In situ observations on the dentition and oral cavity of the Neanderthal skeleton from Altamura (Italy)

Abstract

The Neanderthal specimen from Lamalunga Cave, near Altamura (Apulia, Italy), was discovered during a speleological survey in 1993. The specimen is one of the most complete fossil hominins in Europe and its state of preservation is exceptional, although it is stuck in calcareous concretions and the bones are mostly covered by calcite depositions. Nevertheless, it is possible to carry out some observations on craniodental features that have not previously been described. In this work, we present an account of the oral cavity, made possible by the use of a videoscope, which allowed us to reach some hidden parts of the mandible and palate. This is the first detailed overview of the teeth and maxillary bones of the Neanderthal skeleton from Altamura. The dentition is almost complete. However, two teeth (upper right P3 and upper left M1) were lost ante mortem and four teeth (lower right I1 and P3 and lower left I1 and I2) were lost most probably post mortem. Dental wear is marked. The erupted M3s and the inversion of the compensating curve of Wilson in the M1s and M2s but not in the M3s suggest that the individual is fully adult, but not old. Although most of the teeth have their roots exposed for several millimeters, the periodontal bone appears to be in good condition overall, except in correspondence of the two ante-mortem tooth losses. X-rays of the anterior teeth show a periapical lesion, probably linked to the advanced dental wear. We also observed a weak expression of taurodontism in the posterior dentition and the presence of a retromolar space, features consistent with an attribution to the Neanderthal hypodigm; this attribution is also supported by aspects of the cranial morphology, the morphometric analysis of the scapula and preliminary mtDNA data. There is also a well-developed palatine torus, to the best of our knowledge a feature not previously described in Neanderthals.

Oral Infections in Ancient Human Skulls in 2000 BC/ Iron Age, Iran

“…This disease existed in prehistoric and Paleolithic times ( 15 ). In the period when Neanderthals, used their teeth more than ancient people to cut meat and anything else, it causes the gum to be cut or the tooth to be pulled out and as a result, the infection penetrates into the wound.…”

Origini, forma e (dis)funzioni dell’apparato masticatorio in Homo sapiens

“…L'usura della superficie occlusale è in relazione alla durata della vita dell'individuo e può essere utile per stimarne approssimativamente l'età (Molnar, McKee, e Molnar 1983;Brown, Chapman 1991, Riga et al 2020; rimodella continuamente le superfici occlusali realizzando l'adattamento necessario che permette alla nostra sostanza più dura e resistente di armonizzarsi ai mutamenti dovuti all'età, alle patologie, ai traumi e ai cambiamenti posturali che il sistema stomatognatico subisce.…”

Temperature fluctuations and ventilation dynamics induced by atmospheric pressure variations in Lamalunga Cave (Apulia, Italy) and their influences on speleothem growth

“…U-Th dating of the calcite crust immediately coating the bone yielded an age between 130.1 ± 1.9 ka and 172 ± 15 ka (Lari et al, 2015). These exceptional data resulted in new research activities financed by the Italian Ministry of Instruction, University and Research (MIUR), including morphological study of the scapula (Di Vincenzo et al, 2019), in-situ observations on the dentition and oral cavity (Riga et al, 2020), and virtual reconstruction and external morphological analysis of a 3D model of the cranium (Profico et al, 2023). Concurrently, a detailed monitoring program was carried out to assess the current conditions for preservation of the skeleton.…”