Session Details

The Upper Pleistocene corresponds, at least, to the last interglacial-glacial cycle (MIS 5-2) characterized by plenty of well-studied stratigraphic sequences (continental, marine, Iceland) and terrestrial sites (archaeological, paleontological). A very detailed chronoclimatic frame may be proposed for this time period, notably marked by many short and abrupt climatic phases (such as Heinrich and Dansgaard- Oeschger events) and supported by a large radiometric database. This is especially true for Western and Central Europe where Quaternary and prehistoric studies have developed since the 19th century. Information has become particularly abundant over the past few decades, using multiple proxies (floral, faunal, abiotic). Moreover this time period is interesting because of significant anthropological changes, exemplified by the disappearance of the Neanderthals and the expansion of modern Homo, with social and technological innovations (various techno-complexes dispersed through space and time) and the use of art symbols. The Upper Palaeolithic is marked by a general growing demographic trend associated with a diversification of subsistence resources. This symposium presents new developments to build an interdisciplinary synthesis in spatial analysis, ecological modelling, paleobiodiversity dynamics (both from faunas and floras), integrated cultural contexts, and high-resolution climatic frameworks. Approaches based on database and statistical methods can be prioritized and several spatio-temporal scales (micro- to macro-) and methods (GIS, biogeochemical) can be integrated. One of the goals is to explore biogeographical factors affecting animal and plant communities and hominids/ 2 cultural dispersals. Within this broad scope, the participants will tackle a range of perspectives (not limited), as, for instance, a better definition of environmental zones, interactions between biodiversity and climatic changes, main faunal events (dispersals, extinction, endemism), relations between biotic and archaeological distributions, adaptive human responses (socio- technological implications, hunting-processing strategies), and temporal variability in the faunal and/or floral record. One objective is to bring together archaeologists, palaeontologists, climate specialists, and geoscientists to enhance environmental reconstructions and reach insights about human behaviour and its variability, linked or not with natural environment.