Impact of katabatic winds on the environment of Neanderthals during the Middle Palaeolithic in westernmost Europe

Compilation of the offshore and onshore altitudinal limits loess deposits western France southern England shows that they were deposited by low-level wind fields. These relate to (i) deflation silt-rich sediment extracted from outwash plains not far distant British–Irish Ice Sheet palaeo-rivers Channel, (ii) existence north north-western palaeo-winds deduced particle size analysis heavy mineral distribution, suggest (iii) particles transported strong katabatic winds blowing northern ice-covered regions towards Brittany Normandy. Comparison between main orientation Neanderthal shelters direction perpendicular each other. The dominant was apparently ruled these winds. A small-scale study concentrating on penultimate glaciation in contrast Normandy where accumulated north-facing cliffs, same leeside hills. zones, violently swept Marine Isotope Stage 6 south ice sheet, probably at origin restricted number Neanderthals time England. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.