Population dynamics and socio-spatial organization of the Aurignacian: Scalable quantitative demographic data for western and central Europe

Abstract

Demographic estimates are presented for the Aurignacian techno-complex (~42,000 to 33,000 y calBP) and discussed in the context of socio-spatial organization of hunter-gatherer populations. Results of the analytical approach applied estimate a mean of 1,500 persons (upper limit: 3,300; lower limit: 800) for western and central Europe. The temporal and spatial analysis indicates an increase of the population during the Aurignacian as well as marked regional differences in population size and density. Demographic increase and patterns of socio-spatial organization continue during the subsequent early Gravettian period. We introduce the concept of Core Areas and Extended Areas as informed analytical spatial scales, which are evaluated against additional chronological and archaeological data. Lithic raw material transport and personal ornaments serve as correlates for human mobility and connectedness in the interpretative framework of this study. Observed regional differences are set in relation with the new demographic data. Our large-scale approach on Aurignacian population dynamics in Europe suggests that past socio-spatial organization followed socially inherent rules to establish and maintain a functioning social network of extremely low population densities. The data suggest that the network was fully established across Europe during the early phase of the Gravettian, when demographic as well as cultural developments peaked.

The role of foxes in the Palaeolithic economies of the Swabian Jura (Germany)

“…If we apply these results to the hypothesis of Stiner et al (1999), we can predict an increase in the population density of humans from the Aurignacian onwards. This result is consistent with previous studies in the region (Conard et al 2012;Schmidt and Zimmermann 2019).…”

The Chronostratigraphy of the Aurignacian in the Northern Carpathian Basin Based on New Chronometric/Archeological Data from Seňa I (Eastern Slovakia)

“…Our results, along with the high concentration of other large, close-by sites (e.g., Barca and Kechnec localities and other findspots), indicate that by 34 ka B.P., the Aurignacian technocomplex was well established along the Hornád Valley as part of an expanding population in eastern central Europe with the site reflecting a potential seasonal population (Schmidt and Zimmermann 2019;Svoboda 2006) in an area where abundant resources were located within a modest walking radius (< 5 h; Hauck et al 2018). If the purported habitation structures, storage pits, and other "site furniture" from Barca (I, II, and III), Seňa I and Tibava are indeed supported (which is still controversial); they would also strongly intimate a sustained occupation at least on a semi-regular basis (Binford 1979).…”

Late Glacial rapid climate change and human response in the Westernmost Mediterranean (Iberia and Morocco)

“…The decrease in human presence in Southern Iberia was already noted by Straus et al [14], and the increase in sites from the Early to Late Iberomaurusian was recognized in Linstädter et al [25]. Numerous studies have demonstrated the fragility of Upper Palaeolithic groups in Europe due to very low population densities [7,83,84], resulting in highly vulnerable settlement structures and land use patterns.…”