Non-masticatory uses of anterior teeth of Sima de los Huesos individuals (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain)

Abstract

Keywords:Cultural wear features Anterior dentition Para masticatory activities Middle PleistoceneIn this study we examine the labial and occlusal surfaces of incisors and canines of hominins recovered from the Sima de los Huesos (SH), middle Pleistocene site, in order to establish the possible extra masticatory use of anterior teeth. We have compared the microwear of these fossils with microwear from the anterior teeth of Australian Aborigines, a population characterized by ethnographic evidence of the use of their teeth as a third hand. These two samples of teeth were microscopically analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Our results support the "cultural" origin of microwear observed on fossil teeth: we conclude that the SH ho minins used their anterior teeth as a "third hand" for para-or extra-masticatory activities.

Earliest Directly-Dated Human Skull-Cups

“…Although non-masticatory scratches on front teeth are well documented [e.g. 52]–[56], descriptions of percussion modifications are rare in the literature [37], making it difficult to interpret their significance. Because of the taphonomic and sedimentological characteristics of the site [31], it is very unlikely that these modifications were naturally produced by sediment pressure or trampling.…”

Morphological description and comparison of the dental remains from Atapuerca-Sima de los Huesos site (Spain)

“…Publications on hominin dental samples from Sima de los Huesos (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain) during the last two decades have been abundant and diverse, addressing a varied range of topics such as systematics and phylogeny (e.g., Bermudez de Castro, 1986, 1988Bermudez de Castro et al, 2003a, 2004aMartinon-To rres, 2006;Martinon-Torres et al, 2006, 2007aGomez-Robles et al, 2007, sexual dimorphism (e.g., Bermudez de Castro et al, 1993, 2001Rosas et al, 2002), paleoecology (e.g., Bermudez de Castro et al, 1988, 2003bPerez Perez et al, 2003;Lozano-Ruiz et al, 2004;Lozano et al, 2008), paleodiet (Perez-Perez et al, 1999), paleodemography (Bermudez de Castro and Nicolas, 1997;Bermudez de Castro et al, 2004b,c), pathology (Bermudez de Castro and Diez, 1995;Bermudez de Castro and Perez, 1995;Cunha et al, 2004), and development (Bermudez de Castro and Nicolas, 1995;Bermudez de Castro and Rosas, 2001;Bermudez de Castro et al, 2003c). However, since the last detailed morphological study was carried out (Bermudez de Castro, 1993), the number of dental specimens that have been discovered has increased from 133 to 525, mandating new assess ments of these samples and promoting tests of new hypotheses regarding human evolution.…”

Extending mind, visuospatial integration, and the evolution of the parietal lobes in the human genus

“…Interestingly, in this case we have a peculiar clue: dental anthropology. On the front teeth of Neandertals and their ancestors (H. heidelbergensis) we can observe surface marks left by a nonalimentary use of the mouth (Bermudez de Castro et al, 1988;Lozano et al, 2008). These taxa generally used their mouth as a "third hand", supporting praxis and handling.…”