Objectives

In order to reach the overall aims, the DYNASTY project has the following interrelated primary objectives (hereafter Obj.):

OBJ.1 : Examine the impact of the climatic fluctuations on Southern Poland and the Pannonian Basin ecosystems.

This objective's answer requires the study with a high-resolution approach of continuous sedimentary sections dated between MIS 5e and MIS 3. In particular, these sections should be provided with:
•Precise chronologies derived from magnetostratigraphic data by recognizing key and well-dated geomagnetic polarity excursions – Blake and Laschamp events (see below) – integrated with OSL and 14C dating.
•Integrated pollen, geochemical, and lithostratigraphic/rock-magnetic analyses to reconstruct the record of climate variability to be attached to the aforementioned chronology to provide detailed time-paleoenvironment reconstructions for the studied sections.

OBJ.2: Assess the patterns of Neanderthals' settlement dynamics in relation to climatic changes.

Answering this objective requires:
•The availability of archaeological sites documenting Neanderthals' occupations during the Late Middle Paleolithic.
•The accurate chronological determination of the archaeological levels present in these sites.
•A detailed comparative analysis of the Neanderthals' technological strategies during the Late Middle Paleolithic.

OBJ.3: Identify the presence of cryptic refugia in Central Europe during the Late Middle Paleolithic.

Answering this objective requires:
•The cross-comparison of high-resolution environmental data with precise information on the chronology of Neanderthals' occupations.
•Detailed comparison of the Neanderthals' technological strategies in Southern Poland and Pannonian Basin.

these Objectives will be translated into five Work Packages (WP).