Fossil hominin radii from the Sima de los Huesos Middle Pleistocene site (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain)

Rodríguez, Laura; Carretero, José Miguel; García‐González, Rebeca; Lorenzo, Carlos; Gómez‐Olivencia, Asier; Quam, Rolf; Martı́nez, Ignacio; Gracia-Téllez, Ana; Arsuaga, Juan Luís

doi:10.1016/j.jhevol.2015.09.010

Cited by 12 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Radial neck angle. Radial neck angle was measured as a proxy for diaphyseal curvature following Rodríguez et al (2016) and Trinkaus (1983). In order to calculate radial neck angle, three axes were determined according to the procedure outlined by Rodríguez et al (2016) following Martin and Saller (1957;measurement no.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Radial neck angle was measured as a proxy for diaphyseal curvature following Rodríguez et al (2016) and Trinkaus (1983). In order to calculate radial neck angle, three axes were determined according to the procedure outlined by Rodríguez et al (2016) following Martin and Saller (1957;measurement no. 7): the long axis of the neck (a), the long axis of the proximal portion of the diaphysis (b), and the horizontal intersection between the latter two axes where the proximal diaphysis meets the radial neck (c; Fig.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The upper limb of Homo naledi

Feuerriegel

Green

Walker

et al. 2017

Journal of Human Evolution

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The evolutionary transition from an ape-like to human-like upper extremity occurred in the context of a behavioral shift from an upper limb predominantly involved in locomotion to one adapted for manipulation. Selection for overarm throwing and endurance running is thought to have further shaped modern human shoulder girdle morphology and its position about the thorax. Homo naledi (Dinaledi Chamber, Rising Star Cave, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa) combines an australopith-like cranial capacity with dental characteristics akin to early Homo. Although the hand, foot, and lower limb display many derived morphologies, the upper limb retains many primitive traits. Here, we describe the H. naledi upper extremity (excluding the hand) in detail and in a comparative context to evaluate the diversity of clavicular, scapular, humeral, radial, and ulnar morphology among early hominins and later Homo. Homo naledi had a scapula with a markedly cranially-oriented glenoid, a humerus with extremely low torsion, and an australopith-like clavicle. These traits indicate that the H. naledi scapula was situated superiorly and laterally on the thorax. This shoulder girdle configuration is more similar to that of Australopithecus and distinct from that of modern humans, whose scapulae are positioned low and dorsally about the thorax. Although early Homo erectus maintains many primitive clavicular and humeral features, its derived scapular morphology suggests a loss of climbing adaptations. In contrast, the H. naledi upper limb is markedly primitive, retaining morphology conducive to climbing while lacking many of the derived features related to effective throwing or running purported to characterize other members of early Homo.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The upper limb of Homo naledi

Feuerriegel

Green

Walker

et al. 2017

Journal of Human Evolution

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“…At present, this is best documented in adult (Rodriguez et al. ; Rodríguez et al. ) and sub‐adult (García‐González et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Another important question is to determine the origin of these heavier bones and skeletons in the archaic humans. A generally elevated level of skeletal 'robusticity' (bone strength relative to body size) has been extensively documented among Pleistocene non-H. sapiens (archaic) humans (Trinkaus & Ruff, 2012), and previous studies have shown that the SH hominins also fit this pattern (Arsuaga et al 2015;Rodriguez et al 2016;Rodr ıguez et al 2018). The higher RBV (Table 1), higher relative bone weight (Table 3) and higher relative skeletal weight (Table 5) found here are also consistent with these findings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…The possible presence of thickened cortical bone (and more bone volume) throughout all bones of the skeleton and in all SH individuals would be another argument to support a systemic origin for this feature. At present, this is best documented in adult (Rodriguez et al 2016;Rodr ıguez et al 2018) and sub-adult (Garc ıa-Gonz alez et al 2016) long bones and the cranial vault (Arsuaga et al 1997). The significance of cranial vault thickness in archaic humans has been debated (Gauld, 1996;Lieberman, 1996).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring bone volume and skeletal weight in the Middle Pleistocene humans from the Sima de los Huesos site (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain)

et al. 2018

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Body mass estimation in fossil human species is a crucial topic in paleoanthropology as it yields information about ecologically relevant characteristics. Nevertheless, variables crucial to body mass estimation such as bone volume and skeletal weight have never before been calculated in a fossil human species. The exceptional state of preservation of several fossil human long bones from the Sima de los Huesos (SH) Middle Pleistocene site, in the Sierra de Atapuerca, makes it possible to calculate for the first time the absolute bone volume in five complete long bones (two femora and three humeri) of a fossil human species, an approach not possible in fragmentary or poorly preserved fossils. We have relied on computed tomography scans and 3D reconstructions to calculate bone volume. A sample of 62 complete bones of robust recent humans was also used for comparative purposes. The male SH femora (weight‐bearing bones) and humeri (non‐weight‐bearing bones) have, relative to their size, greater bone volume (volume of bone tissue over total bone volume) than the equivalent bones in our recent human sample. As mass is volume × density, and bone tissue density (as a material) is similar across mammals, we calculate bone mass, and our results show that the SH hominins had on average heavier long bones than extant humans of the same size. From the femoral weight at hand, we have estimated the total skeletal weight in two SH individuals, which is about 36% heavier than in the recent humans of the equivalent body size. Using different methods and skeletal variables, including skeletal weight, to estimate body mass in these two SH humans, we highlight the considerable differences in body mass estimates we obtained, and that the largest body mass estimate is the one based on the skeletal weight. Our results suggest that we cannot assume the same relative proportion of bone volume and bone and skeletal weight characterized the entire genus Homo. Given that skeletal weight has a significant influence on body mass, current body mass estimates of fossil Homo specimens could be systematically underestimated. Thus, the significantly larger bone volume and heavier bones, probably throughout the entire skeleton, of SH humans could have had consequences for many biological parameters in this Pleistocene population and considerable importance for studies focusing on adaptive and ecologically relevant characteristics. Although more recent human samples should be analyzed, in our view, the high skeletal robusticity of the SH sample, including larger bone volume and skeletal weight, is part of their adaptive body type selected for throughout the Pleistocene to support different mechanical and activity regimes and formed under tight genetic control, including control over bone formative and regulatory processes.

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Uncovering the adult morphology of the forearm bones from the Sima de los Huesos Site in Atapuerca (Spain), with comments on biomechanical features

Rodríguez

García‐González

Arsuaga

et al. 2023

The Anatomical Record

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The forearm skeleton is composed of two bones: the radius and the ulna. This is closely related to manipulative movements. The ulna is part of the elbow joint, whereas the radius and ulna together with the scaphoid and lunate bones, form the wrist joints. Thus, morphofunctional analysis of the adult Sima de los Huesos (SH) forearm bones, provides clues about manipulative activities in one Pleistocene population. From 1976 to the present, over 7000 human fossils have been recovered from the SH site. The radial sample comprised 98 labeled fragments, of which 49 belonged to adult individuals, representing at least 7 individuals. The ulnar sample included 31 labeled adult fossils representing at least nine individuals. In this study, we describe the SH radii and ulnae and analyze their functional implications for manipulative and forearm movements. We confirmed that the SH radii are long and curved, with variations in robusticity and radial tuberosity orientation. The SH ulnae are characterized by an anteriorly oriented trochlear notch, a massive olecranon process, an obliquely oriented radial notch, a blunt and short supinator crest, a gracile and curved diaphysis, and a round and anteriorly oriented pronator crests. In general, they exhibit Neanderthal morphology. The SH collection provides a unique opportunity to conduct morphological analyses of these bones in the Middle Pleistocene population.

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Fossil hominin radii from the Sima de los Huesos Middle Pleistocene site (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain)

Cited by 12 publications

References 44 publications

The upper limb of Homo naledi

The upper limb of Homo naledi

Exploring bone volume and skeletal weight in the Middle Pleistocene humans from the Sima de los Huesos site (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain)

Uncovering the adult morphology of the forearm bones from the Sima de los Huesos Site in Atapuerca (Spain), with comments on biomechanical features

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