The human remains from Cova Negra (Valencia, Spain) and their place in European Pleistocene human evolution
1989; Elsevier BV; Volume: 18; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/0047-2484(89)90023-7
ISSN1095-8606
AutoresJuan Luís Arsuaga, Ana Gràcia, Ignacio Martı́nez, José Marı́a Bermúdez de Castro, Antonio Rosas, Valentín Villaverde Bonilla, Ma Pilar Fumanal,
Tópico(s)dental development and anomalies
ResumoThe phylogenetic and chronological positions of the Cova Negra human remains are discussed. These remains include an adult right parietal bone, a juvenile right mandibular body fragment with a deciduous second molar, and an isolated permanent upper central incisor. There are 40 levels in the Cova Negra sedimentary sequence, ranging from the Riss-Würm to the beginning of the Würm III. The Cova Negra A phase (Riss-Würm) is faunally and industrially sterile. Several variants of the Mousterian (Charentian type) are known from the beginning of the Würm (Cova Negra B phase) to the end of the sequence (Cova Negra E and F phases). All human remains are assigned to the Würm. On the basis of the parietal bone, uni- and bivariate analyses show that the Cova Negra biparietal vault was very broad. The cluster analysis groups Cova Negra with the biggest Neandertal neurocrania (specimens generally sexed as males). Also, this parietal bone exhibits a subcircular profile in posterior view, a trait considered as a Neandertal autapomorphy. The mandibular fragment shows three foramina mentalia and a steep linea mylohyoidea. These and other traits lead us to include this specimen in the Neandertal group. The crown dimensions and the morphology of the deciduous molar are consistent with this taxonomic attribution. The comparative study of the crown and root dimensions of the permanent incisor, as well as the presence of traits such as a strong tuberculum linguale, well developed marginal ridges (shovelling), and the marked lingual inclination of the buccal face, lead us to attribute this tooth to the Neandertal group.
Referência(s)