Leiden University Student Repository

Simons, Rianne (2011)

The evolution of Apodemus and Micromys in Northwestern Europe during the Pleistocene. Implications for archaeological research

Master thesis | Archaeology (MA/MSc)

Though research on small mammals may seem of no relevance to archaeology, it has already proven itself useful with the Mimomys/Arvicola boundary. This marker in time is important when dating sites where humans were once present. The aim of this research was to investigate whether the genera Apodemus and Micromys could be a similar marker in time during the Pleistocene in Northwestern Europe and could contribute to a reconstruction of the climate and environment. Furthermore, this thesis sheds a light on the debate on the age of Neumark- Nord I. To do this, the Apodemus and Micromys molars from four different episodes (Early, Middle and Late Pleistocene) were studied; Tegelen-Maalbeek, Miesenheim I, Sesselfelsgrotte and Miesenheim II. Tegelen-Maalbeek dates to the Early Pleistocene (Tiglian), Miesenheim I to the Middle Pleistocene (the end of the Cromerian), Sesselfelsgrotte to the Late Pleistocene Oerel-Glinde interstadial and Miesenheim II to the Allerød interstadial. The molars...Show moreThough research on small mammals may seem of no relevance to archaeology, it has already proven itself useful with the Mimomys/Arvicola boundary. This marker in time is important when dating sites where humans were once present. The aim of this research was to investigate whether the genera Apodemus and Micromys could be a similar marker in time during the Pleistocene in Northwestern Europe and could contribute to a reconstruction of the climate and environment. Furthermore, this thesis sheds a light on the debate on the age of Neumark- Nord I. To do this, the Apodemus and Micromys molars from four different episodes (Early, Middle and Late Pleistocene) were studied; Tegelen-Maalbeek, Miesenheim I, Sesselfelsgrotte and Miesenheim II. Tegelen-Maalbeek dates to the Early Pleistocene (Tiglian), Miesenheim I to the Middle Pleistocene (the end of the Cromerian), Sesselfelsgrotte to the Late Pleistocene Oerel-Glinde interstadial and Miesenheim II to the Allerød interstadial. The molars from the sites were separated per species so the evolution of every species could be studied. The species that is special interest is Apodemus maastrichtiensis, which does not occur after the Eemian. The species was not yet present in Tegelen-Maalbeek, though present during the Cromerian. All other species did not show convincing differences over time or a limited occurrence, making them useless as a time marker. Nevertheless they can contribute to the reconstruction of the landscape and climate. Apodemus needs high vegetation, whereas Micromys needs a close vicinity to water. Both occur in temperate climates. The species Apodemus maastrichtiensis was used as a time marker to attribute the Palaeolithic site Neumark-Nord I to the Saalian by Heinrich (2010). It is clearly distinguishable from larger Apodemus species at the site. However Neumark-Nord I probably was an Eemian site, because of its stratigraphical position. This implies that Apodemus maastrichtiensis was present during the Eemian and no longer can be used as a stratigraphical marker for the Saalian. Altogether, Apodemus maastrichtiensis can be considered a marker in time, since it has not yet been discovered after the Eemian. The genus Micromys and the other species from the genus Apodemus are not suitable as time markers; however they can contribute to climate and landscape reconstruction. This means that they can tell archaeologists a lot about the environment humans lived in, making small mammals of great relevance.Show less

Author

Simons, Rianne

Faculty

Faculty of Archaeology

Supervisors

Kolfschoten, M. van

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en