engleski

Comparative morphometrics of Neandertal zygomatic bones

Neandertal zygomatic bones have been described as differing from those of modern humans in a number of anatomical features. However, detailed morphometric assessments of many aspects of zygomatic morphology have not been undertaken. To test the distinctiveness of this region in Neandertals, we conducted a morphometric study using a Central European Neandertal sample compared to an anatomically modern human sample, ranging from the Neolithic to recent human skeletal remains. Neandertal zygomatics are shown to differ significantly from those of modern humans in the pillar-like morphology of the frontal process - as shown by the frontal process index (ratio of the lateral plate breadth to the minimum breadth of the frontal process), expansion of the maxillary sinus into the zygomatic body, number and positioning of the zygomaticofacial foramina, and the marked attachments for the anterior fibers of the temporalis muscle in the temporal fossa. Linear least-squares regression analysis shows no significant correlation of size (based on zygomatic height) and the frontal process index. Z-scores indicate non-modern human affinities for the frontal process indices of such significant isolated zygomatics as Vindija 307, Neandertal 34, and Klasies 16651. This index, as well as the morphological observations made in this study, provide an additional indicator for the morphological affinities of isolated and fragmentary human fossil zygomatics and midfaces from the Late Pleistocene.

Neandertals; morphometrics; modern human origins

nije evidentirano