Objectives

Through COEXIST, we aim to resolve key outstanding questions on Neanderthal-Homo sapiens coexistence in Europe by:

(1) Focussing on the time period prior to 45,000 years ago, moving away from the strong emphasis on understanding the transition from the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic 40,000 years ago.

(2) Exploring the archaeological record of central and southeast Europe, where recent discoveries indicate that Homo sapiens were already present 46,000 years ago and overlapped for several millennia with local Neanderthals.

(3) Applying the most recent advances in archaeological science, proteomics and genetics to maximise data from small bone fragments, which have been largely excluded from analyses to date.

(4) Extensively integrating biomolecular and zooarchaeological data to unravel variations in human subsistence, including site use, prey selection, carcass acquisition, transport and processing.

(5) Developing a high-resolution regional chronology for late Neanderthal and early Homo sapiens occupation by applying state-of-the-art methods of sample selection and radiocarbon dating.