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The Northern Route for Human dispersal in Central and Northeast Asia: New evidence from the site of Tolbor-16, Mongolia

Zwyns, Nicolas, Paine, Cleantha H., Tsedendorj, Bolorbat, Talamo, Sahra, Fitzsimmons, Kathryn E., Gantumur, Angaragdulguun, Guunii, Lkhundev, Davakhuu, Odsuren, Flas, Damien, Dogandžić, Tamara, Doerschner, Nina, Welker, Frido, Gillam, J. Christopher, Noyer, Joshua B., Bakhtiary, Roshanne S., Allshouse, Aurora F., Smith, Kevin N., Khatsenovich, Arina M., Rybin, Evgeny P., Byambaa, Gunchinsuren, Hublin, Jean-Jacques·2019·Scientific Reports
DOI 10.1038/s41598-019-47972-1PMC PMC6692324
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Abstract

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.

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Figures

Figure 1 Above (right): Schematic map of the main IUP sites in Central Europe (Bohunician) (A), in the Middle-East (Emirean) (B) and in Asia (D); and the Ust-Ishim human femur (C). Above (left): View on the T16 site and the Western flank of Tolbor Valley. Below: Detailed map of the potential IUP sites in the region. 1, Luotuoshi; 2, Ush-Bulak; 3, Malo Yaloman, Cave; 4, Kara-Bom, 5, Ust-Karakol-1 and Denisova Cave; 6, Kara-Tenesh; 7, Derbina sites; 8, Arembovski; 9, Makarovo-IV; 10, Khotyk; 11, Barun-Alan sites; 12, Kamenka and Varvarina Gora; 13, Tolbaga; 14, Podzvonkaya; 15, Egiin-Gol sites (Dörölj 1–2); 16, Tolbor-16 and Tolbor-4; 17, Tsatsyn Ereg; 18, Mojlt’yn-Am; 19, Chiken sites; 20, Tsagan-Agui; 21, Shuiddonggou 1; 22, Khanzat-1; 23, Khavsgayt (and Salkhit); 24, Rashaan Khad; 25, Otson Tsokhio16–18,75–77; Geo-atlas background map).
Figure 1 Above (right): Schematic map of the main IUP sites in Central Europe (Bohunician) (A), in the Middle-East (Emirean) (B) and in Asia (D); and the Ust-Ishim human femur (C). Above (left): View on the T16 site and the Western flank of Tolbor Valley. Below: Detailed map of the potential IUP sites in the region. 1, Luotuoshi; 2, Ush-Bulak; 3, Malo Yaloman, Cave; 4, Kara-Bom, 5, Ust-Karakol-1 and Denisova Cave; 6, Kara-Tenesh; 7, Derbina sites; 8, Arembovski; 9, Makarovo-IV; 10, Khotyk; 11, Barun-Alan sites; 12, Kamenka and Varvarina Gora; 13, Tolbaga; 14, Podzvonkaya; 15, Egiin-Gol sites (Dörölj 1–2); 16, Tolbor-16 and Tolbor-4; 17, Tsatsyn Ereg; 18, Mojlt’yn-Am; 19, Chiken sites; 20, Tsagan-Agui; 21, Shuiddonggou 1; 22, Khanzat-1; 23, Khavsgayt (and Salkhit); 24, Rashaan Khad; 25, Otson Tsokhio16–18,75–77; Geo-atlas background map).CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 2 From left to right: (a) North stratigraphic section at T16 Pit 4, showing the three main stratigraphic units and solifluction lobes 3b-e (3a was restricted to the westernmost part of the section and was not sampled); (b) Standard deviation of the fine (<2 mm) fraction by laser particle size analysis (top axis); (c) Organic matter content relative to mineral matter by loss-on-ignition (%, bottom axis); (d) Gravel content (wt%, top axis); (e) Calcium carbonate content relative to mineral matter by loss-on-ignition (%, hollow dots, top axis) within the sediments at pit 4. Well-sorted primary loess has a low standard deviation; redeposition and soil development affect this (see SI Section 2); the distance between (b,c) (gray area) is therefore a rough proxy for climate, with climatic amelioration indicated where the distance is greater. Gravel is present in the sampled sediments through gravitational input; the proportion of gravel increases during prolonged surface exposure or slow sediment accumulation. Carbonate content increases when evaporation is high relative to precipitation. Archaeological horizons (AH), modelled age of the boundaries between events (SI Section 4), and climatic interpretation using NGRIP as a comparison are also indicated.
Figure 2 From left to right: (a) North stratigraphic section at T16 Pit 4, showing the three main stratigraphic units and solifluction lobes 3b-e (3a was restricted to the westernmost part of the section and was not sampled); (b) Standard deviation of the fine (<2 mm) fraction by laser particle size analysis (top axis); (c) Organic matter content relative to mineral matter by loss-on-ignition (%, bottom axis); (d) Gravel content (wt%, top axis); (e) Calcium carbonate content relative to mineral matter by loss-on-ignition (%, hollow dots, top axis) within the sediments at pit 4. Well-sorted primary loess has a low standard deviation; redeposition and soil development affect this (see SI Section 2); the distance between (b,c) (gray area) is therefore a rough proxy for climate, with climatic amelioration indicated where the distance is greater. Gravel is present in the sampled sediments through gravitational input; the proportion of gravel increases during prolonged surface exposure or slow sediment accumulation. Carbonate content increases when evaporation is high relative to precipitation. Archaeological horizons (AH), modelled age of the boundaries between events (SI Section 4), and climatic interpretation using NGRIP as a comparison are also indicated.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 3 Reduction sequence model for the blade production in AH6. Asymmetrical reduction (A) produces large blades (Ab) (SI5) used as tools and thick technical blades (Ac); some of the thickest blades are turned into cores to produce small blades/bladelets using the burin-core (B1, B2; B3) or the truncated-facetted methods (B3).
Figure 3 Reduction sequence model for the blade production in AH6. Asymmetrical reduction (A) produces large blades (Ab) (SI5) used as tools and thick technical blades (Ac); some of the thickest blades are turned into cores to produce small blades/bladelets using the burin-core (B1, B2; B3) or the truncated-facetted methods (B3).CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 4 Bayesian model of T16 radiocarbon dates and the mean 14C date of Ust-Ishim H. sapiens femur. The IUP assemblage is associated with Unit 3c, and later UP assemblages are associated with Unit 3b and Unit 2/3a. The calibrated date of the earliest H. sapiens fossil in Northeast Asia, Ust-Ishim (Fig. 1) is in red. Dates are calibrated using IntCal1378; the model and boundaries were calculated using OxCal 4.379 including a General t-type Outlier Model80. The results are aligned with the NGRIP δ18O climate record.
Figure 4 Bayesian model of T16 radiocarbon dates and the mean 14C date of Ust-Ishim H. sapiens femur. The IUP assemblage is associated with Unit 3c, and later UP assemblages are associated with Unit 3b and Unit 2/3a. The calibrated date of the earliest H. sapiens fossil in Northeast Asia, Ust-Ishim (Fig. 1) is in red. Dates are calibrated using IntCal1378; the model and boundaries were calculated using OxCal 4.379 including a General t-type Outlier Model80. The results are aligned with the NGRIP δ18O climate record.CC BY · PubMed Central

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Metadata

Authors
Zwyns, N., Paine, C. H., Tsedendorj, B., Talamo, S., Fitzsimmons, K. E., Gantumur, A., Guunii, L., Davakhuu, O., Flas, D., Dogandžić, T., Doerschner, N., Welker, F., Gillam, J. C., Noyer, J. B., Bakhtiary, R. S., Allshouse, A. F., Smith, K. N., Khatsenovich, A. M., Rybin, E. P., Byambaa, G., & Hublin, J.-J.
ORCID
Venue
Scientific Reports
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2019-08-13
Volume
9
Issue
1
ISSN
2045-2322
DOI
10.1038/s41598-019-47972-1
PMC
PMC6692324
Cited by
82
References
10
Language
en
Licence
Funders
  • Leakey Foundation
  • Hellman Foundation
  • Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
  • National Science Foundation
  • Villum Fonden (17649)

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