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Populations headed south? The Gravettian from a palaeodemographic point of view

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2017

Andreas Maier  and
Andreas Zimmermann
Andreas Maier*
Affiliation:
Institute of Prehistory, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Kochstrasse 4/18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
Andreas Zimmermann
Affiliation:
Institute of Prehistory, University of Cologne, Weyertal 125, 50923 Cologne, Germany
*
*Author for correspondence (Email: and.maier@fau.de)
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Abstract

The Gravettian is known for its technological innovations and artisanal craftwork. At the same time, continued climatic deterioration led to the coldest and driest conditions since the arrival of Homo sapiens sapiens in Europe. This article examines the palaeodemographic development and provides regionally differentiated estimates for both the densities and the absolute numbers of people. A dramatic population decline characterises the later part of the Gravettian, while the following Last Glacial Maximum experienced consolidation and renewed growth. The results suggest that the abandonment of the northern areas was not a result of migration processes, but of local population extinctions, coinciding with a loss of typological and technological complexity. Extensive networks probably assured the maintenance of a viable population.

Keywords

Western EuropeCentral EuropeGravettianpalaeodemographymigration/local extinctioncultural complexityminimum viable population
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 91 , Issue 357 , June 2017 , pp. 573 - 588
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd, 2017 

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