Neanderthals were the first extinct human relative to become known to science and have an iconic significance in human evolution. Recent research has clarified many aspects of Neanderthal anatomy, genetics, development and behaviour. The more we learn about Neanderthals the more we realise how regional and chronological differences are key to understand the full complexity of Neanderthal lifeways.

The Iberian Peninsula has played a major role in understanding Neanderthal behaviour but furthermore, their dissapearance. As far as we know, Neanderthal survived in the Iberian Peninsula (and likely surrounding areas) longer than in other European areas, with researchers suggesting these territories acted as a climatic refugium for Neanderthal populations until ca. 40,000 years ago. Although we have a rich record of Neanderthal evidence in several sites in Western Europe, the southern slopes of the Pyrenees were until recently depleted of significant findings. But this story changed from the early 2000s…

Building up on the work we have been carrying out since 2007, this presentation will delve into what we know so far about Neanderthal lifeways in this ‘dark side’ of the Pyrenees. Through a review of sites, chronology and exciting findings, this seminar will present some of the results we obtained in the last 10 years, including during this year’s field season, plus including a glipmse to the very preliminary results from my DECRA project ‘Neanderthal hunting ability and the extinction of archaic humans’

Join in-person or via zoom: https://anu.zoom.us/j/88146439813?pwd=WEROTFZVQjRueHBDZUJNTDgvc2RSQT09

Meeting ID: 881 4643 9813
Password: 615192