%0 Journal Article
%A Hopkins, Rachel J. A.
%A Hajdinjak, Mateja
%A Šefčáková, Alena
%A Comeskey, Dan
%A Devièse, Thibaut
%A Higham, Tom F. G.
%+ Advanced DNA Sequencing Techniques, Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Max Planck Society
%T Single amino acid radiocarbon dating of two Neanderthals found at Šal’a (Slovakia) : 
%G eng
%U https://hdl.handle.net/21.11116/0000-000A-1054-5
%R 10.1017/RDC.2021.113
%7 2022-02-16
%D 2022
%8 16.02.2022
%* Review method: peer-reviewed
%X Human remains from the (late) Middle Paleolithic remain rare. Improving our understanding of their spatio-temporal distribution is essential for obtaining insights into human evolution and the dynamics between Neanderthals and early Anatomically Modern Humans (AMHs). We present the single-amino-acid radiocarbon dating and ancient DNA results from the only Neanderthal skeletal remains known in Slovakia (Šal’a I and Šal’a II). As they were found without archaeological context and in secondary deposition, recontextualization is important. By employing the hydroxyproline radiocarbon dating method, we were able to successfully counteract contamination issues and circumvent problems caused by highly degraded collagen. By contrast, DNA analysis did not detect any endogenous DNA at the limits of our resolution. We conclude that the radiocarbon ages of >44,800 BP (OxA-X-2731-16) and >45,100 (OxA-X-2731-15) firmly place the two individuals in the Middle Paleolithic, and before the arrival of AMHs to the region. Furthermore, indirect evidence based on morphology and possibly related faunal remains suggest ages younger than 100 ka. This time frame coincides with a period in which Neanderthal populations were highly dispersed in Europe, yet in decline.
%K ancient DNA, 
Middle Paleolithic, 
Neanderthals, 
radiocarbon dating
%J Radiocarbon
%V 64
%& 87
%P 87 - 100
%@ 0033-82221945-5755