DATASETS FOR: Compatible ecological niche signals between biological and archaeological datasets for late-surviving Neandertals

Abstract

DATASETS FOR manuscript for publication

Objectives: To assess niche similarity for biological and archaeological samples representing late-surviving Neandertals in Europe to evaluate the validity of combining these two types of datasets in niche analyses.

Materials and Methods: Tests of niche conservatism are used to assess niche similarity and niche identity of samples of morphologically diagnostic Neandertal remains and Middle Paleolithic (MP) archaeological sites dating to the time period leading up to Neandertal extinction. Paleoenvironmental reconstructions for the Pre-H4 (43.3-40.2 ky cal BP), H4 (40.2-38.6 ky cal BP), and Post-H4 (38.6-36.5 ky cal BP) were used to create the comparative analyses.

Results: Null hypotheses of niche similarity and identity could not be rejected for the two types of samples.

Discussion: As primary and secondary evidence of Neandertal occurrence during the Pre-H4, H4, and Post-H4 show high levels of niche similarity and identity, combining the two types of occurrence data to create larger samples for niche analyses is justified without the concern that different environmental signals could complicate future research.