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

Abstract

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