Aurignacians lived in Mammoth Steppe during MIS 3

March 06, 2026General

Source: The First Europeans Who Conquered Neanderthals 45k years ago by Timeless with Fred Snyder

During Marine Isotope Stage 3, Aurignacians roamed a cold, dry steppe‑tundra (the Mammoth Steppe) with mammoths, reindeer, bison and wild horses. Sea levels were 60‑80 m lower, linking Britain to mainland Europe via Doggerland.

Key facts

Aurignacians lived during Marine Isotope Stage 3 (relatively unstable pre-glacial period)
Temperatures were 4-6°C lower than modern values
Environment was cold, dry, windy, dominated by steppe and tundra (mammoth steppe)
Large grazing animals included mammoth, reindeer, bison, and wild horses
Sea levels were 60-80 meters lower than today
Doggerland connected British Isles to mainland Europe
Frequent abrupt climate swings (Dansgaard-Osceler events) occurred over decades to centuries
Glaciers were expanding in northern Europe though much of central and southern Europe remained ice-free