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Research Title:
Reconstructing the Distribution of Neanderthals and Modern Humans in Time and Space in Relation to Past Climate Change
Research Organization:
Team Leader
- Minoru Yoneda,
Associate Professor, Chronology, Graduate School of Integrated Biosciences, University of Tokyo
Co-investigators
- Ayako Abe-Ouchi,
Associate Professor, Climate Cynamics, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo
- Takashi Oguchi,
Professor, Geomorphology, Center for Spatial Information Science, The University of Tokyo
- Hodaka Kawahata,
Professor, Graduate School of Integrated Biosciences, University of Tokyo
- Hirohisa Mori, Associate Professor, Geographic Information Engineering, Office for Virtual Resources, International Research Center for Japanese Studies, Kyoto
- Yuzo Marukawa,
Associate Professor, Informatics, Research Center for Informatics of Association, National Institute of Informatics
- Yusuke Yokoyama,
Associate Professor, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo
- Takayuki Omori,
Ph.D. candidate, JSPS fellow, Chronological Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Graduate School o Environmental Studies, Nagoya University
- Mark Diab,
Ph.D. candidate, zooarchaeology, Graduate School of Integrated Biosciences, The University of Tokyo
- Wing-Le Chan, Researcher, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo
- Yasuhisa Kondo,
Visiting scholar, GIS Archaeology, Center for Spatial Information Studies, University of Tokyo (Project Research Fellow, The University Museum, The University of Tokyo)
Overseas Collaborators
- Rania Bou Kheir,
Department of Geography, GIS Research Laboratory, Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Lebanese University, P.O. Box 90-1065, Fanar, Lebanon
- Tezer M Esat,
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) Australian National University, Australia
- Masa Kageyama,
Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement LSCE/IPSL - CEA-CNRS-UVSQCE Saclay, l'Orme des Merisiers, batiment 701, 91191
- Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
- Gilles Ramstein,
Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement, France
- D.S.M. / Orme des Merisiers / Bat. 701 C.E. Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
Research Objectives
The primary goal of this research project is to reconstruct the distribution of Anatomically Modern Humans (AMH) and Neanderthals in time and space during the period when they were contemporaneous, from 200 to 20 ka (1 ka = 1,000 years). A second purpose is to reconstruct the environment of the two populations, including climatic conditions and ecological settings. Based on scientific evidence, the relationship between their site distributions and the pattern of environmental changes may reveal differences between these two hominins in terms of their adaptive responses to environmental changes. This comparison will test the theoretical hypothesis of research project B01 using concrete geoscience evidence. To accomplish this goal, we will concentrate our investigation on environmental change during the period from 200 to 30 ka and on the distribution of archaeological evidence for modern human behavior, including innovative techniques and symbolic expression
Research Methods
In this project, we will conduct 4 independent research sub-projects with the purpose of reconstructing the distribution of AMH and Neanderthal sites and migrations/movements, and early modern behavior in light of environmental change in time and space. These four interrelated research sub-projects will produce concrete data that will serve to test the theoretical predictions of B01’s “Individual Learning Hypothesis.” The following four research sub-projects comprise the work of the B02 research group:
(1) The replacement of Neanderthal populations by AMH in Europe has been discussed through a precise review of age determinations at key sites, and the detailed reconstruction of the paleoclimate and paleoecosystems; such research has not been conducted in other regions where modern humans—our species, Homo sapiens--actually evolved. In this study, we will focus on the regions of Africa and West Asia, from where little information has been evaluated in light of the modern scenario of human evolution, in order to investigate what happened to the Neanderthals and AMH by precisely reconstructing the distribution of these two species in the detailed timescale proposed for this project. We will produce a series of new distribution maps of Neanderthal and AMH settlements using more precise datasets of absolute dating by reviewing sampling, preparation, measurement technology, evaluation of diagenetic effects (postmortem chemical alterations), and data processing. The evaluated age information will be summarized in maps using GIS (Geographical Information System) methods to reconstruct detailed maps of hominin distribution.
(2) In order to illustrate temporal changes of environment faced by theNeanderthals and AMH during their evolution, a series of reconstructed climatic distributions will be created for every ten thousand year period from 200 to 30 ka, using a global climate simulation model. This simulation model, established by the University of Tokyo and the National Institute for Environmental Studies (Tsukuba) for forecasting future climatic change, will be applied to the reconstruction of past global and regional climate. These results will be linked to GIS maps that illustrate the distribution of Neanderthal and AMH occupation and the emergence of modern behavior, as well as to temporal sequence data on ancient environments and ecosystems recorded in geological sediment cores. Discussion of the relationship between humans, climate, and environmental settings will be based on these maps. As a second step, various regions and periods will be investigated to support more detailed discussions of the evolution of learning ability of the two kinds of humans.
(3) Some continuous environmental proxy data is important for the reinforcement of the temporal changes between reconstructed climatic distributions through model simulations, because geochemical proxies can suggest not only temporal changes in environment at specific locations, but also some rapid and/or local events. Even with the latest global simulation models, it is still a challenging task to illustrate rapid drastic climate changes such as Dansgaard-Oeschger cycles and Heinrich events and their effects on each region of the earth. Through the combining of simulated climate distributions and continuous data from a specific location, unique environment and temporal changes will be described in detail for this project, especially with respect to Africa and East Eurasia during the 200 to 30 ka period.
(4) An information system that can integrate the following data will be developed for this project using GIS: age data on human occupation (Neanderthals and AMH), archaeological evidence of modern behavior, global climate reconstruction, and point data on environmental proxies extracted from geological cores. Through the use of this system, the relationship between environmental change and human behavior can be examined statistically. This investigation will also extract differences in behavioral adaptations of Neanderthals and AMH in relation to environmental change. These outcomes will be necessary for the testing of crystallization of the theoretical hypothesis provided by project B01. They will also facilitate discussion with project A01 towards an understanding of human adaptation through technical innovation.
Research proposal for 2010
[Research objectives]
(1) Data collection for the distribution of Neanderthal and AMH populations and the dispersal of modern behavior:
A literature search of the absolute dates will be conducted, mainly in a search for archaeological evidence related to modern behavior. In FY2010 in particular the regions of Europe and west Asia during the period from 60 to 30 ka will be a prime focus because previous data has been published concerning those regions and periods, to aid the investigation of the extinction of the Neanderthals. Recent reports on modern human behavior will be another target of this research. In the course of this year, a critical evaluation of absolute ages will be generated; this will be applied to data from Africa and Western Eurasia in the subsequent years of the project.
(2) Reconstruction of paleoclimatic distribution:
During this fiscal year a simulation study using the global climate model will be conducted to elucidate the distribution of paleoclimate in the period from 60 to 30 ka. First, a global map with a resolution of 200 km will be reconstructed; this will become the basal information for the informative GIS system. Through the integration of the absolute dates data and the continuous environmental data in the system, specific temporal and spatial regions will be selected for detailed reconstruction. The required time and space resolution of these detailed maps will also be discussed.
(3) Collection of time-sequential environmental data: A systematic literature search will be conducted regarding paleoenvironmental data, mainly in the regions of Europe and west Asia in the period from 60 to 30 ka. Geochemical proxies will be evaluated in light of reconstruction of environmental parameters including the ecological setting (climate, fauna, vegetation, etc.) for Neanderthals and AMH.
(4) Creation of an informative system by GIS: Activities (1) to (3) above will provide a collection of absolute dates, a spatial reconstruction of climate distributions, and a picture of continuous environmental change for different times and spaces, all of which will be completely integrated using GIS. Additionally, selected sets of archaeological data collected in project A01 will be loaded into this GIS. First, a PC server will be set up to store fundamental data such as digital elevation modes, modern administrative boundaries and river systems; then the data compiled through the three activities will be inputted seriatim. Second, a map server for the distribution of information to project members will be set up with appropriate map projection systems and cartographic expressions. In order to improve the accuracy of the paleoclimatic reconstruction, modern satellite data showing flora will be compared with climatic variables such as temperature and precipitation, using the GIS. The goal for FY2010, that of a presentation of the practical visualization of ecological environments faced by the Neanderthals and AMH, will be elucidated and disseminated in scholarly seminars, meetings, reports, and eventual publication.
[Research methods]
(1) In the course of this year, we will collect absolute age data on modern behavior as well as the features of sites and measured samples. The data will be collected systematically for the absolute ages reported for West Asia and Africa in the period 60 to 30 ka. A literature search will cover major journals including Nature, Science and PNAS, and specialized journals including Journal of Human Evolution, Journal of Archaeological Science, Radiocarbon, Archaeometry, Antiquity, Quaternary Science Review and International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. Some literature databases such as Web of Science will be used in the compilation of a comprehensive set of data. In collaboration with project A01, data from site reports and monographs will be examined. In order to qualify the data, a critical protocol will be established in collaboration with our international committee members.
(2) The distribution of paleoclimate will calculated for the period from 60 to 30 ka. Because many drastic changes such as Dansgaard-Oeschger cycles occurred during this period, we will reconstruct three different phases; (1) the Last Glacial Maxima at 20 ka, (2) Warm phase and (3) Cool phase of this fluctuating period. The first reconstruction will be calculated in the resolution of 200 km. In order to evaluate our methodology, our reconstruction will be carefully compared with previously reported European maps. Some geochemical proxies will also be examined for assessment of climatic evaluation.
(3) Some fundamental proxies for ocean and surface environment (i.e. oxygen isotopes in foraminfera and carbonates, trace elements, isotopic change in organic matter) will be collected from journal articles (Nature, Science, Quaternary Science Reviews, Quaternary Research, Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology, Global and Planetary Changes, Paleoceanography, GEOLOGY). Some literature databases such as Web of Science will be used to create a comprehensive list of data. In FY2010, we will mainly focus on regions in West Asia and Africa during the period from 60 to 30 ka, which will provide data for the evaluation of the reconstructed distribution of paleoclimate. A protocol for quality control of paleoenvironmental proxies will be established in collaboration with our international committee members. A publicly scribed project will compare paleoenvironmental data and archaeological faunal remains reported from archaeological sites.
(4) A PC server running a database integrating paleoclimate distribution, absolute ages and paleoenvironmental proxies will be prepared. Archaeological data collected through project A01 will be selected for integration into this database. Initially, fundamental data (digital elevation modes, river systems and modern administrative boundaries) will be loaded as the background information mentioned above. Then, a map server with GIS for the distribution of information via the Internet to members of the project will be set up with appropriate map projection systems and cartographic expressions. To improve the accuracy of paleoclimatic reconstruction, modern floral data collected by artificial satellites will be loaded into this GIS as well, towards the realization of the reconstruction of ecosystems surrounding Neanderthal and AMH using fundamental climatic parameters.
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