The Initial dispersion of Anatomically Modern Humans in Europe? The Early Aurignacian in Central Europe and its relationship with neighbouring areas.

International audienceThe Early or Typical Aurignacian (I) has long been equated with the first fully Upper Paleolithic cultural entity in Europe. Moreover, it is commonly assumed that the appearance of the Upper Paleolithic was the result of an east-west dispersal of anatomically modern humans (AMH) into Europe. Central Europe thus plays a key role for understanding the formation of the Aurignacian and the initial dispersal of AMH into Europe. This paper reviews some of the available evidence concerning the Early Aurignacian in Central Europe. The Early Aurignacian is defined not only chronologically, but more effectively through a typo-technological perspective of the lithic production. Based on the empirical evidence, the meaning of Early Aurgnacian industries in the context of the appearance and spread of AMH in Europe is discussed