced by future exploration. Such a program is obviously very ambitious and would need
many years and funds for studies specialized in different disciplines. However, perspectives for the
future should continue in such a direction.

If you are interested in joining the Colloquium, please send a mail to miri.mertnerspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de.