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Did Neandertals have large brains? Factors affecting endocranial volume comparisons
Caroline VanSickle1, Zachary Cofran2, David Hunt3
1Department of Anatomy, A.T. Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, Missouri, USA.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
|January 18, 2021
Summary
Neandertals did not have uniquely large brains compared to modern humans. Their endocranial volume (ECV) falls within the upper range of modern human variation, challenging previous assumptions in paleoanthropology.
Area of Science:
- Paleoanthropology
- Human Evolution
- Comparative Anatomy
Background:
- Commonly held belief suggests Neandertals possessed larger brains than modern humans.
- This study investigates Neandertal brain size relative to modern humans, considering methodological variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that there is no significant difference in brain size between Neandertals and modern humans.
- To re-evaluate Neandertal encephalization in light of comparative data.
Main Methods:
- Examined endocranial volume (ECV) from virtual endocasts of 11 Neandertals and 94 modern humans.
- Utilized femoral head diameter (FHD) for brain size scaling analysis.
- Employed bootstrap resampling and ordinary least squares regression for statistical comparison.
Main Results:
- Neandertals showed significantly larger ECV only when compared to modern human females.
- Regression analysis indicated Neandertal brain size falls within the upper range of modern human variation.
- Neandertals' brain size does not exceed that of modern humans.
Conclusions:
- Neandertals did not have uniquely large brains relative to modern humans.
- Findings suggest Neandertal brain size is comparable to the larger end of modern human variation.
- Revises understanding of Neandertal encephalization and its implications for future research.
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