MAIASP. 2025. No. 20 Kseniya Kolobova (Novosibirsk, Russia), Dmitry Kobylkin (Irkutsk, Russia), Victor Bogdanov (Irkutsk, Russia), Anastasiya Kolyasnikova (Novosibirsk, Russia), Ekaterina Bocharova (Novosibirsk, Russia), Vladimi Kharevich (Novosibirsk, Russia), Igor Tyugashev (Novosibirsk, Russia), Pavel Chistyakov (Novosibirsk, Russia), Alena Kharevich (Novosibirsk, Russia) Paleogeographic and paleoecological context of the second Neanderthal migration wave to the Altai DOI: 10.53737/2713-2021.2025.87.29.012 Access this article (PDF File) Pages: 167—180 |
The investigation of ancient migration processes assumes particular scientific importance within current paradigms that emphasize population movements as the principal driver of technological innovation diffusion during the Pleistocene, rather than local development. This study examines potential migration routes of Neanderthal populations from Eastern Europe to the Altai region, representing one of the earliest documented instances of intercontinental hominin dispersal. The precise identification of the source population, establishment of the migration's geographic origin with its associated cultural tradition, and determination of chronological parameters have facilitated the development of nuanced migration scenarios through the archaeological evidence and advanced spatial analytical techniques. Our comprehensive analysis, incorporating paleogeographic data and critical reappraisal of existing migration hypotheses, proposes a model of Late European Neanderthal expansion during MIS 4 along the North Caspian corridor. This model is grounded in an interdisciplinary framework that synthesizes evidence of persistent behavioral patterns, temporal variations in paleoecological conditions, distribution of critical subsistence resources, paleohydrological transformations in the Caspian region, and the geographical configuration of archaeological sites. The proposed analytical approach not only reconstructs probable migration pathways but also illuminates the complex relationship between hominin adaptive strategies and evolving environmental circumstances during this pivotal period of Pleistocene population dynamics. |
Key words: migrations, Neanderthals, Late Pleistocene, paleogeography, paleoecology |
Received July19, 2025 Accepted for publication October 20, 2025 |
About the authors:
Kolobova Kseniya (Novosibirsk, Russia). Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, SB RAS (IAET SB RAS) E-mail: kolobovak@yandex.ru Kobylkin Dmitry (Irkutsk, Russia). Candidate of Geographical Sciences, V.B. Sochava Institute of Geography, SB RAS E-mail: grembrandt@inbox.ru Bogdanov Victor (Irkutsk, Russia). Candidate of Geographical Sciences, V.B. Sochava Institute of Geography, SB RAS E-mail: victvss@gmail.com Kolyasnikova Anastasiya (Novosibirsk, Russia). Junior Researcher, IAET SB RAS E-mail: kns0471@gmail.com Bocharova Ekaterina (Novosibirsk, Russia). Junior Researcher, IAET SB RAS E-mail: bocharova.e@gmail.com Kharevich Vladimi (Novosibirsk, Russia). Candidate of Historical Sciences, IAET SB RAS E-mail: mihalich84@mail.ru Tyugashev Igor (Novosibirsk, Russia). Junior Researcher, IAET SB RAS E-mail: tgshgr@yandex.ru Chistyakov Pavel (Novosibirsk, Russia). Junior Researcher, IAET SB RAS E-mail: pavelchist@gmail.com Kharevich Alena (Novosibirsk, Russia). Corresponding Author, Candidate of Historical Sciences, IAET SB RAS E-mail: aliona.shalagina@yandex.ru |