The Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition in Northern Europe: the Lincombian-Ranisian-Jerzmanowician and the issue of acculturation of the last Neanderthals

Abstract

During the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition, a technocomplex known as the Lincombian-Ranisian-Jerzmanowician (LRJ), characterized by the presence of leaf-points made from blades, was found across the north-western European plain from Wales to Poland. Given the rarity and paucity of these assemblages, often mixed with other industries in collections from ancient excavations, many scholars have questioned the relevance of the definition of such a technocomplex. Nonetheless, based on technological and typological as well as chronological and geographic considerations, a precise study of available data shows that the LRJ cannot be considered as a facies of another technocomplex (Aurignacian, Szeletian or Bohunician). Identification of the LRJ also allows questions generally related to the ‘transitional industries’ to be tackled, such as their relation to either the last Neanderthals or the first European Homo sapiens sapiens and whether this complex is best explained as an independent development or as the result of acculturation. Given available data, the LRJ appears more likely to have been authored by Neanderthals, and is unlikely to be the result of acculturation processes.

Keywords:

• Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition
• Lincombian-Ranisian-Jerzmanowician
• Aurignacian
• lithic technology
• Neanderthals

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Rebecca Miller for improving the English text, and also to Rob Dinnis for his help. I also thank the reviewers and the editor for their help and comments. This research was funded by the Royal Museum of Art and History (Brussels) and the Fond National de la Recherche Scientifique.