Showing papers in "Human Evolution in 1996"
TL;DR: The presence of fossilized bacteria in the Kebara 2 teeth, aged 60.000 years BP, and the similarity of oral pathologies in pre and post Neolithic samples confirm the multifactorial etiology of oral diseases in general and dental calculus in particular.
Abstract: Dental calculus has been often considered as a consequence of dietary habits, mainly related to the post Neolitic agricultural development. The presence of fossilized bacteria in the Kebara 2 teeth, aged 60.000 years BP, and the similarity of oral pathologies in pre and post Neolithic samples confirm the multifactorial etiology of oral diseases in general and dental calculus in particular.
29 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the Pech de l'Aze and Roc de Marsal children were recovered from Mousterian layers dated by traditional dating methods but their accurate chronological position within the regional Mousteria sequence remains an open question.
Abstract: Almost sixty years separate the discovery of the Pech de l’Aze and Roc de Marsal children in two sites no more than 20 km distant in Southwest of France. Both fossil individuals were recovered from Mousterian layers dated by traditional dating methods but their accurate chronological position within the regional Mousterian sequence remains an open question. The two children differ in some morphological and metric features of their cranial skeleton that are discussed in terms of either temporal or synchronic (i.e. ontogenetic) changes.
25 citations
TL;DR: In this article, three funerary structures have been discovered in the entrance of Los Canes, a small cave situated half way up the abrupt southern slope of Cuera range, near the village of Arangas (Eastern Asturias, Spain).
Abstract: Los Canes is a small cave situated half way up the abrupt southern slope of Cuera range, near the village of Arangas (Eastern Asturias, Spain). Three funerary structures have been discovered in the entrance of that cave. They consisted of burials (one of them, number II, reused) where the corpses of three individuals had been placed in different positions, with the legs strongly bent. Various grave goods (animal bones, pierced teeth, a perforated antler, etc.) accompanied them. The individuals found in these burials have been directly dated by AMS. Their age ranges between 6930±95 and 6265±75 BP (5930–5680 and 5330–5010 cal. BC). The present paper describes in detail the burials and discusses the questions raised by their datations and characteristics. Fourthermore the authors compare them with other Cantabrian funerary structures, taken into account the different mesoecological factors and living conditions of these last hunter-gatherer populations. Some preliminary anthropological data about Los Canes individual noI are also considered.
23 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that changes in hominid longevity are more likely to follow brain size than body weight, and that multiple regression techniques may be an appropriate avenue for future studies on life history variation in human evolution.
Abstract: Under the assumption that life history in general and longevity in particular play an important part in the study of evolutionary patterns and processes, this paper focuses on predicting longevity changes across hominid evolution and attempts to throw light on the significance of such changes. We also consider some statistical arguments in the analysis of hominid life history patterns. Multiple regression techniques incorporating primate body weight and brain size data are used to predict hominied longevity and the results are compared to those in the literature. Our findings suggest that changes in hominid longevity are more likely to follow brain size than body weight, and that multiple regression techniques may be an appropriate avenue for future studies on life history variation in human evolution.
19 citations
TL;DR: It was found that by combining morphological observations with both “ restricted” and “non-restricted” applications of discriminant function analyses (sensu Albrecht, 1992), sufficiently reliable serial allocations could be attained.
Abstract: The early hominid dental remains from the Omo succession represent a fragmentary but important source of information regarding hominid evolution during the 2 to 3 myr time period. As an initial step toward the evaluation of taxonomic affinities and evolutionary significance, the present study attempts serial allocations of 21 isolated mandibular molars from the Shungura and Usno Formations. A comparative sample consisting of 250 mandibular molars ofA.afarensis, A.africanus, A.robustus, A.boisei and earlyHomo was used to compile the baseline data for allocating the isolated Omo molars to serial positions. The methods employed in the present study include morphometric analyses of 5 cusp areas, 8 linear variables reflecting crown shape, and 4 measurements of fissure pattern. It was found that by combining morphological observations with both “restricted” and “non-restricted” applications of discriminant function analyses (sensu Albrecht, 1992), sufficiently reliable serial allocations could be attained.
17 citations
TL;DR: This article found that human evolution began in East Africa four million years ago, with a transition from an arboreal state to a more terrestrial one, and that this evolution was correlated with a large environmental change leading to drier and cooler conditions.
Abstract: Human evolution began in East Africa four million years ago, with a transition from an arboreal state to a more terrestrial one. This evolution seems to be correlated with a large environmental change in East Africa around 2.5 m.y. due to a major climatic change leading to drier and cooler conditions.
15 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, five large craniometric samples from extinct tribes (Selknam, Kaweskar and Yamana) from Tierra del Fuego and from Patagonia have been analyzed through multivariate techniques.
Abstract: Five large craniometric samples from extinct tribes (Selk’nam, Kaweskar and Yamana) from Tierra del Fuego and from Patagonia have been analyzed through multivariate techniques. The purpose was to test the hypothesis of one or two different migration waves in the peopling of the south extreme of South America. A cluster analysis has been made, using the squared Euclidean distance as a measure of proximity, and the UPGMA and neighbor joining algorithms as a tree building method. The robustness of the branches has been assessed with bootstrap analysis through 100 random iterations of the original data set. Results show that, despite their cultural differences, the three hunter-gatherer groups. from Tierra del Fuego tend to cluster together, indicating a similar morphological pattern. This suggests that geographic distance (in latitudinal sense) is the main factor that influenced the differentiation of the human groups from Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia, from a single ancestral population.
14 citations
TL;DR: Comparison with known Bejel in Negev Bedouin revealed an indistinguishable character and pattern of disease, and this pattern was easily distinguished from the polyostotic pattern of Yaws.
Abstract: Although the periostitis in ancient Sudanese Nubians was clearly treponemal in origin, the challenge was to determine if were the same as the variety (Bejel) historically documented in this century. Comparison with known Bejel in Negev Bedouin revealed an indistinguishable character and pattern of disease. This pattern was easily distinguished from the polyostotic pattern of Yaws. Invariable presence of irregular/striated cortical surface striations (in the presence of sabre shin deformity) and absence of dental abnormalities distinguished the lesions from those of venereal syphilis. Bejel has existed in the Sudan for at least 2000 years, but was apparently not present in other areas of North Africa 3000–7000 years ago.
14 citations
TL;DR: The new model of diversification of the common ancestor is resituated in the paleogeographic and paleoclimatic context which, through the north-south pattern of extension of aridity, provides a coherent scenario for the formation of extant species and subspecies of the Gorilla and Pan genera.
Abstract: Comparison of molecular data suggests that the higher apes (Gorilla, Pan) and humankind (Homo) are closely related and that they diverged from the common ancestor through two speciation events situated very closely together in time. Examination of the chromosomal formulas of the living species reveals a paradox in the distribution of mutated chromosomes which can only be resolved by a model of trichotomic diversification. This new model of divergence from the common ancestor is characterized by the transition from (1) a monotypic phase to (2) a polytypic phase of three sub-species — pre-gorilla, pre-chimpanzee and preaustralopithecine. The quadruped ancestors ofAustralopithecus appear to have been one of the three components of the common ancestor. The question is whetherramidus is an australopithecine or a pre-australopithecine representative of the common ancestor. The new model of diversification of the common ancestor is resituated in the paleogeographic and paleoclimatic context which, through the north-south pattern of extension of aridity, provides a coherent scenario for the formation of extant species and subspecies of theGorilla andPan genera.
12 citations
TL;DR: The idea that Coon provided the evolutionary basis for Weidenreich's polycentrism, while multiregionalism cleansed Coon’s writings of racism has been misleading.
Abstract: Many theories of human evolution emphasie that there was significant geographic variation. They may have little else in common, though, and the idea that Coon provided the evolutionary basis for Weidenreich’s polycentrism, while multiregionalism cleansed Coon’s writings of racism has been misleading. Coon and Weidenreich were as different as polygenism and monogenism, and in the basis of their differences lies the genesis of multiregionalism.
11 citations
TL;DR: The size relationship between the crown area of the lower canines, third and fourth premolars, and first molars in hominids is examined and the P4:P3 size ratio is considered as an excellent indicator of the taxonomic and philogenetic status of fossil hominid.
Abstract: The size relationship between the crown area of the lower canines (Cs), third (P3s) and fourth premolars (P4s), and first molars (M1s) in hominids is examined by means of the regression analysis. The lower P3 seem to be under the influence of those factors that control both the size of the anterior and posterior teeth, and the P4:P3 size ratio is related to the relative size of the anterior and posterior dentitions. So, the P4>P3 sequence is associated with the megadontia and hipermegadontia of the posterior teeth, whereas the expansion of the anterior teeth produces the P3>P4 sequence. We consider the P4:P3 size ratio as an excellent indicator of the taxonomic and philogenetic status of fossil hominids.
TL;DR: Treponemal disease appears to have had its origins with the first hominids to walk out of Africa as discussed by the authors, and it appeared little changed in that journey, until perhaps 2000-600 years ago, when a regionally-varied transition to syphilis apparently occurred.
Abstract: Treponemal disease appears to have had its origins with the first hominids to walk out of Africa. The character of treponemal disease appears little changed in that journey, until perhaps 2000–600 years ago, when a regionally-varied transition to syphilis apparently occurred. Its presence in Florida and South America appear to have at least provided the opportunity for exposure of Columbus’ crew and suggests the source for the subsequent epidemic of syphilis in Europe.
TL;DR: Anthropometric assessment is less a measure of nutritional status than of the totality of environmental factors that influence growth, including infectious disease, which can affect the incidence, severity and duration of infection, and their effects on nutritional status.
Abstract: Interactions between undernutrition, infection, and growth and development are complex, and are reviewed in this article. Anthropometry is a common means of nutritional assessment, but the relationship between food availability and anthropometric status is at best very loose, at least at the national level. This suggests that anthropometric assessment is less a measure of nutritional status than of the totality of environmental factors that influence growth, including infectious disease. The effects of diet, nutrition and infection on the nutritional status of a child can vary according to the disease ecology, the age of the child, patterns of feeding and types of food consumed. There are two possible ways in which this relationship can begin; one in which poor nutritional status leads to impaired immunocompetence and reduced resistance to infection, and the other in which exposure to infectious disease can lead to appetite loss and anorexia, malabsorption, and elevated metabolism of energy and other nutrients. Once started, the interactions between these two major environmental stressors becomes increasingly complex, with the nature of the disease ecology influencing the balance of immunoparesis and adaptive immunity its effect on subsequent disease experience, and the extent, if any, of anorexia, fever, and malabsorption during infectious episodes which has an impact on nutritional status. Specific nutritional deficiencies can subsequently influence immune status and responsiveness, and adaptive immunity. In addition, cultural factors can influence patterns of disease management and sickness behaviour, which can in turn affect the incidence, severity and duration of infection, and their effects on nutritional status, while deficiencies of vitamins and trace elements can have major effects on immune responsiveness.
TL;DR: The Greene t-test (1989) is accurate for a comparative analysis of raw data and the results indicate the stability of sexual dimorphism pattern in recent and past populations.
Abstract: The knowledge of sexual dimorphisms is important in many aspects of paleodemography and paleobiology. One major problem lies in a correct sexual diagnosis. However, due to the different methodologies employed to estimate the degree of sexual dimorphism, the comparison of the results remains difficult. The Greene t-test (1989) is accurate for a comparative analysis of raw data. On the basis of 18 measurements of theos coxae the test is made to evaluate the degree of sexual dimorphism. The data collected are employed to investigate the pelvic sexual dimorphism within a recent sample of known sex, and among the Afalou-bou Rhummel — Taforalt (Epipaleolithic of Northern Africa) and the Teviec — Hoedic samples (Mesolithic of France). A comparative analysis is applied to a few recent samples. The results indicate the stability of sexual dimorphism pattern in recent and past populations.
TL;DR: In this article, two identifiedHomo sapiens groups in the Middle Palaeolithic from the Near East, the Neandertals and the Modern Humans, were discussed, comparing their main morphological characteristics.
Abstract: The present paper deals with the two identifiedHomo sapiens groups in the Middle Palaeolithic from the Near East, the Neandertals and the Modern Humans. Their main morphological characteristics are discussed, comparing also both populations, one with another, as well as with the European Neandertals or Predmost III. The data confirm the presence in the Levant of Near Eastern Neandertal and Modern Human lineages from at least 150 Ky., relating the most ancient documents, respectively, to Tabun I and Zuttiyeh individuals. The coexistence of both human groups, having the same cultural background, along the whole Middle Palaeolithic is demonstrated, while the possibility of interbreeding is not excluded.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors survey the economic approach in relation to animal use during Upper Palaeolithic times in Northern Spain and find that animals present in the archaeological record can be separated into main groups, like those present by natural reasons and those introduced by human groups.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to survey the economic approach in relation to animal use during Upper Palaeolithic times in Northern Spain. The animals present in the archaeological record can be separated into main groups, like those present by natural reasons and those introduced by human groups. Also in the anthropic aported animals, some of them are related to food procurements and others to economic reasons. Animals like deer, bovids, equids and so on, were mainly related to nutrition, while some others like mustelids, canids or felines were more related to the obtention of furs or other non-alimentary uses. The analysis of the “main-six” (red deer, roe deer, big bovids, horse, ibex and wild boar) showed that all of them were used throughout the Upper Palaeolithic without many changes in time.
TL;DR: Serotonin deficiency involves several behavioural consequences, such as the tendency towards aggressive behaviour or the religious fanaticism, and among native american populations, these consequences appear, as a rule, positively correlated with maize alimentary dependence.
Abstract: Maize is a cereal particularly lacking in tryptophan, which is the precursor of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter. Altough complementary foods may eliminate tryptophan deficiency, serotonin deficiency may often continue to exist because of competition made by other Large Neutral Amino Acids (LNAA) against tryptophan for neuron access, since they use the same carrier to cross the blood-brain barrier. Thus serotonin synthesis depends on two variables: the amount of tryptophan and the trp/LNAA ratio (R). “R” is lowest for common maize, low for beans and, as a rule, for most vegetable foods, higher for meat. So, when maize is the preponderant food in the meal, the “R” value lowers and so in parallel serotonin synthesis does. Serotonin deficiency involves several behavioural consequences, such as the tendency towards aggressive behaviour or the religious fanaticism. Among native american populations, these consequences appear, as a rule, positively correlated with maize alimentary dependence (Aztecs appear as those who greatly suffered from serotonin deficiency). In the world these are thinkable for some african populations (i.e. Zulu) or european (i.e. Balkan peoples).
TL;DR: It seems that the group is representative of a Pompeian household: many children born approximately 3 years apart, early age at marriage, good food, relative freedom from disfiguring disease.
Abstract: Among partly mixed collection of skeletal remains excavated in the house called “Casa di Polibio” skeletons of 13 individuals were re-assembled and identified. There were 3 adult males, 3 adult females of various ages, 4 boys, 1 girl, child of unknown sex and one foetus in the last month of intrauterine life. The foetus was associated with the skeleton of a young (16–18 years) female whose bones are stained green-blue-black, probably by the jewellery or costume. Craniometric, odontometric, and osteometric data, together with reconstruction of stature are presented. Besides a mild case of torticollis in a young adult male no special pathologies were found. Enamel hypoplasia was frequent (87.5%). Presence of dental calculus on teeth of practically all individuals, frequent dental caries (63.6% of individuals), and moderate tooth wear indicate diet of well-cooked foods rich in carbohydrates. On grounds of age and biological characteristics it may be suggested that the group included older parents, their children, eldest son and his pregnant young wife plus a pair of domestics. Other possibilities include three adult couples: grandparents, parents and newlywed eldest daughter and her husband. Final resolution of family relationships must await full analysis of metric data and the DNA analysis. It seems that the group is representative of a Pompeian household: many children born approximately 3 years apart, early age at marriage, good food, relative freedom from disfiguring disease.
TL;DR: It is hypothesized that human metal-tool technology probably came about as a consequence of existing stone-tool practices and that capuchins preferred stone tools over copper tools.
Abstract: This research examined the use of naturally-occurring metal tools by monkeys. We presented groups of capuchins (Cebus apella) with copper nuggets and apparatus that accommodated the use of tools to crack open nuts and penetrate barriers. Six of fourteen monkeys placed copper nuggets in forceful contact with hard surfaces. Five of these animals used copper nuggets to crack open nuts and penetrate acetate. In follow-up tests capuchins preferred stone tools over copper tools, and used an iron meteorite as a multi-purpose tool. We hypothesize that human metal-tool technology probably came about as a consequence of existing stone-tool practices.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed the relationship between polygyny and female fertility in the province of Marrakech (Morocch) taking into account the effect of the previous marital instability (number of marriages) and the possible association between female sterility and type of marriage.
Abstract: This paper analyses the relationship between polygyny and female fertility in the province of Marrakech (Morocco) taking into account the effect of the previous marital instability (number of marriages) and the possible association between female sterility and type of marriage. In the analysed population, polygyny increases in the small towns. Polygynously married women have a higher level of education and show a higher percentage of use of contraceptive methods than the monogamously married ones. Although polygynously married women initially show lower fertility, multivariate analysis carried out on the group of women between 35 and 49 years old show that there are no significant differences in fertility between monogamously and polygynously married women when the effect of the previous marital instability is considerer. Female sterility does not determine marital instability, although it does determine a significant increase in polygynous marriages among the women without children.
TL;DR: Observations reported in this study showed a significantly higher frequency of Hunter-Schreger band verticalization in lower molars with an occlusal complex pattern, which suggests a positive correlation among crown complex traits (which occur frequently in Neandertal teeth) with deep enamel structural characteristics.
Abstract: A recent paper concerning characteristic groove-shaped wear in interproximal attritional facets of Neandertal posterior teeth correlated groove formation with deep enamel structural traits (Villa & Giacobini, 1995). Further studies were carried out on modern human teeth in order to evaluate a possible correlation between deep enamel structure and some crown complex morphological features.
TL;DR: The remarkable anthropological series formed by E. Tamagnini at the Universidade de Coimbra consists of the exhumed human remains from “La Conchada” cemetery, in Portugal as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The remarkable anthropological series formed by E. Tamagnini at the Universidade de Coimbra consists of the exhumed human remains from “La Conchada” cemetery, in Coimbra (Northern Portugal).
TL;DR: Preliminary results suggest a homogeneity within the groups described under the common label “Etruscans” within one aspect of the research presently under way, namely the odontometric study of different groups of Etruscan populations.
Abstract: A research project on the population biology of ancient Etruscans has recently started. The aim of this multidisciplinary research is the anthropological definition of Etruscan populations, about which little is known. The study of the skeletal remains is expected to lead to the identification of characteristics typical of this group, which will be used to establish affinities and differences with other contemporary Italic populations, as well as with previous and subsequent groups. An outline of the project is presented here, together with an indication of the problems concerning the availability of material. A summary of previous research on Etruscans is also given. In the final section, preliminary results are presented on one aspect of the research presently under way, namely the odontometric study of different groups of Etruscan populations. These results suggest a homogeneity within the groups described under the common label “Etruscans”.
TL;DR: Craniodentally the australopithecine species are a unique and rather uniform group, much nearer to the great apes than to humans; overall, their skull and dentition do not resemble the human more than the chimpanzee’s do.
Abstract: This paper attempts to quantify the morphological difference between fossil and living species of hominoids. The comparison is based upon a balanced list of craniodental characters corrected for size (Wood & Chamberlain, 1986). The conclusions are: craniodentally the australopithecine species are a unique and rather uniform group, much nearer to the great apes than to humans; overall, their skull and dentition do not resemble the human more than the chimpanzee’s do.
TL;DR: In this article, the question of how an endocast (or brain) is oriented within a skull that is positioned in the Frankfurt plane was investigated for African great apes, early hominids, and modern humans using a 3SPACE digitizer.
Abstract: The question of how an endocast (or brain) is oriented within a skull that is positioned in the Frankfurt plane is investigated for African great apes, early hominids STS 71, KNM-ER 1813 and KNM-ER 1470, and modern humans using a 3SPACE digitizer. Our results suggest that, rather than being positioned in the orientation in which isolated brains (endocasts) are conventionally illustrated, brains within skulls that are oriented in the Frankfurt plane tend to be inclined so that the frontal pole is higher than the occipital pole, especially inHomo. These preliminary findings have implications for interpreting early hominid endocasts such as that of AL 162-28.
TL;DR: Preliminary evidence is shown thatligonucleotide primers representing promoter and protein motifs in rats and mice can be used for genomic fingerprinting of ancient DNA at interspecific level and can help in solving some paleoecological promlems.
Abstract: Oligonucleotide primers representing promoter and protein motifs in rats and mice were assayed for PCR amplification of ancient DNA from two sheep and one goat. We show preliminary evidence that this type of primers can be used for genomic fingerprinting of ancient DNA at interspecific level and can help in solving some paleoecological promlems.
TL;DR: This work implies the analysis of the possible existence of heterolaterality for auditory sensitivity and so the presence of a guiding or dominant ear as certain observations have suggested and it seems that lef-handed people have a behaviour similar to that of the general population.
Abstract: This work implies the analysis of the possible existence of heterolaterality for auditory sensitivity and so the presence of a guiding or dominant ear as certain observations have suggested. The analysis of the frequencies of dextrotic, levotic or ambiotic individuals in a sample representing the general Asturian population of both sexes and ages between, mostly, 14 to 23 years reveals that the dextrotic individuals almost make up two thirds of the population (72.47%) whereas the ambiotics represent a very small percentage of the whole (3.17%). In this way, it can be pointed out that no sexual differences were detected for this somatophysiological characteristic, that find confirmation in tests of statistical significance.
TL;DR: From the results of the comparisons of the Sindou remains with two different medieval samples, a great similarity is deduced for these skeletal markers, but the higher frequency and severity of Achilles tendon enthesopathy in Sindou is a probable index of a higher level of physical stress at this specific localisation.
Abstract: The anthropological characteristics of the people who lived during the cultural period of the Late Bronze Age in South West France still remain practically unknown because very few sites have provided skeletal remains which permit of an exhaustive study. The cave of Sindou is, in that sense, one of the scarce exceptions. Although the sample of Sindou cannot be considered as representative of the whole regional population (N=50), we studied the presence and severity of DJD and enthesopathies of microtraumatic origin with the aim of finding some data which contribute to the knowledge of several biological aspects of this human group. From the results of the comparisons of the Sindou remains with two different medieval samples, a great similarity is deduced for these skeletal markers, but the higher frequency and severity of Achilles tendon enthesopathy in Sindou is a probable index of a higher level of physical stress at this specific localisation.