Contextualising the La Ferrassie 1 Homo neanderthalensis skeleton through palaeoproteomic analysis and radiocarbon dating

Overview

The La Ferrassie 1 skeleton represents one of the most complete Homo neanderthalensis individuals on record, yet its stratigraphic provenance and chronological placement have remained ambiguous due to early excavation protocols and incomplete archival documentation. This study employs integrated methodologies combining archival analysis, paleoproteomics, and accelerated radiocarbon dating to establish refined chronological constraints and depositional context for this specimen, addressing a significant gap in understanding Neandertal paleobiology and behavioral patterns during the Middle-to-Upper Paleolithic transition.

Methods and approach

Archival research was conducted to trace the excavation history and associated materials of the La Ferrassie 1 skeleton. Sixty-four faunal bone fragments stored with LF1 at the Musée de l'Homme were subjected to taxonomic identification through paleoproteomics analysis. Six specimens were selected for radiocarbon dating based on taxonomic identification and preservation quality. Bayesian modeling was applied to integrate multiple radiocarbon dates, establishing probability distributions for the depositional event timing. Results were contextualized against previously established optically stimulated luminescence intervals and the known temporal distribution of the Châtelperronian technocomplex at the site.

Key Findings

Paleoproteomics identified 50 of 64 bone fragments as Bovidae, with minor constituents identified as Cervidae and Elephantidae. Radiocarbon dating of six faunal specimens, combined with Bayesian modeling, produced calibrated age estimates placing the faunal assemblage between 43,270-39,060 cal BP (95.4% probability range), with the modeled deposition event constrained to 42,610-39,830 cal BP (95.4% probability range). These estimates fall within the previously proposed optically stimulated luminescence interval and substantially narrow the chronological window. The refined chronology aligns securely with the documented temporal span of the Châtelperronian technocomplex at La Ferrassie and broader western European distribution. Taphonomic evidence and spatial association patterns remain compatible with an intrusive depositional scenario for LF1.

Implications

The refined radiocarbon chronology establishes a more precise temporal framework for contextualizing La Ferrassie 1 within the Middle-to-Upper Paleolithic transition, a critical interval for understanding Neandertal behavioral variability and interaction with concurrent cultural complexes. The coincidence of the LF1 chronology with Châtelperronian occupation at the site supports interpretations of temporal overlap and potential behavioral associations, though the depositional mechanism remains equivocal regarding intentional burial versus post-depositional intrusion. These findings underscore the value of integrating archival evidence with molecular and radiometric techniques to resolve ambiguities inherent in assemblages derived from early archaeological excavations.