Precise dating of middle to late Villafranchian mammalian paleofaunae from the Upper Allier River valley (French Massif Central) using U–Pb geochronology on volcanic zircons

The French Massif Central represents one of the rare occurrences in Europe where lower Pleistocene fossil deposits are associated to a substantial volcanic activity. Thanks abundance zircons differentiated products Monts-Dore/Guéry stratovolcano, we were able for first time use U/Pb geochronology on zircon precisely date deposits. Zircon, weathering-proof heavy mineral, was dispersed over landscape through Plinian eruptions, and quickly reworked fossil-bearing sedimentary Five Villafranchian sites Upper Allier River valley (French Central) have been dated: Chilhac (MNQ17b, 2.285 ± 0.046 Ma), Mont Coupet (2.274 0.032 Senèze (reference locality MNQ18, 2.100 0.029 Ma, confirming previously determined 2.18–2.10 Ma 40Ar/39Ar ages), Blassac-La Girondie (MNQ19, 1.946 Vazeilles (1.843 0.028 Ma). These new chronological data constrain duration MNQ18 central France about 200 ka. confirmation an old age deposit indicates that MNQ19 biozone started significantly earlier than thought.