Neanderthal child and adult remains from a Mousterian deposit in Northern Italy (Caverna delle fate, finale ligure)

Giacomo

Giacobini

Department of Human Anatomy,

Universit?z degli Studi di Torino, Corso M.D'Azeglio 52, 10126 Torino, Italy

Marie-Antoinette

Lumley

de

Institut de Paldontologie Humaine, 1, rue Rend-Panhard, Paris, France

Yuji Yokoyama H u n - V a n Nguyen Centre des Faibtes Radioactivit~s, 91190 Gif-sur-Yve~te, France Received 27 April 1984 and accepted 29 June 1984

Neanderthal Child and Adult Remains from a Mousterian Deposit in Northern Italy (Caverna Delle Fate, Finale Ligure) Recent identification of human skeletal material ti'om the early Wfirmian bone assemblage found in the Caverna delle Fate, Finale Ligure, N. Italy, at the end of the 19th century has provided the first certain Neandertbalian remains of Northern Italy. A frontal bone fragment (Le Fate I) and a hemimandible (Le Fate II) are from an 8-10-year-old child and add to the as yet scanty knowledge of Neanderthal infant morphology. The third fragment (Le Fate III) (mandible fragment) is from an adult. Evolutionary trends involving several morphological features and in apparent contrast with the absolute age of the specimens (75,000 +2100o 14',00oand 82,000 +~;oo~ yr B.P., as calculated by direct non-destructive highresolution gamma-ray spectrometry of the bones fi'om the 23ipa/~35U and from the 2~~ ratios respectively) are described. The data as a whole lend further support to the suggestion that a Mediterranean Neanderthal population may have existed.

Keywords: Neanderthal man, Le Fate, frontal bone, mandible, absolute dating, gamma-ray spectrometry.

1, I n t r o d u c t i o n The human remains described in this paper were identified during a recent revision (weiiminary data in Giacobini & de Lumlcy, 1983, 1984) of the bone assemblage collected by Gian Battista Amerano in 1887 and 1888 from the Mousterian layers of the Cavcrna delle Fate (Cave of the Fairies), near Finale Ligure, Savona (N. Italy) (Figure 1). This cave is located 280 metres above sea level on the Manic plateau some 4 km N.E. of Finale Ligurc. Its mouth is on the left flank of the Valle di Ponci and dominates the valley floor. A wide opening facing S.W. reveals a 5 x 20 m room that extends southwards via a corridor that leads to a series of galleries and rooms fbr about 150 m. Amerano's excavations in the corridor brought to light a Middle Neolithic and an Old Neolithic layer, then sterile clay and the Mousterian layers (Amcrano, 1889a, b; for references on early excavations, see also de Lumley, 1969). The inner rooms contain an abundant cave bear cemetery. The plateau also contains another important Mousterian deposit, known as the Arma dclle Manie (Isetti & de Lumley, 1962). Recent digs in this site have been made by the Museo di Finale (G. Vicino, pers~ comm.). 2. Fauna and Industry in the Caverna delle Fate Mousterian Levels In the Mousterian layers, the associated faunal assemblage has been considered to be representative of the first Wiirmian stage; it is mainly represented by Ursus spelaeus and also includes Panthera (Leo) spetaea, Panthera (Panthera) pardus, Crocuta spetaea, Canis lupus, Vulpes .Journal of Human Evolution (1984) 13, 687-707 0047 2484/84/080687 + 21 $03.00/0

9 1984 Academic Press Inc. (London) Limited

688

G. GIACOBINI E T A L . Figure 1. M a p showing the site location and the pla~l of the Gaverna delle Fate. The h u m a n remains come from the Mousterian levels in the dotted area (Amerano's excavations, 1887-88).

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vulpes, Dicerorhinus mercki, Cervus elaphus, Capreolus capreolus, Bos primigenius, Capra ibex, Equus caballus and Sus scrofa (de Lumlcy, 1969). The industry collected in the same layers has been classified as a Typical Mousterian, rich in scrapers, which, owing to its technical and typological features, corresponds to an industry of Levallois technique and of non-Levalloisian facies. Similar industries are relatively frequent in the region. There are several analogies with the Mousterian of the Grotta del Principe (layer E), the Madonna dell'Arma (layer Q), the Grotte de Rigabc (layer G) and of the Grotte de B~zal de Sauvignargues (see de Lumlcy, 1969).

3. General Appearance of the Human Remains The human remains show the same degree of fossilization as the thunal material. The bones are slightly mineralized and light yellowish brown, with black variegations. The fracture surface has an ancient appearance. The tooth enamel is shiny and whitish, with darker linear striae. The following names have been assigned to the remains: Le Fate I (child's frontal bone), Le Fate II (child's half-mandible), and Le Fate III (adult mandible fragment). They were formerly part of the Amcrano Collection, Turin Antiquities Museum, and are now housed in the H u m a n Palaeontology Laboratory, Department of H u m a n Anatomy, University of Turin.

4. Le Fate I (see Figures 2 and 3) This is an incomplete frontal bone of a child. On the right, only the superior part of the squama and the lamina orbitalis are missing, whereas all that remains on the left is the pars nasalis, with a small squama and lamina fragment. There is an oval, pathological depression (8 • 14 mm) in the lateral third of the right supraorbital torus. Its base is covered with small vascular openings. The possible age of Le Fate I is 8-10 yr (see below).

NEANDERTHAL

REMAINS FROM CAVERNA DELLE FATE

689

In what follows, the data on other Neanderthal child remains are taken from: Tillier (1982) (Gibraltar 2, 5 yr); Tillier (1983) (Engis 2, 5-6 yr); de Lumley (1973) (Carigiiela, 6 yr); Legoux (1966) (La Quina H 18, 6-8 yr); Gremiatski (1949) and Ullrich (1955) (Teshik-Tash, 9 yr). The modern data were obtained from children's skulls in the Turin Department of Anatomy's craniological collection. Figure 2. I,e Fate I (child's ti'ontal bone). (a) Frontal, (b) superior and (c) right lateral views. Natural size.

690

O. GIACOBINI

ET AL.

Figure 3. Lc Fate 1 (child's frontal bone). (a) Inferior and (b) cndocramc views; (c) AP radiogram. Natural size.

NEANDERTHAL

REMAINS FROM CAVERNA

DELLE FATE

691

Morphometry The measurements of this specimen are compared with those of Neanderthal children of the same age, Neanderthal adults and modern 8-10 yr-old children in Table 1. The minimum frontal bt'eadth obtained by doubling the half-size (92 ram) is close to the mean value for modern adults. The Carigfiela and Teshik-Tash specimens are slightly broader. It may be supposed that the La Quina H 18 child (6-8 yr) would probably have had the same breadth as Le Fate I at the age of S-10 yr. The (reconstructed) biorbital breadth (about 100 mm) is similar to that of the Carig/iela and Teshik-Tash specimens, whereas La Quina H 18 is smaller and similar to the mean fbr modern children. The index of postorbital narrowing used to compare these two measurements revealed marked narrowing closer to the mean for adult rather than young Neanderthals. The bistephanic breadth (about 104 mm) was equivalent to that ofLa Quina H 18, and less than those of Carigiiela and Teshik-Tash and the modern mean for children. The anteroposterior -widening index, which relates the bistephanic and minimum frontal breadths, was 88"5. This is greater than that of other Neanderthal and modern children, and nearer to the mean for Neanderthal adults. The interorbital breadth (26 mm) was very high. While not as much as the 29"5 mm recorded for the Carigfiela specimen, it exceeds that of all other Neanderthal children and the mean for modern children (25 mm). The interorbital index (Le Fate I = 26"0) is equivalent to that of Neanderthal adults, and is evidence of the importance of the interorbital as opposed to the biorbital breadth.

Morphology Top side (norma verticalis) [Figure 2(b)]. The main feature is the marked postorbital narrowing. As already mentioned, this is more pronounced than in other Neanderthal children (Figure 4). Another f~ature is the protruding glabella. This is already present in a rudimentary form in Carigfiela, Gibraltar 2 and Teshik-Tash.

Lateral side (norma lateral#) [Figure 2(c)]. By comparison with other Neanderthal children, the glabella/ is more prominent and the nasion set further back. The supraglabellar fossa is depressed/as in CariguEla and La Quina H 18, and more so than in other Neanderthal children. (Fhe temporal crest is evident, broad and only slightly curved. The temporal facet is convex, as in the Teshik-Tash and the La-Chapelle-aux-Saints adult.

Front side (normaJizcialis) [Figure 2 (a)]. The supraorbital torus is very evident, with thsion of the superciliary arch, orbital arch and glabella: The supraglabellar and supratoral furrows are markedly depressed. The curve of the orbital edge suggests that the orbits themselves were oval-rectangular. The border of the orbit displays a feature typical of Neanderthal children, i.e. the superior orbital point is clearly displaced medially (as in Carigfiela, Gibraltar 2, La Quina H 18 and Teshik-Tash) and not towards the centre of the arch as is usually the case in modern children. The length of the nasal process (distance between the nasion and the tangent to the orbital margins) is short (6 ram), like that of the Carigfiela specimen (7 mm). As we have seen, the interorbital breadth (26 mm) is only exceeded by that of Carigiiela.

Minimum frontal breadth Biorbital breadth Index of postorbital narrowing Bistephanic breadth Index of anteroposterior widening Interorbital breadth I nterorbital index

Table 1

96 99 96'9 120 80"0 29'5 32~8

(92) (104)

(88'5) 26 (26"0)

Carigiiela (6yr)

(92) (100)

Le Fate I (8-10 yr)

84"6 (16) (16"3)

97'8 104

88 90

La Quina H 18 (6-8 yr)

84"7 25 25"5

98 118

100 102

Teshik-Tash (9yr)

82'9 (range 80-4-85) 19"3 (range 17-21) 21'3 (range 19-2-22.0)

98"2 (range 96"1-100) 107 (range 104-109)

89 (range 8695) 90,6 (range 87-97)

Modern children 8-10yr (N= 5)

90 (range 83"5-95"2) 31 (range 26-33) 26'0 (range 24-0-31'5)

88-4 (range 84"8-90'3) 118"8 (range 105-127)

106 (range 100-11 I) 119'2 (range 111-126)

Neanderthal adults (average)

M e a s u r e m e n t s of Le Fate I (child's frontal bone) c o m p a r e d with those of N e a n d e r t h a l c h i l d r e n of similar age, m o d e r n 8 - 1 0 yrwold children and N e a n d e r t h a l adults. M e a s u r e m e n t s are indicated in ram; those in brackets are m a d e on reconstructions. For references, see text

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N E A N D E R T H A L REMAINS FROM C A V E R N A D E L L E FATE

693

Figure 4. Superposition of cranial contours (frontal segment, upper view) of Le Fate I, Cariguela, Teshik-Tash, and of an 8 yr-old modern child. Note the marked postorbital narrowing and protruding glabeila of Le Fate I.

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Garigi~ela

_ _

Modern child (8 yr)

2

Bottom side (norma basilaris) [Figure 3 (a)]. Once again, the marked postorbital narrowing is very evident. The surviving part of the roof of the orbit has a wide, deep fossa glandulae lacrimalis. As in Carigfiela, it is smaller than in modern children. The fovea trochlearis is preserved on both sides. As in Carigiiela, it is distinct and more evident than in modern children. Endrocranial surface [Figure 3(b)]. This bears distinct impressions of the brain, meninges and vessels. The crista frontalis is evident, though broken at several points. In the top part of the fragment, it begins to divide into two in the impression of the sinus sagittalis superior. At the side, some thin ramifications of the anterior and middle meningeal vessels can be discerned. Brain morphology. A proposed reconstruction of the brain morphology from an endocranial cast of Le Fate I is shown in Figure 5. It is confined to the mctopic surface of the right frontal lobe and a small surface of" the left lobe. Lobe development seems to be slightly less than in modern children of the same age. The main feature of the model is the marked development of the encephalic beak in relation to the large interorbital breadth. The longitudinal fissure is very clear, as in Carigiiela. The endocranial cast enables the anterior and ascending rami of the lateral sulcus to be recognized. They form the boundary of a fairly well developed cap de Broca. The superior (fl) and inferior (f2) frontal sulci fbrming the boundary of the superior, middle and inferior gyri (F1, F2, F3) are also recognizable. The middle gyrus is complex and appears to be virtually divided into two by a middle frontal sulcus, as is often the case in modern man and seems to be constant in Neanderthal man. Frontal sinuses. These are visible on the nasal face of the frontal bone. They are at an initial stage of development and still fully confined within the nasal portion of the bone, i.e. they have not yet invaded the glabellar and orbital regions, as is usually the case in the Neanderthal adult. The left sinus is slightly larger. As can be seen in the radiogram [Figure 3(c)], the supraorbital torus is formed of spongy bone, and does not contain an elongation of the sinus as in Carigfiela. In Le Fate I, therefore, the sinuses are less developed than in Carigiiela and La Quina H 18, and comparable with those of a modern 8-10 yr-old child.

694 Figure 5. S c h e m a t i c of the endoc: ranial cast of Le Fate I. Proposed i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of frontal lobe morphology. F1, F2, F3 = superior, m i d d l e a n d inferior frontal gyri; fl, t"2 = superior a n d inferior frontal sulci; eb = encephalic beak; cB = cap de Broca; If = l o n g i t u d i n a l lissure; asl = a s c e n d i n g r a m u s of lateral sulcus; anl = a n t e r i o r r a m u s of lateral sulcus; O F I , OF2, O F 3 = superior, m i d d l e and inferior orbito-frontal gyri; a m = ramifications of m e n i n g e a l vessels; ss sinus sagittalis superior; ag = arachnoid granulation.

o. GIACOBIN1 ET AL.

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ag

f2asl. ~ ~fl .cB anl ag

In this connection, it should not be forgotten that development of the frontal sinuses varies greatly from one person to another. In Neanderthals it is separate from that of the supraorbital torus. Age at death and sex

The morphology and morphometric features of this frontal bone, compared with those of Neanderthal and present-day children, suggest that it belonged to a child aged 8-10 yr (and thus comparable to the Teshik-Tash specimen). The metopic suture is not visible (i.e. the age must be more than 6 yr). The bistephanic breadth is smaller than that of the Teshik-Tash specimen (9 yr) and the Carig{iela specimen (6 yr), and is similar to that o f L a Quina H 18 (6-8 yr). The biorbital breadth is similar to that of Carig/iela and Teshik-Tash. An age range of 8-10 yr would thus appear the most likely deduction. The sex, of course, cannot be determined from so small a fragment. The development of the supraorbital torus is more pronounced than in any other Neanderthal child, and this may be seen as a sign that the frontal bone is that of a male.

5. Le Fate II (see Figures 6 and 7) This is an almost Complete left mandible of a child. It is broken mesially along an oblique plane involving the i2 alveoluS and running downwards to a point just left of the midiine. The condyle and the tip of the coracoid process are missing. The deciduous teeth have all fallen out. The following permanent teeth are visible: Mi (completely erupted); Cl and M2 (about to erupt); Pb P2 (germs visible at the base of the m] and m2 sockets). The possible age of Le Fate II is 9-10 yr (see later). In what follows, the data on other

N E A N D E R T H A L REMAINS FROM CAVERNA DELLE FATE

695

Neanderthal child remains of similar age are taken from: Tillier (1982) (Gibraltar 2, 5 yr); Ascenzi & Segre (1971) (Archi, 5-6 yr); Schaafhausen (1880) (Sipka, 8-9 yr); Gremiatski (1949) (Teshik-Tash, 9 yr); de Lumley (1973) (Hortus II, 9-10 yr; Hortus IV, 17 yr); Blanc (1954) (Circeo IV 10 yr). Comparison is occasionally made with the ]ebel Irhoud 3 Figure 6. Lc Fate [I (child's left half-mandible). (a) External, (b) occlusal, (c) internal and (d) intkrior views. Natural size.

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696

o. GIACOBINI ET A L .

Figure 7. Le Fate II. (a) Lateral and (b) occlusal radiograms. (c) Le }'ate II. Detail of M > (d) Le Fate III. Detail of M>

N E A N D E R T H A L R E M A I N S FROM C A V E R N A D E L L E FATE

697

North African N e a n d e r t h a l o i d specimen (8-9 yr) ( H u b l i n & Tillier, 1971). For references c o n c e r n i n g adult Neanderthals, see de Lumley (1973) and Wolpoffet al. (1981). As in the case of the frontal bone, the m o d e r n data were obtained from children's skulls in the T u r i n D e p a r t m e n t of A n a t o m y ' s craniological collection.

Morphometry T h e m a n d i b l e m u s t have been relatively wide and short, though its total dimensions c a n n o t be d e t e r m i n e d from a specimen lacking certain essential parts. Some m e a s u r e m e n t s o b t a i n e d on the h a l f - m a n d i b l e are compared with those of N e a n d e r t h a l children of similar age a n d m o d e r n children in T a b l e 2. T h e robustness index (measured at the m e n t a l foramen) is one of the highest recorded for N e a n d e r t h a l s a n d Homo erectus, a n d is indicative of a low, thick jaw. The index is m u c h lower (average 40.8) in m o d e r n children of the same age. Despite a certain a m o u n t of d a m a g e , the symphyseal profile can be worked out with sufficient precision. T h e m e n t a l angle (inti~adentale-pogonion) is at 90 ~ to the resting plane. Along with Hortus I I (87~ La Ferrassie (85~ La Q u i n a H 9 (90 ~ and V i n d i j a (average 87~ this is one of the lowest values in the N e a n d e r t h a l series, and m a y also be a consequence of the y o u n g age of the subject. O n the ramus, only thc m i n i n m m b r e a d t h can be measured accurately. At 30 ram, this is exactly the same as that of T e s h i k - T a s h and greater than the average 26 m m observed in

Table 2 M e a s u r e m e n t s of La Fate II (child's left h a l f - m a n d i b l e ) c o m p a r e d w i t h t h o s e o f N e a n d e r t h a l c h i l d r e n o f s i m i l a r age and m o d e r n 8 - 1 0 yr-old c h i l d r e n . M e a s u r e m e n t s are i n d i c a t e d in m m or degrees; those in brackets are m a d e o n r e c o n s t r u c t i o n s . For r e f e r e n c e s , see text

Le Fate II (9-10 yr)

Teshik-Tash (9yr)

Hortus II (9-10 yr)

Modern children 8-10yr (N= 5)

22 21 18"5 12"5 12.7 14"0

26 26 23.4 15 15 14-4

(25) (25-5) 15 15 --

25"6 (range 23 27) 26-0 (range 22-29) 21.0 (range 18'5 24) 11"1 (range 9-12) 10"5 (range 9-12) 12'7 (range 11-14)

56"8

57"7

(60)

43'0 (range 40-9-45"3)

60"5

57"7

(58'8)

40'8 (range 38'0-43'2)

75'7

61"5

(90)

90

87

83"0 (range 80-84)

(78)

75

79

86'5 (range 83 88)

30

29"9

(45)

58

Corpus

Height at ml m2 border Height at foramenmentale Height at mz-M~border Thickness at ml-m2border Thickness at foramen mentale Thickness at m~-Mi border Robustness index at m I mz border Robustness index at foramen mentale Robustness index at m2-Ml Infradentale-pogonion angle (on resting plane) I nfradentale-gnathion angle (on resting plane) Ramus Minimum breadth Coronion-inferior margin height

63' 1 (range 59"4-69'1)

26 (range 24-27) --

47 (range 44-50)

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G. GIACIOBINI E T A L .

modern children, while it is the same as the average tor modern European adults. The coronoid height (45 mm) obtained by reconstructing the missing tip of the coronoid process is an indication of the height of the ramus. The Werth index (ratio between tile minimum ramus breadth and the coronoid height) is therefore about 66"5 (La-Chapelle-aux-Saints 64-7). It corresponds to a ramus that is decidedly lower and wider than that of a modern child of the same age (average Werth index 56"5). The mandibular angle cannot be calculated because the condyle is missing, though it is probably about 125 ~ In other words, the ramus is less inclined on the body of the mandible than in modern children aged 8-10 yr (average 137~

Morphology (Figure 6) Body (corpusmandibulae). As already

shown by the robustness index, the Le Fate I I corpus is low and thick. On its external face, one can make out the torus lateralis superior, emphasized by the poorly developed sulcus extramolaris and the sulcus intertoralis. An angle of 135 ~ with the prominentia lateralis as its vertex is formed between the torus and the prolongation of the anterior margin of the ramus (Hortus IV, 144~ In modern man, especially in childhood, the two ridges flow into each other to form a regular curve. The sulcus intertoralis (between the lateral superior and the marginal torus) is shallow and very open. It terminates anteriorly against the edge of the mental foramen, and continues in front of the foramen as far as the fossa mentalis. This arrangement is reminiscent of the Archi infantile Neanderthalian mandible. The marginal torus is well developed in Le Fate II. It begins at the tuberculum marginale anterius and continues to below the border between M1 and M2. There is only one mental foramen. It corresponds to the mesial part of the m2 alveolus as a projection on the dental arch. It is slightly shifted towards the inferior margin of the mandible. Its position is relatively high for a Neanderthal, and similar to that of Hortus IV, Circeo I I and I I I (superior foramen). The foramen is large (5-5 x 3'5 ram) and oval, as is usually the case in Neanderthals. The outlet of the foramen is directed upwards and backwards, as in Hortus II and Regourdou. The mylohyoid line can be seen on the internal face of the corpus, h begins anteriorly near the eminentia rotunda and is immediately followed by an approximately 10 m m gap that leaves a communication between the sublingual and submaxillary fossae (as in Ehringsdorfadult). The line then continues and ends behind M2, bilurcating into a branch directed towards the lingula and another that continues towards the entocoronoid crista, as can be seen in many K r a p i n a jawbones. The submaxillary fossa is divided into two secondary fossae: anterior (smaller) and posterior. It is generally narrower and shallower in modern children of the same age. The sublingual fossa is barely identifiable, as in Hortus IV, Regourdou and La Ferrassie, whereas it is generally extensive, deep and more pronounced than tile submaxillary fossa in modern children of the same age as Le Fate II. The inferior margin of the body of the mandible is almost straight. It has two slight concavities, one between the symphysis and the anterior tubercle, the other (inframarginal notch) between the tubercle and the gonion. Its thickness follows the classic Neanderthal pattern: regular increase from the gonion to a maximum at the symphysis, whereas in modern man (even during childhood) it increases from the gonion to M2-M1, then diminishes as far as P~-PI, followed by a slight increase towards the symphysis.

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REMAINS FROM CAVERNA DELLE FATE

699

Symphyseal region. The symphyseal profile is almost straight and parallel to the frontal plane. It proceeds almost vertically downwards from the incision to tile pogonion, and then slightly backwards as far as the inferior margin of the mandible. The chin is thus relatively less receding than in other Neanderthals. A similar shape is observed in Hortus II. This corresponds to the situation of the basilar arch, which projects inside the alveolar arch, and not backwards. The fossa mentalis is evident. It has a half-moon shape and embraces the canine eminence, as in Archi. The eminence itself is well developed. As in Archi, Hortus I I and Jcbcl IrhoUd, it corresponds to the bulging caused by the germ of the permanent canine. Owing to partial loss of the symphyseal region, the morphological components of the chin (trigonum metale, mentum osseum) are not easily discernible. The planum alvcolare is present, though not very wide. It forms an angle of about 46 ~ (Hortus I I 53 ~ With the alveolar plane. The superior transverse torus is not very distinct, and the inferior torus is barely identifiable. The fossa genioglossa is visible, and the geniohyoid fi~ssa is very small. The digastric fbssa is shifted towards the inferior margin of the bone, and oriented downwards and backwards. It is elliptical (15 x 6 mm). As in Hortus II, the hollow is divided into an anteroinferior and a posterosuperior tbssa by a blunt ridge.

Ramus. As shown by the morphometric data, the ramus is relatively low and wide, and only shallowly inclined with respect to the body of the mandible by compariSon with modern children of the same age. On the external face of the ramus, the ectocondyloid crista is very evident. It terminates forwards and downwards with a hint of the vertical crista. The eminentia lateralis is fused with the vertical crista and surrounded b'clow and at its sides by a semilunar inferior masseterine fossa, which is much more developed than in modern children of the same age. The superior masseterine fossa, too, is very marked, as in other Neanderthals, whereas in modern man it is often virtually non-existent. On the internal face of the ramus, the endocondyloid crista has developed in much the same way, while the endocoronoid crista is much more evident than in modern children. The pterygoid tubercle is also very pronounced. Distinct insertion ridges and a wide pterygoid fossa suggest that the medial pterygoid muscle was well developed. The planum triangulare is very concave as in other Neanderthals, whereas it is almost flat in modern man. The wide, oval and flared mandibular tbramen is midway between the typical shape in modern man and the horizontal-oval shape f)cequently observed in Neanderthals (Smith, i978). The lingula is large and rectangular. The coron0id process, though damaged, is wider and more robust than that of a modern child. The retromolar groove is long and deep, and resembles that of an adult Neanderthal.

Basilar, alveolar and dental arches (Figure 8). Reconstruction of tile missing (right) half shows that these take the form of a rather wide parabola. The dental arch, while only approximately reconstructed in the incisor segment, appears to lack the frontal disposition of the anterior teeth observed, fbr example, in Teshik-Tash and Hortus II, though equally absent in Gibraltar 2,Jebel Irhoud 3 and Archi. Examination of the top surface reveals the posterior face (planum alveolarc) of the symphyscal region, but not the anterior t~ace, as is usually the case in Neanderthals. The basilar arch, however, does not project beyond tile posterior limit of the alveolar arch, but crosses it for half its width. The same characteristic

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Figure 8. Schematic of the reconstructed basilar, alveolar and dental arches of Le Fate II.

I II

.

.

.

.

.

Basilar arch

can be discerned to varying degrees in Hortus II, Circeo II, La Quina H 5, and in the ante-Neanderthalian mandible from Bafiolas. The parabola of the dental arch opens very wide posteriorly, though without attaining the hypsiloid shape noted in Hortus IV. It would seem that the Neanderthalian (and Neanderthaloid) alveolar and dental arches changed their shape over the period of growth from a semicircle or U (e.g. Archi, 5-6 yr) to a wide parabola (Le Fate II and Hortus II, 9-10 yr;Jebel Irhoud, 7 yr) and then gradually to a hypsiloid shape in adolescence (Hortus IV) and the adult,

Teeth Robustness. The horizontal dimensions of the Le Fate I I tooth crowns are shown in Table 3. Only the two diameters of M1 and the mesiodistal diameter of C were obtained directly. The other measurements were derived from radiograms in various projections, the known dimensions of M1 being checked at the same time. Variations in the robustness value or surface area of the crown (length x width) along the dental arch are illustrated in Figure 9. The diagram shows that the Le Fate I I pattern is much the same as in the various Hortus specimens. P~ is the most robust of the canine group (P2 in Hortus II). As in Hortus, therefore, the Le Fate II C pattern is not the same as in most Neanderthals, since the canine is relatively small and similar to that in modern man. In the molar group, M l < M2; this sequence is rare in modern man, but can be seen in Hortus V, Circeo I I I , Regourdou, La Quina H 9 and Krapina K.

Morphology. C has some incisor-like features and a hint of buccolingual flattening. The buccal surface of the crown in only slightly convex. The occlusal margin is incisive and curved in the form of an asymmetrical arch. The lingual surface is flattish, but depressed between two slight marginal ridges, one mesial, the other distal. There is a slight median crista in the centre of the depressed area. A buccal (more developed) and a lingual cusp were detected radiographically on PI and P~; P2 also displays the two distal accessory cusps noted in Hortus I I (on the right). The crown of Ml [Figure 7 (c)] is slightly flattened buccolingually. Two of its cusps are buccal (protoconid and hypoconid), one is buccodistal (hypoconulid) and two are lingual

701

NEANDERTHAL REMAINS FROM CAVERNA DELLE FATE Table 3

M e a s u r e m e n t s o f t h e teeth o f Le Fate II m a n d i b l e . M e a s u r e m e n t s a r e i n d i c a t e d i n m m . T h o s e in b r a c k e t s are m a d e o n X - r a y s

c P~ P2 M, M2

Mesio-distal length

Bucco-lingual breadth

Index of robustness

7.6

(7.3)

(55-5)

(7.8) (7.3) 11.3 (11.9)

(8.1) (8.1) 10.0 (9.7)

(63.2) (59.1) 113.0 (115.4)

(metaconid and entoconid). The protoconid and the hypoconulid are the most and the least developed respectively. There is linear contact between the hypoconid and the metaconid, and a deep anterior fovea. Radiography [Figure 7(a)] shows a large pulp cavity extending slightly beyond the neck, and a mesial and distal root, well separated from each other right from the start. The occlusal surface of M2 has a very complicated pattern, owing to the presence of several accessory tubercles and furrows, bearing in mind the complete absence of tooth wear. The pattern of the occlusal surface is the same as that of M~. Age at death. The dentition enables an age to be attributed to this specimen with a certain degree of accuracy [see radiographs in Figure 7(a), (b)]. The deciduous teeth are no longer present. However, the sockets ofm~ and m2 (probably lost after death) are still clearly visible where P1 and P2 would have appeared. Eruption of the crown of the permanent canine is well advanced, while the radiogram shows that its root is already calcified for half to two-thirds of its final length. MI is fully in place, though the apical closure of its root is not yet complete. The cusps, above all the buccal cusps, Figure 9. Comparative diagram of tooth robustness values (MD x BL) for Le Fate II, Le Fate Ill, other Neanderthals and modern man lower teeth.

150.

/. ......,-7 ........ :. ..........

Lower teeth

/,-"

/: /7

" . .... ",::;:::;:: "::1::::

:/ 71"

100.

::/'

"':::;

j/ ......................... 5: , ...: ~.~

.

.s.

":

I/I i

50

Hortus (fringe values) ............. Le Moustier .......

La Quina H5 _ _

9

Le Fate II

0

Le Fate III

.......

Regourdou

Modern man (average)

702

G. G I A G O B I N I E T A L .

Table 4

9Activity of radionuclides in Le Fate I + II + III d e t e r m i n e d by the non-destructive gamma-ray spectrometry (see text for details). T h e activities are in unit of disintegration per minute p e r gram (dpm/g) Nuclide

Activity (dpm/g)

2saU 234U 23~ ~6Ra 22~Rn 21opb 2SIPa 228Ra 2~8Th

2"70 + 3"21 • 1"74 + l'35 • 0"78 + 0"78 • 0.099 + 0"06 + 0"06 +

0'04 0"60 0"19 0"09 0"01 0"10 0"008 0"02 0'01

already show slight signs of wear. The entire occlusal surface of M,~ can be seen inside its eruption cavity. The radiogram shows the root to be in the initial stage of calcification. Distally to and touching the M2 eruption cavity, one can discern the beginning of the Ms formation cavity. The following tooth ages can thus be suggested: deciduous tooth sockets (9-10 yr), I2 socket (9-10 yr), C (81/2-10 yr), PI (71/2-91/2 yr), P2 ( 71/2-91/2 yr), M1 (9-10 yr), M2 (8-12 yr). Le Fate II may therefore be supposed to have belonged to a 9-10 yr-old child. The more advanced eruption of M2 and C compared with P1 and P9 does not conflict with this interpretation, since in Neanderthals P is often late compared with C and M2, resulting in an eruption sequence: MI-II-I2-C-Mg-P1-P2-Ms, as opposed to MI-Ij-Ig-PI-C-P2-M2-Ms in modern man (Patte, 1962).

6. Le Fate III (see Figure 10) This fi~agment of an adult right half-mandible consists ofthc top part of the distal segment of the body and the top of the ramus. The coronoid and condyloid processes are missing. Ms and a good part of the distal alveolus of M9 are present.

Morphometry Very few measurements were possible. The prominentia lateralis is incompletc. The thickness of the mandible at this level,, however, is at least 15 mm. This is very low for Neanderthals and recalls the 16 mm of the ante-Neanderthalian Bafiolas specimen (de Lumley, 1973). The minimum ramus breadth (about 35 ram) is at the bottom of the Neanderthal range.

Morphology (Figure

10)

Body (corpus mandibulae). The external thce displays the continuation of the anterior marginal ridge of the ramus, which is short and disappears into the prominentia lateralis. Above, there is a very evident sulcus extramolaris, topped by a lateral crista ectoalveolaris (corresponding to thickening of the alveolar margin). This is about 2 mm wide and very developed for a Neanderthal. Similar development can be seen in Hortus IV. There is a medial crista endoalveolaris at the alveolar margin of the internal face of the body. This crista is very developed a t M 3 and is similar to that in the ante-Neanderthalian

NEANDERTHAL

REMAINS FROM CAVERNA DELLE FATE

703

Figure 10. Le Fate III (adult right half-mandible fragment). (a) External, (b) ocelusal, (c) internal and (d) inferior views. Natural size.

704

o . 61ACOBINI E T A L .

Bafiolas specimen. It thus belongs to the striated type, with only slight bulging. The mylohyoid line is very developed, especially below and behind M3, where the molar eminence forms. The submaxillary fossa is much developed and deep. It runs backwards below and behind the molar eminence. Its posteroinferior portion is invaded by the insertion ridges of the medial pterygoid muscle (tuberositas pterygoidea), which thus appears to have been greatly developed. The upper margin of the body, behind M3, is typically Neanderthalian in shape, with a well developed retromolar triangle distinctly bounded by the internal secondary crista and the crista buccinatoria. These are most evident continuations of the cristae endo- and ectoalveolaris. The retromolar space is therefore evident.

Ramus. Along its upper fracture edge, the external face displays a thickening corresponding to part of the ectocondyloid crista, and continuing downwards with the vertical crista, which terminates with a well developed eminentia latcralis. The wide, deep superior insertion fossa of the masseter is visible. The anterior and, more particularly, the posterior border of the ramus are thickened. On the internal face, the ectocondyloid crista is low, whereas the endocoronoid is very distinct. The triangular torus is well developed, as is usually the case in Neanderthals. The planum triangulare is concave owing to the marked growth of the endocoronoid crista and the triangular torus. The anterior ramus border has a wide, deep retromolar groove, bounded by the anterior margin itself and the endocoronoid crista.

Description of the Tooth Robustness. The Le Fate III tooth is, as already stated, an M3 and very large even for a Neanderthal. The mesiodistal diameter of the crown is 12"7 mm and the buccolingual diameter 11"0 mm, giving an average tooth area of 139-7 mm 2, i.e. at the very top of the Neanderthal range (Figure 9).

Morphology [Figure 7(d)]. The occlusal surface is too worn tbr its exact shape to be determined. The drawing, however, seems to be comparable with those of the M 1 and M2 of Le Fate II. There is a very distinct anterior fovea. The mesial interproximal facet (i.e. the contact with M2) displays clear, thin subvertical channels. These have already been reported for other Mousterian-associated remains, such as Hortus (de Lumley, 1973), Qafzeh 3 (Vandermeersch, 1981) and Cattle (Borgognini Tarli, 1983). Their significance is unknown.

Age at Death and Sex The initial helicoidal wearing on M3 corresponds to an age of 40-50 yr in modern man. This tooth is one of the largest in the Neanderthal series. In addition, the imprints referable to the muscles of mastication are very marked. These t~atures suggest that the fragment comes from a male.

7. Absolute Dating The Caverna delle Fate remains were directly dated by non-destructive, high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry (Yokoyama & Nguyen, 1980 and 1981), using a high-purity germanium detector. The activities of 238U, 234U, 23~ 226Ra, 222Rn, 2a~ 231pa, 228Ra

NEANDERTHAL REMAINS FROM CAVERNA DELLE FATE

705

Figure 11. Low energy part of the gamma-ray spectrum of Lc Fate I + II + III. The sample (62-2 g) was measured for 45,790 min. The activities of 2~+U, :3~ and 2t0pb were determined from their direct gamma-ray emission. 238U was determined from its descendant 234Th. 23tPa was determined from ~:27Th, 22aRa and ~t'JRn. The gamma-rays due to ~6Ra, ~28Ra, ~2aTh, ~'2aRa and 219Rn had higher energies and are not visible in this figure.

e~

11700 r

.=

LE FATE I*lI+lll

7000

r

,a'~

3900

~.

80

40

120

Energy(keV)

and 928Th were determined from the gamma-ray spectra (Figure 11). The detector was calibrated with radioactive standard mouldings (plaster casts of the fossils with known activities of these radionuclides). The experimental details concerning these results will be reported elsewhere. A rapid preliminary measurement of each sample generated similar 226Ra/~auU ratios: 0-51 + 0.14, 0'52 +_ 0'12 and 0-60 + 0"12 for Le Fate I, II and I l l respectively, suggesting that their age was virtually the same. These three samples were then counted together for five weeks to obtain better statistical errors, because each sample alone was not sufficiently heavy. We obtained the following results: U = 3'68 +_ 0-06 p.p.m. (parts per million), 231pa/235U = 0"80 + 0"07, 2 3 4 U / 2 3 8 U = 1'19 + 0"22, 23~ = 0'54 • 0"12, and 23~ = 29 (Table 3). The ages calculated from the 23tpa/~35U and 23~ ratios are 75,000 +_~1~:o ~176176 and 82,000 +36,000 -~5,00o yr B.P. respectively.

8. D i s c u s s i o n The Le Fate h u m a n fossil remains could belong to either two or three individuals. Tile frontal bone (Le Fate I) and the half-mandible (Le Fate II) may well come from the same 8-10 yr-old child. The marked growth of the supraorbital torus suggests that Le Fate 1, at

706

o . GIACOBINI E T A L .

any rate, is from a male child. The other mandible fragment (Le Fate III) probably is from a 40-50 yr-old subject. Even though the size of the bone is not very great, the robustness of the only surviving tooth (M3) and the development of the muscle insertion ridges again point to a male. Examination of these remains brings about several Neanderthal features in keeping with the finding of a Mousterian industry in these layers, Le Fate I has the following typical Neandcrthal characteristics: very developed supraorbital torus, with depressed supraglabellar and supratoral furrows; pronounced postorbital narrowing; large interorbital breadth, both in absolute terms and in relation to the biorbital breadth; wide, almost straight temporal crest; oval-rectangular orbit, with medial displacement of the superior orbital point; smaller ti'ontal lobe than in a modern child, with protruding encephalic beak and doubled medial frontal gyrus (F2). Le Fate II is also Neanderthalian, though its features are sometimes less evident because of the subject's young age. The reconstructed mandible is wide and short, with a low, thick body; the symphyseal region is receding; the mental foramen is large and low-set; the inferior margin of the body is almost straight and its thickness increases regularly from back to front; the reliefs on the external face are evident, and those on the internal face even more so; the anterior marginal ridge of the ramus forms an angle with the torus lateralis superior; the planum alveolare is visible; the ramus is low and wide; and only slightly inclined with respect to the body; the reliefs are pronounced on both the outer and the inner face of the ramus; the endocoronoid crista protrudes and underlines a deep retromolar groove; the basilar arch is set back with respect to the alveolar and dental arches; the teeth are robust; the canine is incisor,like; eruption of the premolars is delayed; the morphology of the occlusal surface of M1 and M2 is complicated and archaic, in keeping with a dryopitecine pattern. Lastly, the adult fragment (Le Fate III) displays the following Neanderthal t~atures: long retromolar space, with well defined retromolar triangle; protruding endocoronoid crista underlining a wide, deep retromolar groove; distinct reliefs on the external and internal faces of the body and ramus (sulcus extramolaris, mylohyoid line, molar eminence, ectocondyloid crista, vertical crista, eminentia lateralis rami, anterior and posterior-borders of the ramus); M3 very robust, with a large anterior fovea. Some of the features of these remains are worthy of particular mention. In keeping with its absolute date, Le Fate I has the appearance of an archaic Neanderthal, since it is not very developed and has marked postorbital narrowing. Le Fate III, too, displays classic Neanderthalian characteristics with minor archaic fhatures (not very thick body, very developed molar eminence), and is in close agreement with its dating. The chitd's half-mandible (Le Fate II) is substantially Neanderthalian, but has several modern features: mental foramen rather high for a Neanderthal; relatively slight recession of the symphyseal profile; poorly developed superior and inferior transverse tori; digastric fossa running obliquely downwards and backwards; basilar arch projecting into the alveolar arch at the symphysis, and not backwards as in most Neanderthals; small canine and robust premolars; no frontal flattening of the dental arch. Some of these features may be attributable to youth, whereas others, such as the small permanent canine, are reminiscent of the late Hortus Neanderthals (de Lumley, 1973). The apparent conflict between these modern thatures of Le Fate !I and its dating may in actuality not exist. Stress must, in fact, be laid on the frequent analogies between Le Fate I,

NEANDERTHAL REMAINS FROM CAVERNA DELLE FATE

707

II a n d I I I a n d o t h e r r e m a i n s fi'om S. F r a n c e ( H o r t u s ) , S p a i n (Carig{iela, G i b r a l t a r ) a n d I t a l y (Archi, C i r c e o ) . T h i s m a y p o i n t to the e x i s t e n c e of a M e d i t e r r a n e a n N e a n d e r t h a l p o p u l a t i o n w i t h its o w n c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , as has b e e n s u g g e s t e d by o t h e r workers (Sergi, 1931; de L u m l e y , 1973; T i l l i e r , 1982).

T h e a u t h o r s w i s h to t h a n k D r L. M e r c a n d o o f the A n t i q u i t i e s P r o t e c t i o n D e p a r t m e n t o f P i e m o n t e (Italy) for h a v i n g a l l o w e d t h e m to s t u d y the tbssils. T h e y also t h a n k R. D a v i d for h a v i n g p r e p a r e d the r a d i o a c t i v e m o u l d i n g s of the s p e c i m e n s a n d Prof. H. d e L u m l e y for his valuable support. References

Amerano, G. B. (i889a). Scoperta d'una stazione paleolitica contemporanea al grande orso delle caverne. Bolletlino eli Paletnologia Italiana 15, 41 48. Amerano, G. B. (1889b). La Caverna delle Fate (Ligurie). Congris International d'Anthropologie et d'Archgologie Prghistorique (lOe session), Paris, 173 182. Ascenzi, A. & Segre, A. G. (1971). A new Neandertal child mandible ti'om an Upper Pleistocene site in Southern Italy. Nature 233, 280-283. Blanc, A. C. (1954). Reperti fossili neandertaliani nella Grotta del Fossellone al Monte Circeo: Circeo IV. Quaternaria l, 171-174. Borgognini Tarli, S. (i983). A Neandertal lower molar from Fondo Catti6 (Maglie, Lecce). Journal of Human Evolution 12, 383-401. de Lumley, H. (1969). Le Pal~,olithique inl~rieur et moyen du Midi M(:ditcrran6en dans son cadre g6oIogique. Gallia Prghisloire, suppl. 5. de Lumley, M.-A. (1973). Ant6n6andertaliens et Nfiandertaliens du bassin m(:diterran~en occidental europ6en. Etudes Quaternaires, mere. 3. Giacobini, G. & de Lumley, M.-A. (1983). Restes humains n6andertaliens de la Caverna delle Fate (Finale, Ligurie Italienne). L'Anthropologie, 87, 142-144. Giacobini, G. & de Lumley, M.-A. (1984). Les N~andertaliens de la Cavcrna delle Fate (Finale, Ligurie Italienne). Comptes Rendus de l'Academie des Sciences de Paris, S~rie D 296, 712-715. Gremiatski, M. A. (1949). Le crfine de l'enfant n6andertalien de la grotte de Tcshik-Tash, dans le sud de l'Ouzbekistan. In Teshik-Tash, l'homme palgolithique, pp. 1-137. Univ. of Moscow Ed. Hublin, J. J. & Tillier, A. M. (1981). The Mousterian j uvenile mandible fi'om I rhoud (Morocco): a phylogenetic interpretation. In (C. B. Stringer, Ed.) Aspects of Human Evolution, pp. 167 185. London: Taylor & Francis. Isetti, G. & de Lumlcy, H. (1962). Prima segnalazione di un giacimento musteriano nell'Arma delle Manic (Finale). Rivista Ingauna e lntemetia 16, 3 8. Legoux, P. (1966). Dgtermination de l'dge dentaire de jbssiles de la lignge humaine. Paris: Maloine. Patte, E. (1962). La dentition des Ngandertaliens. Paris: Masson. Schaafhausen, H. (1880). Ueber die in der Sipkah61e bei Stramberg in MShren gemachten Funde und insbesondere 0bcr das daselbst gefundenen Bruchst/ick eines menshlichen nnterkiefers. Sitzungberichte der Niederrheinischen Gesellschaftfir Natur-und Heilkunde, pp. 26C~279. Sergi, S. (1931). Le crfine n6andertalien de Saceopastore (Rome). L'Anthropologie 41,241-247. Smith, F. H. (1978). Evolutionary significance of the mandibular foramen area in Neandertals. AmericanJournal of Physical Anthropology 48, 523-532. Tillier, A.-M. (1982). Les enfants n6andertaliens de Devil's Tower (Gibrahar). Zeitscrift fiLr Morphologie und Anthropologie 73, 125-148. Tillier, A.-M. (1983). Le crfine d'enfant d'Engis 2: un exemple de distribution des caract~res iuveniles , primitifs et n~andertalierIs. Bulletin de la Soci~t~ Royale Belge d'A~thro/)ologie et de Pr~hist~ire 94, 51 75. Ullrich, H. (1955) Das Kinderskelett aus der Grotte Teshik-Tash. Zeitscriftf'~r Morphotogie undAnthropologie 4'7, 99-121. Vandermeersch, B. (1981). Les hommesfossiles de QaJzeh (Israel). Paris: C.N.R.S. Wolpoff, M. H., Smith, F. H., Malez, M., Radovcic, J. & Rukavina, D. (1981). Upper Pleistocene human remains from Vindija Cave, Croatia, Yugoslavia. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 54, 499-545. Yokoyama, Y. & Nguyen, H.-V. (1980). Direct and non-destructive dating of marine sediments, manganese nodules and corals by high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. In Lwtope Marine Chemistry, pp. 259-289. Tokyo: Uchida Rokakuho. Yokoyama, Y. & Nguyen, H.-V. (1981). Datation directe de l'Homme de Tautavel par la spectrom6trie gamma, non-destructive, du crfine humain fossile Arago XXI. Comptes Rendus de l'Academie des Sciences de Paris, Sgrie D 292, 741 744.