TY - JOUR

T1 - The Northern Route for Human dispersal in Central and Northeast Asia

T2 - New evidence from the site of Tolbor-16, Mongolia

AU - Zwyns, Nicolas

AU - Paine, Cleantha H.

AU - Tsedendorj, Bolorbat

AU - Talamo, Sahra

AU - Fitzsimmons, Kathryn E.

AU - Gantumur, Angaragdulguun

AU - Guunii, Lkhundev

AU - Davakhuu, Odsuren

AU - Flas, Damien

AU - Dogandžić, Tamara

AU - Doerschner, Nina

AU - Welker, Frido

AU - Gillam, J. Christopher

AU - Noyer, Joshua B.

AU - Bakhtiary, Roshanne S.

AU - Allshouse, Aurora F.

AU - Smith, Kevin N.

AU - Khatsenovich, Arina M.

AU - Rybin, Evgeny P.

AU - Byambaa, Gunchinsuren

AU - Hublin, Jean-Jacques

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - The fossil record suggests that at least two major human dispersals occurred across the Eurasian steppe during the Late Pleistocene. Neanderthals and Modern Humans moved eastward into Central Asia, a region intermittently occupied by the enigmatic Denisovans. Genetic data indicates that the Denisovans interbred with Neanderthals near the Altai Mountains (South Siberia) but where and when they met H. sapiens is yet to be determined. Here we present archaeological evidence that document the timing and environmental context of a third long-distance population movement in Central Asia, during a temperate climatic event around 45,000 years ago. The early occurrence of the Initial Upper Palaeolithic, a techno-complex whose sudden appearance coincides with the first occurrence of H. sapiens in the Eurasian steppes, establishes an essential archaeological link between the Siberian Altai and Northwestern China . Such connection between regions provides empirical ground to discuss contacts between local and exogenous populations in Central and Northeast Asia during the Late Pleistocene.

AB - The fossil record suggests that at least two major human dispersals occurred across the Eurasian steppe during the Late Pleistocene. Neanderthals and Modern Humans moved eastward into Central Asia, a region intermittently occupied by the enigmatic Denisovans. Genetic data indicates that the Denisovans interbred with Neanderthals near the Altai Mountains (South Siberia) but where and when they met H. sapiens is yet to be determined. Here we present archaeological evidence that document the timing and environmental context of a third long-distance population movement in Central Asia, during a temperate climatic event around 45,000 years ago. The early occurrence of the Initial Upper Palaeolithic, a techno-complex whose sudden appearance coincides with the first occurrence of H. sapiens in the Eurasian steppes, establishes an essential archaeological link between the Siberian Altai and Northwestern China . Such connection between regions provides empirical ground to discuss contacts between local and exogenous populations in Central and Northeast Asia during the Late Pleistocene.

U2 - 10.1038/s41598-019-47972-1

DO - 10.1038/s41598-019-47972-1

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 31409814

VL - 9

JO - Scientific Reports

JF - Scientific Reports

SN - 2045-2322

M1 - 11759

ER -