Dental evidence on the hominin dispersals during the Pleistocene

Abstract

A common assumption in the evolutionary scenario of the first Eurasian hominin populations is that they all had an African origin. This assumption also seems to apply for the Early and Middle Pleistocene populations, whose presence in Europe has been largely explained by a discontinuous flow of African emigrant waves. Only recently, some voices have speculated about the possibility of Asia being a center of speciation. However, no hard evidence has been presented to support this hypothesis. We present evidence from the most complete and up-to-date analysis of the hominin permanent dentition from Africa and Eurasia. The results show important morphological differences between the hominins found in both continents during the Pleistocene, suggesting that their evolutionary courses were relatively independent. We propose that the genetic impact of Asia in the colonization of Europe during the Early and Middle Pleistocene was stronger than that of Africa.Eurasia ͉ teeth

Hominins without fellow travellers? First appearances and inferred dispersals of Afro-Eurasian large-mammals in the Plio-Pleistocene

“…Recent work on Pleistocene hominin dental morphology suggests complexity of movement within Eurasia during the Middle Pleistocene rather than a discontinuous series of African incursions (Martinón-Torres et al, 2007), and this picture is supported by the results of a recent computer simulation study by Hughes et al (2007) on hominin dispersal patterns in relation to climatic changes. It may be significant for ideas about a southern route to Asia that the animals shared with peninsular India are generally omnivores or carnivores.…”

Radiometric dating of the type-site for Homo heidelbergensis at Mauer, Germany

“…However, the hemimandible from TD6 has been described as similar to jaws of Chinese Homo erectus, and its morphology is said to cast doubt on any phyletic link with Homo heidelbergensis or the Neanderthals (24). Recently it has been claimed that the hominin from Elefante is part of "a population coming from the east" that may be related to expansion "out of Africa" (25). At the Atapuerca localities, Homo antecessor occurs with core and flake tools (a mode 1 industry).…”

Morphological description and comparison of the dental remains from Atapuerca-Sima de los Huesos site (Spain)

“…Table 4 Definitions and grades of expression for the main dental morphological traits analyzed in this study. For a more detailed explanation, see Carlsen (1987), Turner et al (1991), Scott and Turner (1997), and Martin6n-Torres et al (2007b.…”