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The Neanderthal cervical spine revisited.

Carlos A Palancar1, Daniel García-Martínez2, Markus Bastir1

  • 1Group of Paleoanthropology, Department of Paleobiology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), 28006, Madrid, Spain.

Journal of Human Evolution
|June 17, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Neanderthal cervical spines were not less lordotic than modern humans. New 3D analysis reveals distinct Neanderthal neck morphology, suggesting greater lordosis and adaptations for robust neck musculature and potentially altered respiratory biomechanics.

Keywords:
LordosisMorphologyNeckVertebraeVertebral column

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Area of Science:

  • Paleoanthropology
  • Functional Morphology
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Previous research suggested Neanderthals had a more stable, less lordotic cervical spine compared to Homo sapiens.
  • This notion has been recently challenged, necessitating further investigation into Neanderthal cervical vertebral morphology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct the first 3D geometric morphometric analysis of the Neanderthal cervical spine.
  • To compare Neanderthal cervical vertebrae morphology with that of diverse Homo sapiens populations.
  • To re-evaluate hypotheses regarding cervical lordosis and functional adaptations in Neanderthals.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized 3D geometric morphometrics to analyze 43 Homo neanderthalensis cervical vertebrae (C1-C7).
  • Compared Neanderthal specimens with 243 Homo sapiens cervical vertebrae from various populations.
  • Examined vertebral shape, spinous processes, articular facets, and transverse processes orientation.

Main Results:

  • Identified distinct Neanderthal cervical spine morphology: craniocaudally shorter, mediolaterally wider, with longer spinous processes and horizontally oriented articular facets.
  • Challenged previous hypotheses by suggesting Neanderthals may have had greater cervical lordosis than modern humans, based on mean forms and Cobb angle measurements.
  • Observed differences in transverse process orientation, potentially impacting neck muscle function and respiratory biomechanics.

Conclusions:

  • Neanderthal cervical spine morphology differs significantly from Homo sapiens, particularly in lower cervical levels.
  • Findings suggest robust neck musculature adaptations in Neanderthals for head support and joint stability.
  • Morphological differences imply potential variations in respiratory biomechanics and capacity between Neanderthals and modern humans.