The bony labyrinth of Qafzeh 25 Homo sapiens from Israel

Abstract

The bony labyrinth has received growing attention in the field of human evolution as it is a useful phylogenetic indicator in hominins, and is particularly useful for distinguishing anatomically modern humans and Neanderthals. The partial adult skeleton of Qafzeh 25 dated to 92 ± 5 ka B.P. suffers from serious post-mortem taphonomic damage that has limited its anatomical description and metrical analysis. However, the two petrosal bones are preserved and the bony labyrinths are not affected by post-mortem deformations. In this study, the methodology developed by Spoor (1993) is used to analyze and compare the morphometric data from Qafzeh 25 semi-circular canals and cochlea to that of other fossils from the site and more generally to the published hominin sample (Middle and Late Pleistocene hominins).While this analysis reveals that the Qafzeh 25 bony labyrinth resembles that other Qafzeh individuals, it extends the range of variation within the sample for some variables.

Inner ear modifications in Dar-es-Soltane II H5 (Morocco): A case of labyrinthitis ossificans

“…These estimations, only based on partial cranial remains, should be considered with caution (Ferembach 1976). Recent studies on the cranium and inner ear morphology suggest close morphological affinity between Dar-es-Soltane II H5 and the Qafzeh individuals from the Levant (Harvati and Hublin 2012;Coutinho-Nogueira et al 2021).…”