Faculty Publications
Title
Modeling the Disappearance of the Neanderthals Using Concepts of Population Dynamics and Ecology
Publication Date
2018
Disciplines
Applied Mathematics | Biology | Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | Non-linear Dynamics | Ordinary Differential Equations and Applied Dynamics
Abstract
Current hypotheses regarding the disappearance of Neanderthals (NEA) in Europe fall into two main categories: climate change, and competition. Here we review current research and existing mathematical models that deal with this question, and we propose an approach that incorporates and permits the investigation of the current hypotheses. We have developed a set of differential equations that model population dynamics of anatomically modern humans (AMH) and NEA, their ecological relations to prey species, and their mutual interactions. The model allows investigators to explore each of the two main categories or combinations of both, as well as various forms of competition and/or interference within the context of competition.
The model is designed to include a wide variety of hypotheses and associated archaeological evidence, not focused on a particular hypothesis regarding NEA extinction. It therefore provides investigators with a model to impartially examine various hypotheses (individually or in combination) regarding climatic effects, differential resource use, differences in birth/death rates and carrying capacities, competition, interference, disease, interbreeding, and cultural distinctions that might have led to the extinction of NEA. Moreover, the model accommodates the design of scenarios concerning—for example—population growth, hunting, competitive interactions, cultural differences, and climatic influences to investigate which concepts best explain the rapid disappearance of NEA.
In addition, our model is a modification of the classical Lotka-Volterra model for a wide range of any two populations competing for a common resource. Specifically, our model explicitly includes the resource as an additional variable, a dependence of important population parameters on resource, as well as accommodates treating one of the populations as invasive.
Document Type
Accepted Version
Rights
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Original Citation
Michael F. Roberts and Stephen E. Bricher
Modeling the disappearance of the Neanderthals using principles of population dynamics and ecology.
The Journal of Archaeological Science, 2018, volume 100, pages 16-31
doi:10.1016/j.jas.2018.09.012
DigitalCommons@Linfield Citation
Roberts, Michael F. and Bricher, Stephen E., "Modeling the Disappearance of the Neanderthals Using Concepts of Population Dynamics and Ecology" (2018). Faculty Publications. Accepted Version. Submission 13.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/biolfac_pubs/13
Included in
Biology Commons, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, Non-linear Dynamics Commons, Ordinary Differential Equations and Applied Dynamics Commons
Comments
This article is the author-created version that incorporates referee comments. It is the accepted-for-publication version. The content of this version may be identical to the published version (the version of record) save for value-added elements provided by the publisher (e.g., copy editing, layout changes, or branding consistent with the rest of the publication).