ESR Dating of Micoquian Industry and Neanderthal Remains at Kůlna Cave, Czech Republic

Electron spin resonance (ESR) and mass spectrometric U-series dating has been carried out on teeth recovered from Kůlna cave during the excavations of 1961–76. Linear and early uptake (LU and EU) age estimates are similar due to low internal U content of the teeth. In general, ESR ages decrease upward in the section, but teeth from stone-rich (“lumpy”) layers give anomalously young ages, due to uneven dose-rate distribution. Elephant molars also give anomalously low ages, apparently due to self-absorption of gamma dose. Disregarding anomalous data, earliest appearance of Micoquian lithics and last occurrence ofDicerorhinus kirchbergensisin layer 9b is dated to 69±8 ka, which places them near the oxygen isotope stage (OIS) 5a/4 boundary. Neanderthal remains and the latest occurrence of Micoquian lithics in level 7a are dated to 50±5 ka, in good agreement with an uncalibrated radiocarbon date for this level of about 45 ka. The interstadial character of the fauna of this level also agrees with its date which places it in OIS 3. We also report that three stadial/interstadial cycles recognized in the lithological, faunal and palynological record of levels 9b through 7a at Kölna occurred during the timespan from about 70 to 50 ka.