Morphological variability of Upper Paleolithic and Mesolithic skulls from Sicily

Area of Science:

• Paleoanthropology
• Bioarchaeology
• Human Evolution

Background:

• Understanding Homo sapiens dispersal in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean is challenging due to limited osteological evidence and simplified archaeological settlement models.
• The initial peopling of Sicily by anatomically modern humans during the Late Pleistocene is hypothesized to have originated from the Italian peninsula, with a small Late Epigravettian population colonizing coastal areas.
• A subsequent Mesolithic expansion in Northwestern Sicily followed, prompting research into the continuity of human presence on the island.

Observation:

• This study analyzed Sicilian skulls from the Late Epigravettian (San Teodoro, ~14,500 BP) and Mesolithic periods (~9,500–8,500 BP) from various North-Western sites.
• 3D geometric morphometric methods were applied to assess craniofacial shape variation and morphological patterns.
• Comparative analysis included Old World populations from the Upper Paleolithic to recent periods.

Findings:

• Significant biological variability was observed among Mesolithic specimens.
• A notable craniometric distance was found between Mesolithic individuals and the presumed founder Late Epigravettian population from San Teodoro.
• The Late Epigravettian specimens exhibited closer morphological affinities to other European Upper Paleolithic populations.

Implications:

• The findings suggest distinct population dynamics and potential discontinuities in the peopling of Sicily between the Late Pleistocene and Mesolithic periods.
• This research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of early human migration patterns and population interactions in the Mediterranean.
• The study highlights the utility of 3D geometric morphometrics in reconstructing past human population relationships and variability.