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Two Gravettian human deciduous teeth from Grub/Kranawetberg, lower Austria
M E Teschler-Nicola1, W Antl-Weiser, H Prossinger
1Anthropologische Abteilung, Naturhistorisches Museum, Wien, Osterreich. maria.teschler@univie.ac.at
Summary
Two early modern human deciduous teeth fragments were discovered at a 25,000 BP Gravettian site in Austria. These findings offer valuable insights into human evolution during the Upper Palaeolithic period.
Area of Science:
- Paleoanthropology
- Archaeology
Background:
- The Gravettian culture (approx. 33,000–26,000 BP) is known for its distinct stone tool technology and widespread presence across Eurasia.
- Understanding human populations during this period is crucial for tracing evolutionary pathways.
Observation:
- Two heavily eroded deciduous tooth fragments were unearthed at the Grub/Kranawetberg site in Lower Austria.
- These remains were recovered from sediment near a hearth within a cultural layer dated to 24,400–25,400 BP.
- The site also yielded numerous stone tools, bone points, and over sixty bone beads.
Findings:
- The tooth fragments were identified as a deciduous right first lower molar and a deciduous left lateral upper incisor.
- Morphological characteristics and degree of attrition suggest both teeth may belong to a single early modern human individual.
- Metrical analysis of the incisor indicates dimensions comparable to, though slightly smaller than, other known Upper Palaeolithic deciduous teeth.
Implications:
- These findings contribute to the limited sample of deciduous teeth from the Upper Palaeolithic era.
- The data aids in understanding human morphology and potential evolutionary trends from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Mesolithic.
- This discovery enhances our knowledge of early modern human presence and development in Central Europe.