Neanderthal teeth from Lezetxiki (Arrasate, Iberian Peninsula): New insights and reassessment

Neanderthal teeth from Lezetxiki (Arrasate, Iberian Peninsula): New insights and reassessment

Objectives We reassess the taxonomic assignment and stratigraphic context of a permanent upper first molar and a permanent lower third premolar recovered from the archeological site of Lezetxiki in the North of the Iberian Peninsula. Materials and Methods We assessed the external and internal morpho...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of biological anthropology 2023-04, Vol.180 (4), p.745-760
Main Authors: López‐Onaindia, Diego, Lozano, Marina, Gómez‐Robles, Aida, Arrizabalaga, Alvaro, Subirà, M. Eulàlia
Format: Article
Language:eng
Subjects:
dental tissue proportions
geometric morphometrics
Humanities and Social Sciences
Life Sciences
microtomography
Paleolithic
stratigraphy
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Summary:Objectives We reassess the taxonomic assignment and stratigraphic context of a permanent upper first molar and a permanent lower third premolar recovered from the archeological site of Lezetxiki in the North of the Iberian Peninsula. Materials and Methods We assessed the external and internal morphology of the teeth using qualitative descriptions, crown diameters, dental tissue proportions, and geometric morphometrics. The teeth from Lezetxiki were compared with Middle Pleistocene specimens, Neanderthals, Upper Paleolithic modern humans, and recent modern humans. Results Both teeth were consistent with a Neanderthal classification. The upper first molar shows taurodontism, and its cusp proportions and overall morphology match those of Neanderthals. Geometric morphometric analyses of occlusal anatomy classify this molar as a Neanderthal with a posterior probability of 76%. The lower third premolar, which was originally classified as a lower fourth premolar, also shows a Neanderthal morphology. This premolar is classified as a Neanderthal with a posterior probability of 60%. Discussion These teeth represent the only adult Neanderthal teeth from the Western Pyrenees region found to date. The teeth were found at a stratigraphic level (designated Level III) that marks the transition level from Mousterian to Aurignacian, and are among the most recent Neanderthal remains from the north of the Iberian Peninsula.
ISSN:2692-7691
2692-7691