https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/14 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 23:57:57 GMT 2026-07-31T23:57:57Z https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/3601 Title: Age and sex-related differences in diet in hellenistic-early roman sicily: stable isotope evidence (δ13Ccollagen, δ13Ccarbonate, δ15N) from the settlement of Menainon Authors: Caruso, Antonio; Huesges, Sophia; Scott, Erin; Cocozza, Carlo; Ilgner, Jana; Nikita, Efthymia; Roberts, Patrick Abstract: During the Hellenistic-early Roman period (4th − 1st BCE), Sicily played a major role in shaping sociopolitical developments in the Mediterranean. However, despite its experience of major social, economic, and demographic change, including major events such as Greek colonization and Roman expansion, aspects of past life, including diet and nutrition, in Sicily during this period, remain largely unexplored. This paper employed samples from 50 adult individuals (25 females, 25 males) and applies bulk collagen, tooth enamel and dentine-incremental stable isotope analysis (δ13Ccollagen, δ13Ccarbonate, δ15N) as a proxy for dietary patterns in Hellenistic-early Roman Menainon (Sicily) to test the existence of age- or sex-based differences inferred from historical sources. The results from the bulk analysis show limited differences between individuals of different sex and adult age groups, whereas significant differences were found between early life (dentine) and adulthood (bone). Meanwhile, incremental dentine data showed variable patterns among all individuals, regardless of sex and age interval. Our results suggest dietary access was more equitable across age and sex than previously indicated from written sources, where biological sex did not play an important role in access to foodstuffs, but age affected to some degree dietary patterns. This provides a glimpse of everyday rural life at the edge of expanding colonies and empires. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/3601 2026-06-01T00:00:00Z https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/3600 Title: Rib Cross-Sectional Mineralized Area in Early Pleistocene Hominins: Insights From the Homo antecessor and H. erectus s. l. Fossil Record Authors: López-Rey, J.M.; García Martínez, Daniel; Gómez-Olivenza, A.; Cambra-Moo, O.; González-Martín, A.; Bastir, M.; Bermúdez de Castro, José María Abstract: Objectives Rib cross-sectional mineralized area provides valuable insights into mechanical loading and bone growth and remodeling. Given the scarcity of Early Pleistocene costal remains in the context of human evolution, we aimed to study the cross-sectional anatomy of fossil ribs from that period and compare them to a modern human ontogenetic series ranging from 8 to over 30 years of age. Materials and Methods We extracted the rib cross section at the midshaft of 6 fossil ribs attributed to several H. antecessor individuals and 10 fossil ribs of the H. erectus s. l. specimen KNM-WT 15000. Then we compared their relative mineralized area with that of the full, unilateral costal series of 27 H. sapiens individuals spanning different ontogenetic stages (pre-pubescent, post-pubescent, adult). Results Our findings indicate that rib cross-sectional mineralized area of H. antecessor is close to that of subadult H. sapiens, sharing a similar U-shaped trend along the costal series. Values are considerably lower compared to KNM-WT 15000, which shows a higher mineralized area at the middle thoracic rib levels rather than at the extremes. Discussion Despite possible taphonomic alteration of fossil ribs, these results suggest a different, possibly derived pattern of rib cross-sectional mineralized area in H. antecessor compared to more primitive Early Pleistocene hominins. However, considering the earlier ontogenetic stage of KNM-WT 15000, we cannot discard that ribs of H. antecessor belong to individuals exhibiting a postcranial growth pattern similar to that of H. erectus s. l., but at a more advanced phase in development. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/3600 2026-06-01T00:00:00Z https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/3608 Title: Quantitative Genetic Analysis of Baboon Facial Variation Challenges a Classic Papionin Trait Authors: Thiebaut, Arthur; Roseman, C. C.; Mahaney, M. C.; Hlusko, Leslea J. Abstract: The Linnaean family of monkeys that includes baboons, macaques, and mandrills (among others) is notably characterized by large, extended muzzles that vary in lateral nasal dorsum profile. In paleontological studies, this variation is referred to as the anteorbital drop (AOD). Here, we first devise a method to quantify this phylogenetic character. We then employ quantitative genetic analyses using a MCMCglmm model of facial variation in a captive, pedigreed baboon colony (n = 934), including admixed individuals derived from at least two Papio species, from the Southwest National Primate Research Center to assess the quantitative variation of the AOD, its genetic integration relative to other aspects of facial variation, and its relative evolvability. Specifically, we test two hypotheses to assess the appropriateness of the AOD as a way to characterize lateral nasal dorsum profile variation for paleontological studies. We find that the first hypothesis of limited variation within the population is rejected, as this admixed population demonstrates a remarkable degree of AOD variation spanning what is observed across papionin genera. The second hypothesis proposes that variation in the AOD is highly heritable and highly evolvable. Our results indicate that the AOD is highly heritable, but simultaneously less evolvable than other aspects of facial variation. Additionally, sex has little influence on AOD variation, in contrast to other facial measurements. These results challenge the use of AOD as a phylogenetic character, as it likely results from a broad range of non-sexually dimorphic processes that contribute to facial length. We caution against using AOD as a discrete character in phylogenetic analyses and invite further investigation of its biological significance. This study aims to illustrate how quantitative genetic approaches can probe the evolutionary relevance of traditional traits used in paleontology. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/3608 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/3595 Title: Cranial Morphology of a 21,000-Year-Old Homo sapiens From Southwest China Authors: Lin, Sungui; Zhao, Yuhao; Xing, Song Abstract: Objectives This study reports a new hominin cranium, dated to 21,000 years ago, offering novel insights into the evolutionary pattern of the cranial morphology of the East Asian Homo sapiens over the past 40,000 years. Materials and Methods The cranium (22IVPP-H-Cr01) was scanned and virtually reconstructed. Its morphology was described and compared primarily with other fossil H. sapiens. To better contextualize cranial variation, specimens of Homo heidelbergensis, East Asian late Middle Pleistocene archaic Homo, Homo neanderthalensis, and recent H. sapiens were also added to the comparative sample. Additionally, cranial measurements were conducted on the 22IVPP-H-Cr01 and compared with those of other taxonomic groups to assess its evolutionary status through principal component analysis. Results The 22IVPP-H-Cr01 cranium represents a female aged ~35–40 years. It exhibits typical H. sapiens morphology while retaining ancestral traits, including pronounced prognathism, a broad interorbital region, and wide nasal aperture. Overall, the cranial configuration of 22IVPP-H-Cr01 appears more derived than pre-LGM (Last Glacial Maximum) H. sapiens yet more primitive than post-LGM H. sapiens in East Asia. Discussion Compared to East Asian pre-LGM H. sapiens, post-LGM populations exhibit significant morphological variability. The 22IVPP-H-Cr01 specimen from Southwest China, dated to the LGM, may represent a candidate link between these two chronological groups. This finding supports population continuity at least in southern East Asia over the past 40,000 years, contrasting with the local population replacement documented in northern East Asia. Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://cir.cenieh.es/handle/20.500.12136/3595 2026-05-01T00:00:00Z