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The bony labyrinth of Neanderthals
Fred Spoor1, Jean-Jacques Hublin, Marc Braun
1Evolutionary Anatomy Unit, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College London, Rockefeller Building, University Street, London WC1E 6JJ, UK. f.spoor@ucl.ac.uk
Journal of Human Evolution
|March 29, 2003
Summary
Neanderthal bony labyrinths differ significantly from modern humans, particularly in semicircular canal size and orientation. These distinctions may indicate different head movement patterns in Neanderthals.
Area of Science:
- Paleoanthropology
- Human Evolution
- Anatomy
Background:
- The bony labyrinth, housed within the petrous temporal bone, offers insights into hominin evolution.
- Comparative analysis of labyrinthine morphology can reveal phylogenetic relationships and functional adaptations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis of the Neanderthal bony labyrinth.
- To compare Neanderthal labyrinthine morphology with Holocene humans, Middle Pleistocene hominins, and early modern humans.
- To explore the implications of these morphological differences for phylogenetic assessments and functional interpretations.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of bony labyrinth morphology.
- Measurement and comparison of semicircular canal dimensions (anterior, posterior, lateral) and ampullar inclination.
- Statistical comparison between Neanderthal specimens and various fossil and modern human groups.
Main Results:
- Neanderthal bony labyrinths exhibit distinct features: smaller anterior and posterior semicircular canals (absolute and relative size), a more circular posterior canal, and a more vertically inclined ampullar line compared to Holocene humans.
- The lateral semicircular canal is absolutely and relatively larger in Neanderthals.
- European Middle Pleistocene hominins share some Neanderthal-like features but also show differences, while Upper Palaeolithic and early modern humans are more similar to Holocene humans.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences in bony labyrinth morphology exist between Neanderthals and modern humans, potentially useful for identifying fragmentary fossils.
- Morphological variations may reflect distinct patterns of head movement, possibly linked to locomotor behavior and head-neck biomechanics in Neanderthals.
- Neanderthal labyrinthine shape might be influenced by brain morphology and its impact on the posterior cranial fossa.