Etude anthropologique des restes humains de Nazlet Khater (Paléolithique supérieur, Egypte)

Le squelette de Nazlet Khater 2 (NK 2) a été découvert en 1980 dans la vallée du Nil (Egypte) lors des fouilles du Belgian Middle Egypt Prehistoric Project. Son association avec le site minier du début du Paléolithique supérieur de Nazlet Khater 4 (dont la période d’exploitation s’étale de 35 à 40 Ka) en fait le plus ancien squelette complet d’homme moderne du nord de l’Afrique durant le stade isotopique 3 (OIS 3). Les restes de NK 2 appartiennent à un adulte jeune de sexe masculin. Ils sont bien conservés à l’exception des parties distales des jambes et des os de pieds. Les analyses comparatives réalisées sur ce spécimen soulignent la complexité morphologique des hommes modernes de cette époque. NK 2 présente certains traits archaïques notamment au niveau de la face et de la mandibule. Les structures de son oreille interne possèdent des caractéristiques morphologiques propres qui se situent en marge de la variabilité actuelle. Les restes postcrâniens montrent des insertions musculaires marquées et sont adaptés à des contraintes biomécaniques élevées. En outre, NK 2 présentent des lésions vertébrales et des membres témoignant d’activités physiques intenses et spécialisées en relation avec les sites archéologiques miniers de NK 4. L’étude de ce spécimen offre une opportunité unique d’accroître notre connaissance de la variabilité des hommes modernes durant cette époque (OIS 3) pour laquelle peu de restes humains sont connus.The Nazlet Khater 2 skeleton has been discovered in 1980 during the excavations of the Belgian Middle Egypt Prehistoric Project in the Nile Valley (Egypt). Its association with the Early Upper Paleolithic chert mining site of Nazlet Khater 4 (whose exploitation period range from 35 to 40 Ka) makes it the oldest complete OIS 3 modern human skeleton in northern Africa. The Nazlet Khater 2 remains belong to a young adult male. It is well preserved with the exception of the distal part of the legs and the foot. Comparative analyses of the specimen underline the complex morphology of modern human from this time period. NK 2 exhibits several retained archaic features notably on the face and the mandible. The inner ear structures display morphological characteristics that stand on the fringe of extant human variation. The postcranial remains have strong musular insertions and are adapted to high biomechanical strength. Furthermore, Nazlet Khater 2 has vertebral and membral lesions. All of this might be related to intensive mining activities. The study of this specimen provides an opportunity to increase our understanding of modern human variation during this time period (OIS 3) for which very rare human remains are kown

Lower Third Premolar Rotation in the Krapina Dental Sample

This paper presents some new observations on the Krapina Neandertal dental sample. A number of lower third premolars from this site are rotated in comparison to their expected position relative to the other teeth. We developed a method for accurately describing the rotation for teeth, whether they are in mandibles, included in dental sets or isolated. We compare the frequencies of rotated P3s in the Krapina sample with those observed in a modern human population and in the available Neandertal population specimens. It appears that the two latter have comparable frequencies of P3 rotation whereas rotations found in the Krapina sample have a much higher frequency, whether in relation to the total number of teeth or the number of individuals. Bootstrapping in the comparative samples shows that the probabilities of finding the frequencies of rotated P3s observed at Krapina within the modern and Neandertal lineage groups are very low, below the significance threshold. The Krapina sample thus appears to be unique in its proportion of rotated P3s. After rejecting a mechanical hypothesis (i. e. lack of space) for explaining this condition, we propose a genetic origin for this condition. We discuss the implications of related individuals utilizing the cave over a long period of time

Atteintes pathologiques de Nazlet Khater 2 et activité minière au début du paléolithique supérieur en Egypte

International audienceThe Nazlet Khater 2 (NK 2) skeleton, discovered in 1980 in Egypt, constitutes the oldest early Upper Palaeolithic modern human remains from North Africa. The association of this individual with the mining site of Nazlet Khater 4 (NK 4) provides a unique opportunity to understand the arthritis and enthesopathy lesions of this individual within a well-defi ned archaeological context. After elimination of the most frequent causes of enthesopathy and osteoarthritis, it appears that the many lesions seen on NK 2 are evidence of an arduous life style during which this individual was submitted to heavy mechanical stresses. The characterisation of specifi c movements or activities based on the complex pattern of lesions on NK 2 seems to us uncertain. However, it is possible to discuss the relationship between bone remodelling and mining activity on the basis of the archaeological context of Nazlet Khater 4 and previous work on samples from mining populations.Le squelette de Nazlet Khater 2 (NK 2), découvert en Égypte en 1980, constitue les seuls restes humains complets dʼHomme moderne du début du Paléolithique supérieur au nord de lʼAfrique. Son association avec le site minier de Nazlet Khater 4 (NK 4) offre une opportunité unique dʼétudier les atteintes arthrosiques et enthésopathiques de cet individu au sein dʼun cadre archéologique clairement établi. Après avoir écarté les causes les plus fréquentes dʼenthésopathies et dʼarthrose, il apparaît que les multiples lésions de NK 2 témoignent probablement dʼun mode de vie éprouvant et que ce dernier devait être soumis à des contraintes mécaniques importantes. Si la caractérisation de certains types de mouvements ou dʼactivités précises nous paraît hasardeuse, lʼhypothèse dʼune relation entre ces lésions et lʼactivité minière est discutée à partir du contexte archéologique de Nazlet Khater 4 ainsi que des travaux menés sur des échantillons dʼindividus ayant travaillé dans des mine

Atteintes pathologiques de Nazlet Khater 2 et activité minière au début du Paléolithique supérieur en Egypte

Le squelette de Nazlet Khater 2 (NK 2), découvert en Égypte en 1980, constitue les seuls restes humains complets d’Homme moderne du début du Paléolithique supérieur au nord de l’Afrique. Son association avec le site minier de Nazlet Khater 4 (NK 4) offre une opportunité unique d’étudier les atteintes arthrosiques et enthésopathiques de cet individu au sein d’un cadre archéologique clairement établi. Après avoir écarté les causes les plus fréquentes d’enthésopathies et d’arthrose, il apparaît que les multiples lésions de NK 2 témoignent probablement d’un mode de vie éprouvant et que ce dernier devait être soumis à des contraintes mécaniques importantes. Si la caractérisation de certains types de mouvements ou d’activités précises nous paraît hasardeuse, l’hypothèse d’une relation entre ces lésions et l’activité minière est discutée à partir du contexte archéologique de Nazlet Khater 4 ainsi que des travaux menés sur des échantillons d’individus ayant travaillé dans des mines.The Nazlet Khater 2 (NK 2) skeleton, discovered in 1980 in Egypt, constitutes the oldest early Upper Palaeolithic modern human remains from North Africa. The association of this individual with the mining site of Nazlet Khater 4 (NK 4) provides a unique opportunity to understand the arthritis and enthesopathy lesions of this individual within a well-defined archaeological context. After elimination of the most frequent causes of enthesopathy and osteoarthritis, it appears that the many lesions seen on NK 2 are evidence of an arduous life style during which this individual was submitted to heavy mechanical stresses. The characterisation of specific movements or activities based on the complex pattern of lesions on NK 2 seems to us uncertain. However, it is possible to discuss the relationship between bone remodelling and mining activity on the basis of the archaeological context of Nazlet Khater 4 and previous work on samples from mining populations

A new Neandertal femoral diaphysis from Les Pradelles (Marillac-le-Franc, Charente, France)

Background and purpose: A femoral diaphysis of an adult Neandertal was discovered in 2010 at the site of Les Pradelles (Marillac-le-Franc, Charente, France) with occupation levels from MIS 4. We describe the Les Pradelles (LP) femoral diaphysis and discuss its morphometric characteristics in relation to Late Pleistocene diversity. Materials and methods: The comparative sample for the LP femur consists of Neandertals, Middle Paleolithic modern humans and European Upper Palaeolithic modern humans. Classical measurements (diameters) and cross-sectional geometric properties were studied at mid-diaphysis. The pattern of thickness variations was also analyzed. Results: Morphological aspects of this diaphysis clearly relate it to those of the Neandertals (anterior curvature, lack of pilaster, medial buttress). Exostoses near and on the linea aspera may be the consequence of a pathological bone reaction, with unknown cause. Cross-sectional geometric properties place the LP femur within the range of Neandertal variation. It presents, among other features, a greater amount of cortical bone in comparison tomodern human variability. The 3Dmodeling highlights a medial side with an important cortical thickness corresponding to the medial buttress. Conclusions: The LP femur provides additional data to our knowledge of MIS4 Neandertal variability, less well documented than those assigned to MIS5 and MIS3

Archaeology of Holocene hunter-gatherers at the sixth Nile cataract, central Sudan

Jebel Sabaloka at the Sixth Nile Cataract has been known for its strategic importance in late prehistoric stone tool production in central Sudan. Since 2009, archaeological exploration on the west bank of the Nile has revealed a hierarchized settlement structure, with 30 sites of early to mid-Holocene dating. The key findings derive from two principal sites – Sphinx and Fox Hill – that are situated on large granite outcrops and provide evidence of robust occupation by hunter-gatherers of the Early Khartoum Complex (Khartoum Mesolithic, ca. 8,500–5,000 BC). One of the most intriguing elements at these Early Khartoum settlements is the presence of large hunter gatherer burial grounds, which will enrich the discussions of the character, duration and structuring of these Mesolithic societies at both regional and supra-regional level

Reassessment of the Neandertal fossil collection from Abri Suard (La Chaise de Vouthon, Charente, France)

Abri Suard is one of the sites localized at La Chaise de Vouthon in Charente. La Chaise is a well-known prehistoric place, historically and archaeologically as it preserved long stratigraphic sequences documenting Lower to Upper Palaeolithic human occupations. A substantial number of Neandertal human remains have been discovered in a sedimentary unit associated to MIS 6-5 (250-120 kya) from Abri Suard, which makes them some of the earliest Western European Neandertals. Although most of the Ne..

The evolutionary history of Neanderthal and Denisovan Y chromosomes

Ancient DNA has provided new insights into many aspects of human history. However, we lack comprehensive studies of the Y chromosomes of Denisovans and Neanderthals because the majority of specimens that have been sequenced to sufficient coverage are female. Sequencing Y chromosomes from two Denisovans and three Neanderthals shows that the Y chromosomes of Denisovans split around 700 thousand years ago from a lineage shared by Neanderthals and modern human Y chromosomes, which diverged from each other around 370 thousand years ago. The phylogenetic relationships of archaic and modern human Y chromosomes differ from the population relationships inferred from the autosomal genomes and mirror mitochondrial DNA phylogenies, indicating replacement of both the mitochondrial and Y chromosomal gene pools in late Neanderthals. This replacement is plausible if the low effective population size of Neanderthals resulted in an increased genetic load in Neanderthals relative to modern humans.Q.F. was supported by funding from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB26000000) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (91731303, 41925009, 41630102). A.R. was funded by Spanish government (MICINN/ FEDER) (grant number CGL2016-75109-P). The reassessment of the Spy collection by H.R., I.C., and P.S. was supported by the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO 2004-2007, MO/36/0112). M.V.S., M.B.K., and A.P.D. were supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR 17-29-04206). This study was funded by the Max Planck Society and the European Research Council (grant agreement number 694707)

Survival of Late Pleisticene Hunter-gatherer ancestry in the Iberian Peninsula

The Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe represents an important test case for the study of human population movements during prehistoric periods. During the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), the peninsula formed a periglacial refugium for hunter-gatherers (HGs) and thus served as a potential source for the re-peopling of northern latitudes. The post-LGM genetic signature was previously described as a cline from Western HG (WHG) to Eastern HG (EHG), further shaped by later Holocene expansions from the Near East and the North Pontic steppes. Western and central Europe were dominated by ancestry associated with the 14,000-year-old individual from Villabruna, Italy, which had largely replaced earlier genetic ancestry, represented by 19,000-15,000-year-old individuals associated with the Magdalenian culture. However, little is known about the genetic diversity in southern European refugia, the presence of distinct genetic clusters, and correspondence with geography. Here, we report new genome-wide data from 11 HGs and Neolithic individuals that highlight the late survival of Paleolithic ancestry in Iberia, reported previously in Magdalenian-associated individuals. We show that all Iberian HGs, including the oldest, a 19,000-year-old individual from El Mirón in Spain, carry dual ancestry from both Villabruna and the Magdalenian-related individuals. Thus, our results suggest an early connection between two potential refugia, resulting in a genetic ancestry that survived in later Iberian HGs. Our new genomic data from Iberian Early and Middle Neolithic individuals show that the dual Iberian HG genomic legacy pertains in the peninsula, suggesting that expanding farmers mixed with local HGs

The evolutionary history of Neandertal and Denisovan Y chromosomes

Ancient DNA has allowed the study of various aspects of human history in unprecedented detail. However, because the majority of archaic human specimens preserved well enough for genome sequencing have been female, comprehensive studies of Y chromosomes of Denisovans and Neandertals have not yet been possible. Here we present sequences of the first Denisovan Y chromosomes (Denisova 4 and Denisova 8), as well as the Y chromosomes of three late Neandertals (Spy 94a, Mezmaiskaya 2 and El Sidrón 1253). We find that the Denisovan Y chromosomes split around 700 thousand years ago (kya) from a lineage shared by Neandertal and modern human Y chromosomes, which diverged from each other around 370 kya. The phylogenetic relationships of archaic and modern human Y chromosomes therefore differ from population relationships inferred from their autosomal genomes, and mirror the relationships observed on the level of mitochondrial DNA. This provides strong evidence that gene flow from an early lineage related to modern humans resulted in the replacement of both the mitochondrial and Y chromosomal gene pools in late Neandertals. Although unlikely under neutrality, we show that this replacement is plausible if the low effective population size of Neandertals resulted in an increased genetic load in their Y chromosomes and mitochondrial DNA relative to modern humans.Q.F. was supported by funding from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB26000000), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (91731303, 41925009,41630102). A.R. was funded by Spanish government (MICINN/FEDER), grant number CGL2016-75109-P. The reassessment of the Spy collection by H.R., I.C. and P.S. was supported by the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO 2004-2007, MO/36/0112). M.S., M.K. and A.D. were supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR 17-29-04206). This study was funded by the Max Planck Society and the European Research Council (grant agreement number 694707).N