The Sima de los Huesos cervical spine

Information regarding the evolution of the neck in genus Homo is hampered owing to a limited fossil record. Neandertals display significant metric and/or morphological differences in all the cervical vertebrae, when compared to Homo sapiens. Thus, the important fossil record from the Middle Pleistocene site of Sima de los Huesos (SH) not only offers important information about the evolution of this anatomical region within the Neandertal lineage, but also provides important clues to understand the evolution of this region at the genus level. We present the current knowledge of the anatomy of the cervical spine of the hominins found in SH compared to that of Neandertals and modern humans, and, when possible, to Homo erectus and Homo antecessor. The current SH fossil record comprises 172 cervical specimens (after refittings) belonging to a minimum of 11 atlases, 13 axes, and 52 subaxial cervical vertebrae. The SH hominins exhibit a morphological pattern in their cervical spine more similar to that of Neandertals than that of H. sapiens, which is consistent with the phylogenetic position of these hominins. However, there are some differences between the SH hominins and Neandertals in this anatomical region, primarily in the length and robusticity, and to a lesser extent in the orientation of the spinous processes of the lowermost cervical vertebrae. We hypothesize that these differences in the lowermost subaxial cervical vertebrae could be related to the increase in the brain size and/or changes in the morphology of the skull that occurred in the Neandertal lineage.Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEMinisterio de Ciencia e InnovaciónJunta de Castilla y LeónFundación Atapuercapu

Evolutionary Trends in the Temporal Bone in the Neandertal Lineage: A Comparative Study Between the Sima de los Huesos (Sierra de Atapuerca) and Krapina Samples

A comparative study of the temporal bone in the fossil human collections from the Middle and Upper Pleistocene sites of the Sima de los Huesos (Spain) and Krapina (Croatia), respectively, has revealed a pattern to the emergence of several Neandertal features in the glenoid fossa and mastoid process. The results demonstrate that a flattened articular eminence characterizes the Neandertal evolutionary lineage, and this apparently derived feature is present at least since the time of the Atapuerca (SH) hominids. In contrast, both the size of the postglenoid process and the projection of the mastoid process have clearly undergone a reduction in the Neandertals, including the Krapina sample, from their Middle Pleistocene precursors. The anterior mastoid tubercle is absent in both the Atapuerca (SH) sample and the Krapina hominids, but is ubiquitous in Upper PleistoceneWestern European Neandertals, suggesting a later appearance of this feature. Finally, the narrow width of the mastoid process in the Krapina sample appears to be a feature which is particular to this sample

Los restos humanos craneales de Cova Negra, Valencia

Se presenta un nuevo análisis del parietal de Cava Negra que ha sido objeto de una larga controvers ia. Así mismo se dan a conocer nuevos restos craneales. El más completo corresponde a un parietal derecho fueflemente alterado. Ambos parietales se encuadran cronológicamente en el Würm antiguo y filogenéticamente entre los Neandertales

Is Gaia a theory before its time, or a vitalist joke? A curricular discussion

El concepto de Gaia se ha difundido muy rápidamente en el sistema educativo preuniversitario, en ocasiones de forma acritica. Para hacer posible una discusión fundamentada de los méritos y lagunas de esta teoría se exponen sus puntos fuertes y débiles. Tras localizar alguna de las raíces históricas de esta idea, la discusión se centra en (a) la tradición vitalista, (b) la Paradoja de] Sol Primordial Débil, (e) la evolución M clima, con una hidrosfera liquida permanente, también en épocas de glaciaciones globales, (d) la evolución de la biosfera, caracterizada por extinciones masivas seguidas de rápidas recuperaciones, (e) la evolución química de la atmósfera hasta su composición actual, (f) los cambios en la sedimentación química, (g) el óptimo térmico terrestre en comparación con los planetas vecinos, y (h) la posible interacción entre biosfera y litosfera, o sea entre Vida y Tectónica de placas. Por último, se examinan algunas posibles comprobaciones de la idea, y sus aspectos filosóficos.The Gaia concept has quickly established itself in the pre-college system, without any kind of preassessment. To make possible an informed discussion of the pros and cons of this theory, its strong and weak points are presented. Some historical roots of Gaia are traced, and then the following topics are discussed: (a) the vitalist tradition, (b) the Young Faint Sun Paradox, (c) the evolution of climate, with a constantly liquid hydrosphere but also occasional global ice sheets, (d) the evolution of the biosphere, featuring mass extinctions followed by quick recovering of diversity, (e) the chemical evolution of the atmosphere, (f) the changes in chemical sedimentation, (g) the Earth thermal optimum as compared with its planetary neighbours, and (h) the Gaia-postulated loop between Life and Plate tectonics. Finally, we discuss some possible proofs for Gaia, and its philosophical traits.Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaDepto. de Mineralogía y PetrologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasFALSEpu

Evolutionary Trends in the Temporal Bone in the Neandertal Lineage: A Comparative Study Between the Sima de los Huesos (Sierra de Atapuerca) and Krapina Samples

A comparative study of the temporal bone in the fossil human collections from the Middle and Upper Pleistocene sites of the Sima de los Huesos (Spain) and Krapina (Croatia), respectively, has revealed a pattern to the emergence of several Neandertal features in the glenoid fossa and mastoid process. The results demonstrate that a flattened articular eminence characterizes the Neandertal evolutionary lineage, and this apparently derived feature is present at least since the time of the Atapuerca (SH) hominids. In contrast, both the size of the postglenoid process and the projection of the mastoid process have clearly undergone a reduction in the Neandertals, including the Krapina sample, from their Middle Pleistocene precursors. The anterior mastoid tubercle is absent in both the Atapuerca (SH) sample and the Krapina hominids, but is ubiquitous in Upper PleistoceneWestern European Neandertals, suggesting a later appearance of this feature. Finally, the narrow width of the mastoid process in the Krapina sample appears to be a feature which is particular to this sample

Uncovering the adult morphology of the forearm bones from the Sima de los Huesos Site in Atapuerca (Spain), with comments on biomechanical features

[EN] The forearm skeleton is composed of two bones: the radius and the ulna. This is closely related to manipulative movements. The ulna is part of the elbow joint, whereas the radius and ulna together with the scaphoid and lunate bones, form the wrist joints. Thus, morphofunctional analysis of the adult Sima de los Huesos (SH) forearm bones, provides clues about manipulative activities in one Pleistocene population. From 1976 to the present, over 7000 human fossils have been recovered from the SH site. The radial sample comprised 98 labeled fragments, of which 49 belonged to adult individuals, representing at least 7 individuals. The ulnar sample included 31 labeled adult fossils representing at least nine individuals. In this study, we describe the SH radii and ulnae and analyze their functional implications for manipulative and forearm movements. We confirmed that the SH radii are long and curved, with variations in robusticity and radial tuberosity orientation. The SH ulnae are characterized by an anteriorly oriented trochlear notch, a massive olecranon process, an obliquely oriented radial notch, a blunt and short supinator crest, a gracile and curved diaphysis, and a round and anteriorly oriented pronator crests. In general, they exhibit Neanderthal morphology. The SH collection provides a unique opportunity to conduct morphological analyses of these bones in the Middle Pleistocene population.SIPublicación en abierto financiada por el Consorcio de Bibliotecas Universitarias de Castilla y León (BUCLE), con cargo al Programa Operativo 2014ES16RFOP009 FEDER 2014-2020 DE CASTILLA Y LEÓN, Actuación:20007-CL - Apoyo Consorcio BUCL

Single-grain OSL dating of the Middle Palaeolithic site of Galería de las Estatuas, Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain)

This study presents single-grain optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) chronologies for the archaeological site of Galería de las Estatuas – the first systematically excavated Middle Palaeolithic site within the karst system of the Sierra de Atapuerca archaeological complex, northern Spain. The single-grain OSL ages are compared with paired single-grain thermally transferred OSL (TT-OSL) dating results for a selection of samples in order to better assess quartz signal bleaching characteristics of endokarstic deposits preserved at Atapuerca. In total, seven luminescence dating samples were collected from four lithostratigraphic units exposed in two excavation pits (GE-I and GE-II). The single-grain OSL equivalent dose (De) distributions are characterised by generally low overdispersion (20–30%), suggesting appropriate bleaching at deposition. The resultant single-grain OSL ages reveal that the sediment sequence and archaeological remains excavated in pit GE-I accumulated 80–112 ka, while the upper layers of excavation area GE-II were deposited 70–79 ka. The replicate single-grain TT-OSL ages are in agreement with the OSL chronologies at 2σ for three of the four samples investigated; although in all cases the TT-OSL ages were systematically older than their single-grain counterparts. Apparent TT-OSL residual doses (i.e., TT-OSL De values in excess of their corresponding OSL De values) of 9–65 Gy were observed for all samples. These excess TT-OSL De values are generally low in comparison to the natural dose ranges of TT-OSL dating applications undertaken elsewhere in the Atapuerca karst system. The single-grain TT-OSL and OSL dating comparisons build on daylight bleaching experiments and modern analogue studies performed on other Atapuerca exogeneous infill deposits and suggest reasonable potential for TT-OSL signal resetting down to relatively low levels for at least some sediments preserved in the Atapuerca karstic cavities. The quartz single-grain OSL chronologies obtained in this study place the Middle Palaeolithic sequence of Galería de las Estatuas within marine isotope stage (MIS) 5 and the beginning of MIS 4, and provide firm evidence for human occupation of the Sierra de Atapuerca during a previously unreported time period

Small mammals (Rodentia, Soricomorpha, Erinaceomorpha, Lagomorpha and Chiroptera) from the Middle Pleistocene of the Covacha de los Zarpazos (Atapuerca Hill, Burgos, Spain).

En este trabajo presentamos el estudio preliminar de los microvertebrados de los niveles GII y GIII de la Covacha de los Zarpazos (Atapuerca, Burgos), obtenidos durante las campañas de campo de 1990 a 1996 y de 2000 a 2006. Se han identificado 4.904 piezas dentales de los órdenes Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Erinaceomorpha, Soricomorpha y Chiroptera. El conjunto de taxones de micromamíferos de los niveles GII y GIII de la Covacha de los Zarpazos es muy similar al registrado en Trinchera Galería, yacimiento que junto con el anterior y Trinchera Boca Norte (TN) forman el Complejo de Galería en la Trinchera del Ferrocarril de Atapuerca. Esta asociación faunística, en la que dominan especies de medios abiertos (arvicolinos, cricetinos y marmotas) junto con especies indicadoras de suelos sueltos y húmedos (Talpa) y otras que señalan la presencia de cursos de agua (Arvicola aff. A. sapidus), indica un medio fresco y húmedo que, en las zonas bajas estaría representado por prados húmedos con algo de arbolado, y que en las zonas altas está más desprovisto de vegetación. La interpretación biocronológica de este conjunto faunístico coincide con las dataciones previas, situando estos niveles dentro del Pleistoceno Medio (Cuenca-Bescós et al., 1999), en la biozona Iberomys brecciensis, definida por Cuenca-Bescós et al. (2010).This work presents for the first time the results obtained from the study of the small mammals recovered in the 1990-1996 and in the 2000-2006 field seasons from GII and GIII levels of the Covacha de los Zarpazos site (Atapuerca Hill, Burgos). 4,904 dental remains belonging to the Orders Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Erinaceomorpha, Soricomorpha and Chiroptera have been identified. The faunal list is composed by the following species: Arvicola aff. A. sapidus, Microtus jansoni, Microtus aff. M. arvalis, Terricola atapuerquensis, Iberomys brecciensis, Pliomys lenki, Allocricetus correzensis, Apodemus sp., Eliomys quercinus quercinus, Hystrix (Acanthion) brachyura vinogradovi, Marmota sp., Erinaceus cf. E. europaeus, Talpa cf. T. europaea, Sorex sp., Myotis sp., Rhinolophus sp. and Miniopterus schreibersii. The assemblage of small mammal species found in the GII and GIII levels of the Covacha de los Zarpazos site is very similar to that found at the Trinchera Galería site (see table VI), which together with the Trinchera Zarpazos and the Trinchera Boca Norte sites constitute the Galería karstic system Complex. The Galería Complex, Trinchera Dolina and Trinchera Elefante form the set of sites known as the Trinchera del Ferrocarril. The occurrence of the rodents from la Covacha de los Zarpazos has been compared to the Middle Pleistocene levels of the other sites of Atapuerca: Trinchera Galería (TGII-III), Trinchera Dolina (TD8-10), Trinchera Elefante (TE18-19) and Sima de Los Huesos (SH). Table VI shows this comparison. Open habitats are indicated by the predominance within the assemblage of micromammals such as arvicoline rodents, cricetine hamsters and marmot sciurids, within the assemblage. Loose soils (as indicated by the presence of Talpa mole) and water bodies must also have been present to provide a suitable habitat for Arvicola, the water vole. These results suggest fresh conditions and a wet environment in which open land -mainly with wet meadow in lower areas and with less vegetation in higher areas- predominated over woodland (figure 5). The biochronological interpretation of this faunal complex agrees with previous dates of the site in placing these levels within the Middle Pleistocene, at the Iberomys brecciensis biozone of Cuenca-Bescós et al. (2010).Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEpu

The earliest evidence of true lambdoid craniosynostosis: the case of “Benjamina”, a Homo heidelbergensis child

Background The authors report the morphological and neuroimaging findings of an immature human fossil (Cranium 14) diagnosed with left lambdoid synostosis. Discussion The skull was recovered at the Sima de los Huesos site in Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain). Since the human fossil remains from this site have been dated to a minimum age of 530,000 years, this skull represents the earliest evidence of craniosynostosis occurring in a hominid. A brief historical review of craniosynostosis and cranial deformation is provided

Denticulados y muescas: ¿para qué sirven? Estudio funcional de una muestra musteriense en cuarzo del Abrigo de Navalmaíllo (Pinilla del Valle, Madrid, España)

Denticulates and notches are two of the most ubiquitous types in Mousterian industries. The increased interest on their study suggests these tools are more complex than expected. New typometric studies indicate that they are not as standardized as they appear. Moreover, new use-wear research indicates that denticulates versatile, not specialized, in function. In this paper, we present the results of a use-wear analysis of a Mousterian sample of denticulates and notches coming from the Navalmaíllo rock shelter (Pinilla del Valle, Madrid, Spain). Use-wear on quartz is peculiar due to the special features of the raw material, but the wear marks are usually better preserved than those formed on better materials like flint. Our results confirm the versatility of denticulates in working on different tasks related to butchering and wood working.Los denticulados y las muescas son dos de los elementos más frecuentes en la panoplia musteriense. El creciente interés por el estudio de estos tipos permite vislumbrar su complejidad. La aparente estandarización de sus formas no lo es tal a la luz de nuevos estudios tipométricos. Así mismo, la especialización supuesta del denticulado parece encontrarse ahora en entredicho a partir de los nuevos datos revelados por estudios traceológicos que apuntan a que se trata de una pieza en esencia versátil. Presentamos en este artículo los resultados de un estudio funcional realizado sobre una muestra de denticulados y muescas en cuarzo procedente del yacimiento musteriense del Abrigo de Navalmaíllo (Pinilla del Valle, Madrid, España). Las huellas de uso sobre elementos de cuarzo son peculiares dadas las especiales características de la materia prima. Por otro lado, normalmente se conservan mejor que las formadas en materiales de mejor calidad como el sílex. Los resultados del estudio corroboran la versatilidad de dichas piezas para funciones distintas relacionadas, entre otras, con alguna de las actividades implicadas en el trabajo complejo de descuartizado y el trabajo de la madera