Rurensis

Rurensis is a term used to describe a hypothetical or extinct species of human that is believed to have inhabited the rural areas of Europe during the Upper Paleolithic period, approximately 40,000 to 10,000 years ago. The concept of Rurensis was proposed by the French archaeologist Jean Clottes in the 1990s, based on the analysis of human remains found in the Grotte du Renne in the Dordogne region of France. These remains, known as the "Renne Man," were dated to around 24,000 years ago and were initially thought to represent a previously unknown species of human.

However, subsequent research has cast doubt on the existence of Rurensis as a distinct species. The Renne Man remains have been re-evaluated and are now generally considered to be a member of the Neanderthal species, Homo neanderthalensis. Additionally, the archaeological context and dating of the Renne Man have been called into question, with some researchers suggesting that the remains may have been re-deposited or contaminated.

Despite these challenges, the concept of Rurensis has had a significant impact on the study of human evolution and the peopling of Europe. It has highlighted the importance of considering the role of rural environments in human history and has encouraged further research into the complex interplay between different human species and populations during the Upper Paleolithic.