Pages: 17-27

The paper deals with the question of cultural continuity between the Neandertals and anatomically modern humans in Europe. Both species seem to have coexisted there for at least 2000 years and possibly much longer. The overview of relevant archaeological and paleoanthropological data from different parts of the continent leads to the conclusion that while in the west of the Neanderthal area in Europe no solid evidence for continuity have yet been found, the situation in the east seems more promising. Of special interest in this respect is the old hypothesis linking Eastern Micoquian with the Streletskaya culture. These two industries contain some highly specific tool types which may be indicative of their affiliation.

Keywords: Europe, Middle Palaeolithic, Early Upper Palaeolithic, Neanderthals, anatomically modern humans, cultural continuity.

Information about author:

Leonid Vishnyatsky (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Doctor of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]