From the Middle to the Upper Pleistocene : Origins and diversification of the Middle Palaeolithic in Northwest France

International audienceThe first settlement of Northern Europe occurred at the end of the Lower Pleistocene, then in a more palpable way during the long interglacial phases of the second half of the Middle Pleistocene. The North of France, and the whole of Northern Europe underwent marked climatic variations during the Quaternary, linked to the succession of Glacial-Interglacial cycles. During the second half of the Middle Pleistocene, Homo heidelbergensis evolves slowly towards the Neanderthal form, undoubtedly alongside societal changes. A first isolated sign of Levallois debitage is recorded at Cagny-La Garenne, during isotopic stage 11, around 450ka. During the Middle and Upper Pleistocene in Northern Europe, there is a link between the migratory flows of animal species in relation to climatic cycles and human presence. During the Pleistocene, therefore, land management and the transmission of territorial knowledge appear to concern relatively restricted territories