Palaeopathology of the Pleistocene specimen D2600 from Dmanisi (Republic of Georgia)
Here we present a detailed palaeopathological study of the hominin mandible D2600 recovered at the Dmanisi site, Republic of Georgia. The Dmanisi assemblage represents the earliest evidence of hominins outside Africa with an age of 1.8 Ma. D2600 is the holotype of Homo georgicus species and its taxo...
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| Published in: | Comptes rendus. Palevol 2014-03, Vol.13 (3), p.189-203 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | eng |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | Here we present a detailed palaeopathological study of the hominin mandible D2600 recovered at the Dmanisi site, Republic of Georgia. The Dmanisi assemblage represents the earliest evidence of hominins outside Africa with an age of 1.8 Ma. D2600 is the holotype of Homo georgicus species and its taxonomic assignment is still under debate. Our study reveals severe and unusual dental wear accompanied of extensive root exposure and dental axial migration, periapical abscesses and enamel fractures. In addition, there is evidence of post-eruptive tooth rotation and temporomandibular arthropathy. We propose that the wear pattern observed in this individual is related to a diet with a high intake of fibrous and abrasive foods such as fruits and plants, as it is usually recorded in chimpanzees and gorillas and unlike the wear pattern observed in other Homo specimens of our comparative sample. The rounded occlusal surfaces and highly polished labio-lingual surfaces of D2600 anterior teeth could be mainly the consequence of pre- and/or para-masticatory activities such as gripping and stripping. This type of food would be also the origin of the highly cupped occlusal morphology of the posterior dentition in combination with relatively slight approximal attrition. However, the lesions exhibited by D2600 have not significantly altered the morphology of the mandible and do not prevent a proper taxonomic assessment.
Ici est présentée une étude paléopathologique détaillée de la mâchoire humaine D2600, recueillie au site de Dmanisi, en république de Géorgie. L’assemblage de Dmanisi représente la preuve la plus récente d’hominiens hors de l’Afrique ; il est daté de 1,8 Ma. D2600 est l’holotype de l’espèce Homo georgicus, et son attribution taxonomique est encore débattue. Notre étude révèle une usure sévère et inhabituelle, avec exposition extensive de la racine et déplacement axial de la dent, abcès péri-apicaux et fractures de l’émail. En outre, il y a rotation de la dent après l’éruption dentaire et arthropathie temporo-maxillaire. Les auteurs proposent de relier le patron d’usure observé chez cet individu à son alimentation, avec ingestion importante de nourriture fibreuse et abrasive, tels que fruits et plantes, comme on le rapporte couramment chez les chimpanzés et les gorilles, mais contrairement à ce qu’indique le patron d’usure observé chez d’autres spécimens d’Homo de notre échantillonnage de comparaison. Les surfaces occlusales arrondies et les surfaces labio-ling |
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| ISSN: | 1631-0683 |