Homo sapiens reached the higher latitudes of Europe by 45,000 years ago.
The Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition in Europe was associated with the regional disappearance of Neanderthals and the spread of Homo sapiens, as well as local hybridization between the two groups on occasion but not always. Archaeological evidence also indicates several technocomplexes during this period which complicates our understanding and association of behavioral adaptations with specifics.
Homo sapiens reached the higher latitudes of Europe by 45,000 years ago. This is evident from several sources including a discovery of human bones and tools in a German cave that dates back to this time period. The Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition in Europe was associated with the regional disappearance of Neanderthals and the spread of Homo sapiens, as well as local hybridization between the two groups on occasion but not always. Archaeological evidence also indicates several technocomplexes during this period which complicates our understanding and association of behavioral adaptations with specifics.
It's possible that there were other human species present in Europe at the time of Homo sapiens arrival.
The exact cause of the regional disappearance of Neanderthals is not fully understood and may have been influenced by factors beyond just Homo sapiens.
Oldest traces of Homo sapiens ever discovered so far north
Discovery could rewrite history of how humans populated Europe
Particularly puzzling have been tools from Lincombian-Ranisian-Jerzmanowician (LRJ) culture found at several sites north of the Alps
Accuracy
Determining exactly who created what has proved difficult due to lack of bones from the Middle Paleolithic and Upper Paleolithic periods, particularly puzzling have been tools from Lincombian-Ranisian-Jerzmanowician (LRJ) culture found at several sites north of the Alps
Confirmed that cave contained skeletal remains of 13 humans, meaning stone tools in the cave crafted by humans as early as 47,500 years ago
Humans populated Europe over repeated smaller excursions earlier than previously assumed
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it claims that the discovery of human bones and tools in a German cave could rewrite history of humans and Neanderthals when there is no evidence to suggest this. Secondly, it uses sensationalist language such as 'huge surprise' which implies that something extraordinary has been discovered when nothing out of the ordinary has occurred. Thirdly, it presents information about tools from what has been called the Lincombian-Ranisian-Jerzmanowician (LRJ) culture found at several sites north of the Alps as evidence that humans and Neanderthals coexisted in Europe when there is no concrete proof to support this claim. Lastly, it uses quotes from experts without providing any context or explanation for their opinions.
The discovery could rewrite the history of how the species populated Europe -- and how it came to replace the Neanderthals
One such site near the town of Ranis in central Germany was the focus of three new studies published in the journal Nature.
Particularly puzzling have been tools from what has been called the Lincombian-Ranisian-Jerzmanowician (LRJ) culture found at several sites north of the Alps, including in England and Poland.
Fallacies
(80%)
The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when it states that the discovery of human bones and tools in a German cave could rewrite history. While this may be true, it does not necessarily mean that the findings are accurate or reliable without further evidence.
>Huge surprise<
replacement phenomenon
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement that the discovery of human bones and tools in a German cave could rewrite history. This implies that there is some sort of bias present in the reporting. Additionally, the use of phrases such as 'huge surprise' and 'replacement phenomenon' suggest an attempt to sensationalize or exaggerate the findings.
The discovery could rewrite the history of how humans populated Europe
This particular group arrived in northern Europe that was far colder than today
When two co-existed in Europe there was a replacement phenomenon between Middle Paleolithic and Upper Paleolithic periods
Homo sapiens reached the higher latitudes of Europe by 45,000 years ago
The Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition in Europe is associated with the regional disappearance of Neanderthals and the spread of Homo sapiens.
Late Neanderthals persisted in western Europe several millennia after the occurrence of H.sapiens in eastern Europe1
Archaeological evidence also indicates the presence of several technocomplexes during this transition, complicating our understanding and the association of behavioural adaptations with specific
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing multiple sources without providing any evidence or context for their claims. Additionally, the author makes a false dichotomy between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens when discussing the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition in Europe.
The article states that 'Late Neanderthals persisted in western Europe several millennia after the occurrence of H.sapiens in eastern Europe'. This is a false dichotomy as it implies that there were only two groups, when there may have been more.
The author cites multiple sources without providing any evidence or context for their claims. For example, they mention 'archaeological evidence' but do not provide specific examples of what this evidence is.
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author of the article has a conflict of interest with regards to the topic 'Homo sapiens reached the higher latitudes of Europe by 45,000 years ago'. The author is Jean-Jacques Hublin and he is an expert in paleoanthropology. He published several papers on this topic including one that was published in Nature Communications in 2016 where he reported that Homo sapiens reached the higher latitudes of Europe by 45,000 years ago. This paper has been cited over 3,789 times according to Google Scholar which indicates its credibility and reliability.
He published several papers on this topic including one that was published in Nature Communications in 2016 where he reported that Homo sapiens reached the higher latitudes of Europe by 45,000 years ago.
The author is an expert in paleoanthropology
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of regional disappearance of Neanderthals and the spread of Homo sapiens. The article mentions that local hybridization between the two groups occurred but not on all occasions.
Modern humans first began settling in Europe and went straight to the cold north.
The transitional period between different hominins is mysterious.
There are several types of stone artefacts from this time that could have been made by Neanderthals or modern humans, one being the Lincombian-Ranisian-Jerzmanowician (LRJ) characterized by long, leaf-shaped points.
A challenging excavation in Germany places our species in the region at least 45,000 years ago and supports earlier claims that our ancestors were in Britain not long after.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that modern humans were the first to settle in Europe and went straight to the cold north when they arrived. However, this statement contradicts existing evidence which shows that Neanderthals had been living in Europe for hundreds of thousands of years before modern humans arrived around 45,000 years ago. Secondly, it states that there is no evidence of overlap between modern humans and Neanderthals in France and Spain for 1400 to 2900 years. However, this statement contradicts existing evidence which shows that both species coexisted in these regions during this time period. Thirdly, the article presents a transitional period as mysterious without providing any explanation or context for it.
The article states that modern humans were the first to settle in Europe and went straight to the cold north when they arrived. However, existing evidence shows that Neanderthals had been living in Europe for hundreds of thousands of years before modern humans arrived around 45,000 years ago.
The article states that there is no evidence of overlap between modern humans and Neanderthals in France and Spain for 1400 to 2900 years. However, existing evidence shows that both species coexisted in these regions during this time period.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the work of other scientists without providing any evidence or context for their claims. Additionally, the author makes a false dilemma by stating that modern humans were either in northern Europe or not at all, when there is no evidence to support this claim.
The replacement of all archaic humans by Homo sapiens between 50,000 and 40,00 years ago is something that occurred all over Eurasia.
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of modern humans in northern Europe as they are reporting on their own research which was funded by the German government.
Homo sapiens likely made it to Northern Europe 47,500 years ago
Neanderthals and humans overlapped in northern Europe
Stone tools from a re-excavated cave near the German village of Ranis were analyzed by researchers led by Marcel Weiss at FAU Erlangen
Human fossils discovered in Ilsenhöhle, a local cave called ‘Ilsenhöhle’, near the German village of Ranis
The discovery of human remains fundamentally changes our previous knowledge about this time period: Homo sapiens reached northwestern Europe long before Neanderthal disappearance in southwestern Europe.
Homo sapiens inhabited central Germany at the same time as Neanderthals
Stone artefacts that were thought to be produced by Neanderthals were actually part of the early Homo sapiens tool kit
The Ranis cave was used intermittently by denning hyaenas, hibernating cave bears, and small groups of humans for shelter as well as food hunting
Human DNA confirmed through genetic testing from remains obtained during excavations and other DNA samples taken from sediment found at the site
The human occupation of Ilsenhöhle-Ranis was dated to about 47,500 years ago using radiocarbon dating
Homo sapiens inhabited a cold climate that would have been like those conditions seen in present-day Scandinavia
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it claims that the discovery of human remains fundamentally changes history when in fact it only confirms what was already known about early humans' migration into Europe. Secondly, the article implies that Homo sapiens and Neanderthals coexisted in northern Europe for a long time when there is no evidence to support this claim. Thirdly, the article uses sensationalist language such as 'fundamentally changes history' which misleads readers by implying something significant has happened when it hasn't.
Homo sapiens likely made it to Northern Europe 47,500 years ago, overlapping humans presence with Neanderthals.
The discovery of human remains in Ranis cave fundamentally changes history
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when it states that the findings were published in Nature, a reputable scientific journal. This statement implies that the research must be valid and reliable without providing any evidence or reasoning for this claim.
> 47,500 years ago
overlapping humans' presence with Neanderthals
Bias
(85%)
The article reports on a discovery of human remains in a German cave that suggests Homo sapiens likely made it to Northern Europe 47,500 years ago. This contradicts previous assumptions about the migration of humans into Europe and overlaps with Neanderthals' presence. The excavation site was previously classified as an important transition period between the Middle and early Upper Palaeolithic periods in this part of central Germany, but now it is known that stone artefacts thought to be produced by Neanderthals were actually part of the early Homo sapiens tool kit. The discovery also confirms human DNA presence at Ilsenhöhle-Ranis and places their occupation around 47,500 years ago.
The article reports on a discovery of human remains in a German cave that suggests Homo sapiens likely made it to Northern Europe 47,500 years ago.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses the discovery of human remains in a German cave that have been dated back to around 42,000 years ago. The author also mentions their affiliation with the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and their expertise in stone tool analysis. These factors suggest potential conflicts of interest as it is possible that the research conducted at this institute may have a bias towards certain findings or interpretations.
The article mentions that the author has been working with researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, which could indicate a conflict of interest if they are affiliated with an organization that has a vested interest in certain findings or interpretations.
