La gestión del utillaje óseo de la Edad del Bronce en el yacimiento de El Portalón de Cueva Mayor, Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos

Se analiza el utillaje óseo de la Edad del Bronce recuperado en el yacimiento arqueológico de El Portalón de Cueva Mayor, en la sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos). A día de hoy la Edad del Bronce es el periodo cultural mejor representado en la cavidad y su estudio nos ha obligado a unificar los distintos criterios de excavación y definición estratigráfica seguidos desde las primeras actuaciones arqueológicas de J.M. Apellániz hasta las del actual equipo de investigación de Atapuerca (EIA). Se han correlacionado, por primera vez, el inicial sistema de “lechos” de Apellániz y la reciente lectura sedimentaria que reconoce 11 niveles cuyas dataciones radiométricas se encadenan desde fines del Pleistoceno a la Edad Media. El conjunto óseo recuperado de la Edad del Bronce incluye útiles y elementos de adorno muy variados con características tanto autóctonas como alóctonas, que indican la existencia de relaciones a corta y larga distancia en el seno de las poblaciones prehistóricas del interior peninsular

The management of bone tools from the Bronze Age site of El Portalón of Cueva Mayor, Sierra de Atapuerca, Burgos

Se analiza el utillaje óseo de la Edad del Bronce recuperado en el yacimiento arqueológico de El Portalón de Cueva Mayor, en la sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos). A día de hoy la Edad del Bronce es el periodo cultural mejor representado en la cavidad y su estudio nos ha obligado a unificar los distintos criterios de excavación y definición estratigráfica seguidos desde las primeras actuaciones arqueológicas de J.M. Apellániz hasta las del actual equipo de investigación de Atapuerca (EIA). Se han correlacionado, por primera vez, el inicial sistema de “lechos” de Apellániz y la reciente lectura sedimentaria que reconoce 11 niveles cuyas dataciones radiométricas se encadenan desde fines del Pleistoceno a la Edad Media. El conjunto óseo recuperado de la Edad del Bronce incluye útiles y elementos de adorno muy variados con características tanto autóctonas como alóctonas, que indican la existencia de relaciones a corta y larga distancia en el seno de las poblaciones prehistóricas del interior peninsular.In this paper we analyze the set of Bronze Age bone tools recovered at the archaeological site of El Portalón of Cueva Mayor in the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos). The Bronze Age cultural period is the best represented in the cavity and its study has forced us to unify the different excavation and stratigraphical criteria undertaken from the earliest archaeological excavations developed by J.M. Apellániz during the 70s until the excavations of the current research team (EIA) since 2000. We propose here for the first time a relationship between the initial system of “beds” used by Apellániz and our recent sedimentary sequence that recognizes eleven stratigraphic levels radiometrically dated from the late Upper Pleistocene to the Middle Age. Within the bone industry assemblage we recognize a large variety of utensils and ornamental elements, with native and allochthonous features, that make evident a regional as well as long distance relationships of these populations of the interior of the Iberian Peninsula during the recent Prehistory

La alimentación en la evolución humana

Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEpu

Hombres y dioses. La naturaleza de la agresividad humana

Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasFALSEpu

Nuevos cálculos de la longitud biomecánica del cuello en fémures de homínidos

The problem of the relative biomechanical neck length in present-day femurs and in some hominids of the Pliocene and the Lower and Middle Pleistocene is dealt with. Linear regressions calculated in Homo sapiens, using the morphological femur length as the dependent variable, predict values for the relative biomechanical neck length in Australopithecus which are much lower than the ones observed. The rest of the fossil specimens considered, all of which have been attributed toHomo, correspond to an acceptable degree with the expected values in relation with the regressions in humans. In any case, the results are diametrically opposite to those obtained by Wolpoff (1978) using the same methods.Se considera el problema de la longitud biomecánica del cuello en fémures actuales y en algunos homínidos del Plioceno y del Pleistoceno Inferior y Medio. Regresiones lineales calculadas en Homo sapiens, tomando como variable dependiente la longitud morfológica del fémur, predicen en Australopithecus valores de la longitud biomecánica relativa del cuello mucho menores de los observados. El resto de los ejemplares fósiles considerados, todos ellos atribuidos a Homo, se corresponden en grado aceptable con los valores esperados en función de las regresiones humanas. En cualquier caso, los resultados son diametralmente opuestos a los obtenidos por Wolpoff (1978) utilizando los mismos métodos.Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEpu

Metatarsals and foot phalanges from the Sima de los Huesos Middle Pleistocene site (Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain)

This study provides a complete, updated and illustrated inventory, as well as a comprehensive study, of the metatarsals and foot phalanges (forefoot) recovered from the Middle Pleistocene site of Sima de los Huesos (SH, Atapuerca, Spain) in comparison to other Homo comparative samples, both extant and fossils. This current updated review has established a minimum number of individuals (MNI) of 17, which represent 58.6% of the 29 dental individuals identified within the SH sample. An exclusive or autoapomorphic combination of traits can be recognized within the SH hominin foot sample. A few traits appear primitive or plesiomorphic when compared with earlier Homo individuals and other recent modern humans. There are other metrical and morphological traits that SH hominins and Neandertals have in common that sometimes represent shared derived traits in this evolutionary line, most of which are probably related to robusticity. Furthermore, some exclusive autoapomorphic traits are observed in the SH sample: a very broad first metatarsal, long and broad hallucal proximal foot phalanges and possibly extremely robust lateral distal foot phalanges compared to those of Neandertals and modern humans. In these last traits, the SH metatarsals and pedal phalanges are even more robust than in Neandertals. They are herein named as “hyper-Neandertal” traits, which could suggest a slight gracilization process in this evolutionary line, at least in the hallux toe. Finally, some paleobiological inferences are made in relation to body size (stature and body mass) and some associations are proposed within the SH sample.MCI/AEI/FEDER, UEMCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDEREuropean Research CouncilJunta de AndalucíaJunta de Castilla y LeónFundación AtapuercaDepto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEpu

Tarsals from the Sima de los Huesos Middle Pleistocene site (Atapuerca, Burgos, Spain)

Here, we provide a complete, updated, and illustrated inventory, as well as a comprehensive study, of the tarsals (rearfoot) recovered from the Middle Pleistocene site of Sima de los Huesos (SH, Atapuerca, Spain) in comparison to other Homo comparative samples, both extant and fossil. The minimum number of individuals (MNI) estimated from the tarsals has been established as 15, which represents 51.7% of the 29 dental individuals identified within the SH sample. Within the SH hominin foot sample, an exclusive combination of primitive or plesiomorphic and derived or autapomorphic traits can be observed when compared with other Homo individuals/populations. Other characters are shared among SH hominins and Neandertals that might represent shared derived or autapomorphic traits for this evolutionary line, and most are likely related to robusticity (e.g., rectangular-like trochlea of the talus, broad calcanei, broad naviculars, and short lateral cuneiforms). Additionally, we observed some exclusive autapomorphic traits in the SH tarsal sample (e.g., narrow head of the talus and short intermediate cuneiforms). A few exclusive traits in SH tarsal remains are even more robust than in Neandertals (e.g., broad lateral malleolar facet in talus, more projected sustentaculum tali, and broad medial cuneiform). These traits could suggest a slightly higher level of gracilization in the tarsal bones of Neandertals compared to the SH sample that is also supported by other anatomical postcranial skeleton elements. Additionally, some paleobiological inferences are made in relation to body size (stature and body mass) and some associations are proposed within the SH sample. In conclusion, the morphology of the SH tarsi confirms an evolutionary relationship of sister groups between this population and Neandertals, probably representing a morphotype similar to the Neandertal ancestors.MCI/AEI/FEDER, UEMCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, UEEuropean Research CouncilJunta de AndalucíaJunta de Castilla y LeónFundación AtapuercaDepto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEpu

The Sima de los Huesos (Burgos, northern Spain): palaeoenvironment and habitats of Homo heidelbergensis during the Middle Pleistocene

Received 1 October 2010 / Received in revised form 8 November 2010 / Accepted 8 November 2010 / Available online 7 December 2010 © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. E-mail addresses: [email protected] (N. García), [email protected] (J.L. Arsuaga).Interpreting how environmental dynamics respond to global climate change and how this has affected human evolution and dispersal is an on-going topic of debate. During the early Middle Pleistocene (∼0.6–0.4 Ma), as compared to earlier, environmental conditions were relatively more stable, with longer climatic cycles alternating between open and forested landscapes. During this interval, humans spread successfully providing an important number of fossil sites where fossils or tools are reported. The Atapuerca-Sima de los Huesos (Burgos, northern Spain) site (Atapuerca-SH) is one of the earliest localities with hominin evidence in the European Middle Pleistocene, with the most important accumulation of Homo heidelbergensis so far. We have analyzed the abundant faunal record from Sima de los Huesos, which is mainly comprised of carnivores, in order to approach an interpretation of the palaeoenvironmental circumstances where these hominids inhabited within the Sierra. Other sites from Sierra de Atapuerca referred to the same Faunal Unit (FU 6), are roughly contemporaneous, and include important ungulates, which are here analyzed with Atapuerca-SH. Additional information provided by isotopic analysis helps elucidate the ancient ecology of taxa present in Sima de los Huesos allowing for an accurate portrayal of the setting in which humans lived. The timing of the spread of Homo heidelbergensis is dominated by a relative climatic and environmental stability and points to a landscape dominated by savannah-like open woodland.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España)Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEpu

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.This study was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Projects PGC2018-093925-B-C33, MCI/AEI/FEDER, UE and PID2021-122355NB-C31, MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, UE). Asier Gómez-Olivencia is supported by Ramón y Cajal fellowship (RYC-2017-22558). Field work in Atapuerca is supported by the Junta de Castilla y León and Fundación Atapuerca