The ecology and adaptation of Neanderthals during the non-analogue environment of Oxygen Isotope Stage 3

The ecology of Neanderthals is discussed using an analysis of the fauna present in Europe during OIS 3, the period during which they became extinct. The environment of the Neanderthals is demonstrated to be without modern analogue. The non-analogue nature is characterised by the combination of mammals living together in OIS 3 Europe that are not found in sympatry today as well as the extinct elements of the fauna. The singularity of OIS 3, in terms of the arrival of modern humans and climatic variability, has been formerly implicated in the extinction of the Neanderthals. These perspectives are discussed in the light of related work on evolution and extinction. Finally, the cold-temperature adaptations of Neanderthals, such as their robusticity and limb proportions, are considered in the light of the interpretations of similar traits in other animals in the Late Pleistocene. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.