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Synopsis The postcranial skeleton of Australopithecus afarensis (AL 288–1) exhibits clear adaptations for bipedality, although there is some debate as to the efficiency and frequency of such upright movement. Some researchers argue that... more
Synopsis The postcranial skeleton of Australopithecus afarensis (AL 288–1) exhibits clear adaptations for bipedality, although there is some debate as to the efficiency and frequency of such upright movement. Some researchers argue that AL 288–1 walked with an erect limb like modern humans do, whilst others advocate for a “bent-hip bent-knee” (BHBK) gait, although in recent years the general consensus favors erect bipedalism. To date, no quantitative method has addressed the articulation of the AL 288–1 hip joint, nor its range of motion (ROM) with consideration for joint spacing, used as a proxy for the thickness of the articular cartilage present within the joint spacing which can affect how a joint moves. Here, we employed ROM mapping methods to estimate the joint spacing of AL 288–1’s hip joint in comparison to a modern human and chimpanzee. Nine simulations assessed different joint spacing and tested the range of joint congruency (i.e., ranging from a closely packed socket to l...
Research Interests: Gait and Bipedalism
Research Interests: Evolutionary Biology, Geology, Paleontology, Ecology, Cave, and 4 moreGE, QE, Chronostratigraphy, and QL
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This article reports on the first three systematic excavation seasons at the Neolithic ossuary of Grotte de La Faucille, Belgium. The site was dated on human bone to 4266 ± 40 14C BP (3011-2702 cal BC; 2 sigma), corresponding to the... more
This article reports on the first three systematic excavation seasons at the Neolithic ossuary of Grotte de La Faucille, Belgium. The site was dated on human bone to 4266 ± 40 14C BP (3011-2702 cal BC; 2 sigma), corresponding to the transition from the late to the final Neolithic. The area excavated to date is clearly reworked and the individuals are distributed across the site. Further excavation will focus on the inferior levels at the entrance and inside the cave. This report presents the preliminary analysis of the anthropological and archaeological evidence recorded to date. Five archaeological artefacts were discovered made on bone, tooth and flint. The site has produced skeletal and dental remains of at least 12 humans (MNI 6 juveniles and 6 adults) as well as a number of bone and lithic artefacts. The skeletal remains are fragmentary and some elements, such as the cranium, are highly underrepresented given the number of individuals. The potential to find the remainder of at ...
Research Interests: Geography, Archaeology, Cave, History and archaeology, Excavation, and 3 moreTerrace agriculture, Gn, and Cc
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Estimation of stature from footprint lengths is a common prediction in forensic cases and in palaeoanthropology upon the discovery of fossil footprints. Many studies which have estimated stature from footprints generally use a 'one... more
Estimation of stature from footprint lengths is a common prediction in forensic cases and in palaeoanthropology upon the discovery of fossil footprints. Many studies which have estimated stature from footprints generally use a 'one size fits all' approach that usually involves applying a known ratio of foot length to total stature to do so, although this method has fallen out of practise in forensic cases in recent years but is still commonly used for fossil trace evidence. Yet, we know that substrate and speed can change the dimensions of a footprint, so why are these 'one size fits all' approaches still used today? We tested footprint production across different substrates at a walk, a fast walk and a jog. We calculated how accurately footprint dimensions were impressed between these different conditions and identified sources of error in footprint lengths, and the percentage changes of how significantly a footprint can change in length between different conditions. We provide a table with different ratios that we encourage practitioners/field scientists to refer to and use when estimating stature from footprints, with respect to the substrate on which the footprint was created and the speed at which it was created. We actively encourage researchers to add to this table by testing more substrates so that in the future stature can be more accurately estimated, thus aiding the palaeoanthropological community, but also forensic investigations by statistically highlighting how different conditions can affect trace dimensions.
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Significance Understanding when Neanderthals disappeared is a hotly debated topic. When radiocarbon dating placed the Spy Neanderthals amongst the latest surviving in Northwest Europe, questions were raised regarding the reliability of... more
Significance Understanding when Neanderthals disappeared is a hotly debated topic. When radiocarbon dating placed the Spy Neanderthals amongst the latest surviving in Northwest Europe, questions were raised regarding the reliability of the dates. Using a procedure more efficient in removing contamination and ancient genomic analysis, we show that previous dates produced on Neanderthal specimens from Spy are too young by up to 10,000 y. Our direct radiocarbon dates on the Neanderthals from Spy and those from Engis and Fonds-de-Forêt show a reduction of the uncertainty for the time window corresponding to Neanderthal disappearance in Northwest Europe. This population disappeared at 44,200 to 40,600 cal B.P. (at 95.4% probability). This is also earlier than previous suggestions based on dates on bulk collagen.
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In 1884, Arthur Smith Woodward first met Charles Dawson, a solicitor and industrious amateur collector, antiquarian, geologist, archaeologist and palaeontologist. This began a long association and friendship centred on their mutual... more
In 1884, Arthur Smith Woodward first met Charles Dawson, a solicitor and industrious amateur collector, antiquarian, geologist, archaeologist and palaeontologist. This began a long association and friendship centred on their mutual interest in palaeontology and human evolution. Dawson devised a complicated plot focused around the ancient river gravel deposits at Barkham Manor near the village of Piltdown, Sussex. In these gravels he planted stone tools and fossil mammal remains together with the lower jaw of an ape and numerous modern human cranial bones to deceive the scientific establishment into believing an early human ancestor had been found in his own back yard. Cleverly devised to provide anatomists and archaeologists with evidence for concepts that they wanted to believe were true, Dawson fuelled numerous contentious debates among scientists that quickly attracted international attention. Nothing could be more unfortunate than such a respectable scientist as Arthur Smith Woo...
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Significance We present early evidence linking a high prevalence of caries to a reliance on highly cariogenic wild plant foods in Pleistocene hunter-gatherers from North Africa. This evidence predates other high caries populations and the... more
Significance We present early evidence linking a high prevalence of caries to a reliance on highly cariogenic wild plant foods in Pleistocene hunter-gatherers from North Africa. This evidence predates other high caries populations and the first signs of food production by several thousand years. We infer that increased reliance on wild plants rich in fermentable carbohydrates caused an early shift toward a disease-associated oral microbiota. Systematic harvesting and processing of wild food resources supported a more sedentary lifestyle during the Iberomaurusian than previously recognized. This research challenges commonly held assumptions that high rates of caries are indicative of agricultural societies.
Research Interests: Ancient History, Geography, Archaeology, Archaeobotany, Africa, and 15 moreMass Spectrometry, Biology, Medicine, Humans, Food supply, History and archaeology, Dental Caries, Iberomaurusian, Food habits, Acorn, CARBOHYDRATES, Evolutionary, Medicine and Health Sciences, Agriculturalists, and Hunter Gatherer Archaeology
Since their discovery, Neanderthals have been described as having a marked degree of anteroposterior curvature of the femoral shaft. Although initially believed to be pathological, subsequent discoveries of Neanderthal remains lead... more
Since their discovery, Neanderthals have been described as having a marked degree of anteroposterior curvature of the femoral shaft. Although initially believed to be pathological, subsequent discoveries of Neanderthal remains lead femoral curvature to be considered as a derived Neanderthal feature. A recent study on Neanderthals and middle and early Upper Palaeolithic modern humans found no differences in femoral curvature, but did not consider size-corrected curvature. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to use 3D morphometric landmark and semi-landmark analysis to quantify relative femoral curvature in Neanderthals, Upper Palaeolithic and recent modern humans, and to compare adult bone curvature as part of the overall femoral morphology among these populations. Comparisons among populations were made using geometric morphometrics (3D landmarks) and standard multivariate methods. Comparative material involved all available complete femora from Neanderthal and Upper Palaeolithic modern human, archaeological (Mesolithic, Neolithic, Medieval) and recent human populations representing a wide geographical and lifestyle range. There are significant differences in the anatomy of the femur between Neanderthals and modern humans. Neanderthals have more curved femora than modern humans. Early modern humans are most similar to recent modern humans in their anatomy. Femoral curvature is a good indicator of activity level and habitual loading of the lower limb, indicating higher activity levels in Neanderthals than modern humans. These differences contradict robusticity studies and the archaeological record, and would suggest that femoral morphology, and curvature in particular, in Neanderthals may not be explained by adult behavior alone and could be the result of genetic drift, natural selection or differences in behavior during ontogeny.
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Neanderthal forearms have been described as being very powerful. Different individual features in the lower arm bones have been described to distinguish Neanderthals from modern humans. In this study, the overall morphology of the radius... more
Neanderthal forearms have been described as being very powerful. Different individual features in the lower arm bones have been described to distinguish Neanderthals from modern humans. In this study, the overall morphology of the radius and ulna is considered, and morphological differences among Neanderthals, Upper Paleolithic Homo sapiens and recent H. sapiens are described. Comparisons among populations were made using a combination of 3D geometric morphometrics and standard multivariate methods. Comparative material included all available complete radii and ulnae from Neanderthals, early H. sapiens and archaeological and recent human populations, representing a wide geographical and lifestyle range. There are few differences among the populations when features are considered individually. Neanderthals and early H. sapiens fell within the range of modern human variation. When the suite of measurements and shapes were analyzed, differences and similarities became apparent. The Neanderthal radius is more laterally curved, has a more medially placed radial tuberosity, a longer radial neck, a more antero-posteriorly ovoid head and a well-developed proximal interosseous crest. The Neanderthal ulna has a more anterior facing trochlear notch, a lower M. brachialis insertion, larger relative mid-shaft size and a more medio-lateral and antero-posterior sinusoidal shaft. The Neanderthal lower arm morphology reflects a strong cold-adapted short forearm. The forearms of H. sapiens are less powerful in pronation and supination. Many differences between Neanderthals and H. sapiens can be explained as a secondary consequence of the hyper-polar body proportions of the Neanderthals, but also as retentions of the primitive condition of other hominoids.
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ABSTRACT The appearance of portable artistic objects during the Upper Palaeolithic is characterised by a combination of a wide choice of techniques, use of different materials and a diversity of iconographic expression, with many objects... more
ABSTRACT The appearance of portable artistic objects during the Upper Palaeolithic is characterised by a combination of a wide choice of techniques, use of different materials and a diversity of iconographic expression, with many objects made of bone and antler decorated with animal representations. Taphonomic and experimental approaches have been systematically applied in an effort to understand the technical and artistic procedures followed. In this study, we applied a new combination of 3-dimensional microscopy (focus variation optical microscope) and micro-CT scanning to the analysis of two Magdalenian engraved specimens: a reindeer antler from the site of Neschers (France), engraved with the partial image of a horse in left profile, and a horse metatarsal from Courbet Cave, Penne (France), engraved with a horse head also in left profile. Results of the analysis suggest that both the Neschers and Courbet Cave engravings had been prepared before being carved. The overall contours of the horse body/head were incised first, while anatomical features were added afterwards. In the Neschers case, the incision resulted from the repeated scratching of a previously made incision in order to enlarge the engraving, possibly reflecting the engraver’s aesthetic sense. The combination of the techniques used in this study is applicable to fragile or unique archaeological specimens. Micro-CT scanning, in particular, provides non-invasive means for identifying engravings that are obscured by encrusted sediment. The application of these techniques can potentially open new avenues for the authentication, technical and gestural recognition and interpretation of incised forms and artistic creativity.
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Research Interests: Evolutionary Biology, Archaeology, Computer Science, Anthropology, Human Evolution, and 15 moreMorphometrics, Anthropometry, Principal Component Analysis, Physical Anthropology, Morphometry, Medicine, American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Human Variation, Humans, Measurement, Method, Landmark, American, Reproducibility of Results, and Bone and Bones
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Raw data associated with the manuscript: Sex differences in the patterning of age-related bone loss in the human hallucal metatarsal in rural and urban populations<br>
DigiArt is a Europe-wide project aimed at providing a new, cost efficient solution to the capture, processing and display of cultural artefacts. The project will change the ways in which the public interact with cultural objects and... more
DigiArt is a Europe-wide project aimed at providing a new, cost efficient solution to the capture, processing and display of cultural artefacts. The project will change the ways in which the public interact with cultural objects and spaces in a dramatic way. This project is unique in its collaborative approach: cultural heritage professionals working directly with electrical, mechanical, optical and software engineers to develop a solution to current issues faced by the museum sector. The innovations created by the engineers are driven by the demand of the cultural heritage sector. The diversity of the objects and spaces of the three test museums are challenging the engineers to provide a tool useful for a broad variety of indoor and outdoor museums in the future. This goes from using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs or drones) to fly and record large sites, to using scanners to record fine jewellery. As a case study, we present here the use-case of Scladina Cave. At the end of the pro...
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The impact of climatic change on Anatomically Modern Humans at Grotte de Taforalt, Morocco. This paper seeks to analyse the impact of climatic changes on the presence, dispersal and cultural transitions of early humans in Morocco between... more
The impact of climatic change on Anatomically Modern Humans at Grotte de Taforalt, Morocco. This paper seeks to analyse the impact of climatic changes on the presence, dispersal and cultural transitions of early humans in Morocco between 100,000 and 10,000 years ago, a period marked by enormous climatic fluctuation. The paper will explore human responses to oscillating climatic and environmental conditions by presenting the results of intensive investigations at the Grotte des Pigeons at Taforalt, a key-site in the prehistory of the Maghreb, North Africa. Located some 50km from the present Mediterranean coastline, close to the border with Algeria, the cave has an unparalleled sequence of human occupation spanning well over 100 ka, documenting the first appearance of anatomically modern populations in this region as well as evidence for personal ornaments and symbolic behaviour at 82 ka. The site also contains detailed, multi-proxy environmental records for the Middle Palaeolithic and Epipalaeolithic (Iberomaurusian). The paper will examine whether occupation of the cave can be linked to rapid responses to climatic amelioration or deterioration. In addition, it will be assessed to what extent marked cultural boundaries can be interpreted in this region as a response to climatic shifts and whether these shifts were also a driving force in human adaptations, reflected as changes in hunting and gathering strategies.
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<p>This chapter described the earliest evidence of the systematic practice of ablation. Purposeful removal of the upper central incisors became a widespread practice with the Iberomaurusian of the Later Stone Age in the Maghreb... more
<p>This chapter described the earliest evidence of the systematic practice of ablation. Purposeful removal of the upper central incisors became a widespread practice with the Iberomaurusian of the Later Stone Age in the Maghreb region—the area of current-day northern Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. During the Capsian times, ablation became less prevalent, but in some cases all incisors and canines were removed. During the Neolithic period the practice became even less frequent and in some areas disappeared completely. Nevertheless, in some regions of North Africa ablation remained common and may have been a way of identifying certain tribes or individuals within society. This chapter also considers possible causes for the origin of the practice.</p>
In this study, we want to investigate the covariation in the shape of two carpal bones, the triquetrum and hamate, and the possible association with locomotor behavior in a broad range of primate taxa. We applied 3D Geometric... more
In this study, we want to investigate the covariation in the shape of two carpal bones, the triquetrum and hamate, and the possible association with locomotor behavior in a broad range of primate taxa. We applied 3D Geometric Morphometrics on a large data set comprising 309 anthropoid primates of 12 different genera. Principal component analyses were performed on the covariance matrix of 18 (triquetrum) and 23 (hamate) Procrustes‐aligned surface landmarks. A two‐block partial least square analysis was done to test the covariance between triquetrum and hamate shape, without relying on the predictive models implicit in regression analyses. The results show that the carpal shape of quadrupedal anthropoids, which mainly use their wrist under compressive conditions, differs from that of suspensory primates as their wrist is possibly subjected to tensile and torsional forces. Within the hominids, differences in shape also distinguish more terrestrial from more arboreal species. Even within the great apes, we are able to capture shape differences between species of the same genus. In combination with behavioral and biomechanical studies, the results of this research can be used to establish form‐function relationships of the primate hand which will aid the functional interpretation of primate fossil remains.