External auditory exostoses and hearing loss in the Shanidar 1 Neandertal

Abstract

The Late Pleistocene Shanidar 1 older adult male Neandertal is known for the crushing fracture of his left orbit with a probable reduction in vision, the loss of his right forearm and hand, and evidence of an abnormal gait, as well as probable diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. He also exhibits advanced external auditory exostoses in his left auditory meatus and larger ones with complete bridging across the porus in the right meatus (both Grade 3). These growths indicate at least unilateral conductive hearing (CHL) loss, a serious sensory deprivation for a Pleistocene hunter-gatherer. This condition joins the meatal atresia of the Middle Pleistocene Atapuerca-SH Cr.4 in providing evidence of survival with conductive hearing loss (and hence serious sensory deprivation) among these Pleistocene humans. The presence of CHL in these fossils thereby reinforces the paleobiological and archeological evidence for supporting social matrices among these Pleistocene foraging peoples.

Calculated or caring? Neanderthal healthcare in social context

“…Thorpe (2016) and Doat (2016) likewise agree that evidence for recovery from injury and survival despite impairment should be accepted as evidence of care for the injured. Trinkaus and Villotte (2017) conclude that the survival of a number of Pleistocene archaic humans with pathologies indicates some level of social care. Spikins (2015Spikins ( , 2017, Spikins, Rutherford, and Needham (2010) and Tilley (2015) argue that widespread evidence of recovery reflects evolved caring motivations to ease suffering.…”

“…Shanidar 1 was aged between 35 and 50 when he died, but had suffered from a range of debilitating impairments (Crubézy and Trinkaus 1992, 411-412;Trinkaus and Zimmerman 1982, 61-62;Trinkaus 1983;Trinkaus and Villotte 2017). This included a violent blow to the face, possibly as a young adult, leaving him with blindness or only partial sight in the left eye, a withered right arm which had been fractured and healed resulting in the loss of his lower arm and hand and possible paralysis, deformities in his leg and foot leading to a painful limp and a hearing impairment.…”

“…Solecki (1971) and later Trinkaus and Shipman (1993) concluded that someone so badly injured could not have survived without daily provision of food and assistance. Moreover, Shanidar 1 was not alone in surviving trauma: Shanidar 3 similarly sustained injury likely requiring care (Trinkaus and Zimmerman 1982, 75;Trinkaus 1983) and many other Neanderthals show evidence of recovery from serious injury (Thorpe 2016;Doat 2016;Trinkaus and Villotte 2017). Given the prevalence of injury and survival across the skeletal sample of Neanderthals Trinkaus and Zimmerman commented (1982, 75) that Neanderthals 'had achieved a level of societal development in which disabled individuals were well cared for by other members of the social group'.…”

“…Certainly injury, disease and lasting impairments were a familiar element of Neanderthal lives, with certain Neanderthal specimens with severe yet healed injuries and illnesses being highly suggestive of care or long term accommodation (see Trinkaus and Villotte [2017]; Trinkaus and Zimmerman [1982]; Zollikofer et al [2002]; Trinkaus, Maley, and Buzhilova [2008]; Estabrook [2009]; Hublin [2009]; Thorpe [2016]; Tilley [2015]; Cunha [2016]). Of these, Shanidar 1 is the best known, as discussed earlier; however there are several other cases which would also warrant further detailed study.…”

“…Conversely fractured crania are likely to have had an impact on St Cesaire 1, and Krapina 37, whilst Shanidar 3 had a projectile point injury to the ninth rib (speculated to be a result of interaction with modern humans [Churchill et al 2009]). Whilst toothlessness does not necessarily imply care, Trinkaus argues that it is likely to have had more significant impact with severe inflammation as seen in Aubesier 11 and Guattari 1 (Trinkaus and Villotte 2017).…”