A virtual assessment of the proposed suprainiac fossa on the early modern European calvaria from Cioclovina, Romania

Abstract

Objectives: The calvaria from Cioclovina (Romania) has been argued to possess some traits commonly ascribed to individuals belonging to the Neanderthal lineage, including a suprainiac fossa. However, its supranuchal morphology has only been evaluated with a qualitative analysis of the ectocranial surface. We evaluate whether the morphology of the supranuchal area of this specimen is homologous to the Neanderthal condition. Materials and Methods:We described in detail the external morphology, and, using computed tomography, investigated the internal morphology of the Cioclovina supranuchal area. We took measurements of the internal structures and calculated their relative contributions to total cranial vault thickness, which were compared to published data and evaluated with a principal component analysis (PCA). Results: The Cioclovina supranuchal region is characterized by superficial resorption present on the outer layer of the external table. Neither the diploic layer nor the external table decrease in relative thickness in the area above inion. In the PCA, Cioclovina falls within the convex hulls of recent modern Homo sapiens. Discussion: Our results show that the morphology of the Cioclovina supranuchal region does not correspond to the external and internal morphology of the typical Neanderthal suprainiac fossa. It cannot be characterized as a depression but rather as an area presenting superficial bone turnover. Together with earlier results, there is little phenotypic evidence that Cioclovina has high levels of Neanderthal ancestry. Our study demonstrates the usefulness of this quantitative method in assessing proposed Neanderthal-like suprainiac depressions in Upper Paleolithic and other fossil specimens. K E Y W O R D S autapomorphy, Cioclovina, computed tomography, suprainiac fossa, Upper Paleolithic

Neanderthal child's occipital from Baume Moula‐Guercy (Soyons, Ardèche, France)

“…Suprainiac fossae displaying the suite of features seen in M‐S‐41/M‐S‐61 are not typically found in modern humans (Arsuaga et al, 1997; Arsuaga et al, 2002; Balzeau & Rougier, 2010; Minugh‐Purvis et al, 2006). However, suprainiac fossae expressing a divergent morphology have been reported in numerous Middle‐to‐Upper Paleolithic and modern H. sapiens (Bosman & Harvati, 2019; Caspari, 1991; Frayer et al, 2006; Heim, 1982; Minugh‐Purvis et al, 2006). Because the Neanderthal suprainiac fossa is distinct, its presence has been used, together with other evidence, to suggest Neanderthal affinities for immature remains from La Cotte de Saint Brelade II (Angel & Coon, 1954) and Petit‐Puymoyen (=PPm7; Quam et al, 2011).…”