Complexity in the Middle to Upper Paleolithic Transition in Peninsular Southern Europe and application of refugium concepts

During the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition in Balkan, Italian and Iberian peninsulas of southern Europe, late Neanderthal early Anatomically Modern Human (AMH) populations may have overlapped some capacity. Many hypotheses models for interval suggest that remained in, or migrated to, refugial zones while AMHs colonized areas not suitable for, abandoned by, Neanderthals. However, many been conclusively tested due general issues impeding a clear understanding relevant archeological record because lack specificity defining applying term ‘refugium’. This paper briefly summarizes what is known about European Peninsulas discusses new directions use refugium concepts study extinction AMH dispersal. We highlight complexity each region studies refugia more generally. Finally, we make an appeal generating local, multi-proxy paleoenvironmental paleoclimatic records address these complexities so integrating explanations can be properly formulated tested.