The first Neanderthal remains from an open-air Middle Palaeolithic site in the Levant

Abstract

The late Middle Palaeolithic (MP) settlement patterns in the Levant included the repeated use of caves and open landscape sites. The fossil record shows that two types of hominins occupied the region during this period—Neandertals and Homo sapiens. Until recently, diagnostic fossil remains were found only at cave sites. Because the two populations in this region left similar material cultural remains, it was impossible to attribute any open-air site to either species. In this study, we present newly discovered fossil remains from intact archaeological layers of the open-air site ‘Ein Qashish, in northern Israel. The hominin remains represent three individuals: EQH1, a nondiagnostic skull fragment; EQH2, an upper right third molar (RM3); and EQH3, lower limb bones of a young Neandertal male. EQH2 and EQH3 constitute the first diagnostic anatomical remains of Neandertals at an open-air site in the Levant. The optically stimulated luminescence ages suggest that Neandertals repeatedly visited ‘Ein Qashish between 70 and 60 ka. The discovery of Neandertals at open-air sites during the late MP reinforces the view that Neandertals were a resilient population in the Levant shortly before Upper Palaeolithic Homo sapiens populated the region.

Geoarchaeological Investigation of Site Formation and Depositional Environments at the Middle Palaeolithic Open-Air Site of ‘Ein Qashish, Israel

“…The leg bones (a femur, two tibiae and two fibulae) were found in partial articulation within Unit 3b in Area B of the excavation, in close proximity to Middle Palaeolithic stone tools and animal bones (Been et al 2017). The occupation levels at the site date to 70,000-55,000 years ago (Been et al 2017), in agreement with the 2009-2011 dated archaeological levels .…”

“…Notably, there are no significant differences between the OSL ages obtained for the various units from the silicate component (quartz; see Been et al 2017), showing that sediments of Units 3, 4 and 5 were deposited at the time interval between about 70 and 55 ka ago. This time interval is characterised by climatic oscillations represented by variations of isotopic values on the order of 1‰ (Bar-Matthews et al 2003).…”

“…Certain localities appear to have been buried shortly after human occupation, preserving in situ activity evidenced by articulated faunal and human skeletal parts and tightly-spaced refitted lithics. In other areas, slight displacement of artefacts occurred Been et al 2017). Nevertheless, the episodes of human occupation must have taken place on relatively dry surfaces.…”

“…b Schematic drawing of the general stratigraphic sequence compiled based on the study of sediments and artefacts. OSL ages (after Been et al 2017) appear in shaded grey boxes the dispersal of artefacts across the archaeological level. As the excavation area was located at the mouth of a small tributary (Wadi Qashish) running off Mt.…”

“…Archaeological materials consist of stone artefacts (knapped flint and limestone and possibly a few anvils), faunal remains (anthropogenically transported and modified) and Neanderthal remains, the latter constituting the first known diagnostic human remains in a Levantine Middle Palaeolithic open-air site (Been et al 2017). The leg bones (a femur, two tibiae and two fibulae) were found in partial articulation within Unit 3b in Area B of the excavation, in close proximity to Middle Palaeolithic stone tools and animal bones (Been et al 2017). The occupation levels at the site date to 70,000-55,000 years ago (Been et al 2017), in agreement with the 2009-2011 dated archaeological levels .…”