Cambridge Archaeol J 15 (2)

The article presents the initial results from the S2AGES data base of calibrated radiocarbon estimates from western Europe in the period 25,000--10,000 years ago. The authors' aim is to present a population history of this sub-continental region by providing a chronologically-secure framework for the interpretation of data from genetics and archaeology. In particular, they define five population events in this period, using dates-as-data, and examine the implications for the archaeology of Late Glacial colonization. They contrast this detailed regional approach to the larger project which they call the cognitive origins synthesis that includes historical linguistics in the reconstruction of population history. They conclude that only archaeology can currently provide the framework for population history and the evaluation of genetic data. Includes