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Middle paleolithic human deciduous incisor from Grotta del Cavallo, Italy
Author(s) -
Fabbri Pier Francesco,
Panetta Daniele,
Sarti Lucia,
Martini Fabio,
Salvadori Piero A.,
Caramella Davide,
Fedi Mariaelena,
Benazzi Stefano
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.23044
Subject(s) - radiocarbon dating , middle paleolithic , mousterian , deciduous , enamel paint , deciduous teeth , deciduous tooth , neanderthal , archaeology , geology , paleontology , geography , biology , art , botany , orthodontics , pleistocene , medicine , cave , visual arts
Objectives In this contribution, we present a morphological description and comparative morphometric analysis of Cavallo D, a human tooth unearthed from the Mousterian FIII sublayer of Grotta del Cavallo (Apulia, Italy). Materials and Methods We used microCT data to provide a detailed morphological description and morphometric analysis of the Cavallo D human tooth based on traditional diameter measurements and 3D enamel thickness. Moreover, new AMS radiocarbon dating of charcoals from layers FII was carried out. Results Morphological features observed in Cavallo D align the tooth to Neandertals. Similarly, the large size of the tooth (e.g., BL diameter) and the relatively thinner enamel thickness are typical Neandertal traits. 14 C datings of layer FII attribute the tooth to a time range of 45,600–42,900 cal BP (at 68% level of probability). Discussion Up to now, the Rdi 1 Cavallo D represents the most recent Neandertal human remain in southern Italy related to a radiocarbon dated stratigraphy. Moreover, since deciduous teeth have been less investigated than the permanent ones, this contribution brings new data to increase our knowledge on the variability of the Neandertal deciduous dentition