The Open Anthropology Journal

2008, 1 : 26-32
Published online 2008 July 16. DOI: 10.2174/1874912700801010026
Publisher ID: TOANTHJ-1-26

Modern Human's Expansion in Eurasia: One Flew East…

Pavel M. Dolukhanov
School of Historical Studies, Newcastle University, Armstrong Building, Newcastle, UK.

ABSTRACT

The initial expansion of anatomically modern humans (AMH) occurred during a hyperarid event in Africa that occurred 135-75 ka. Large-scale AMH spread in northern Eurasia started during the Middle Weichselian glacial maximum, and proceeded during the subsequent mild interstadial (60-40 ka ago). This expansion which encompassed the polar regions and southern Siberia proceeded at a remarkably rapid pace, suggesting the entire area being taken up by uniform ‘periglacial’ landscape, equally suitable for AMH habitation. The ‘transitional’ industries (Chatelperronian, Szeletian, Streletsian etc) have seen archaeological manifestations of early AMH expansion.

Keywords:

Northern eurasia, anatomically modern humans (AMH), palaeolithic, heinrich events.