Alex Noble
Bradley Weiss
Brittany Wike

Anatomy differences between the two species

• Could a lower braincase with higher bone density of Homo neanderthalensis give them an advantage in protection from head trauma?

Image G shows Guattari, or a “classic”
Homo neanderthalensis skull. Image H shows Homo sapiens

Left: Thick walled bones are characteristic of Homo neanderthalensis ; indicating a higher bone density.
Right: Thin walled bones are characteristic of bone density.
Homo sapiens ; indicating less

• Were Homo neanderthalensis more traumatic environments?
exposed to

Percentage distributions of traumatic lesions by anatomical region for Neanderthals without DJD vs. Recent human clinical samples

Figure shows the combined cortical thickness of the humerus; anteroposterior and mediolateral views of Homo neanderthals , early Homo sapiens , and modern Homo sapiens.

• Homo neanderthalensis skull and mandible from the
Smithsonian

• In modern H. sapiens , the ascending mandibular ramus are in two processes, the coronoid and condylar process, and separated by a deep notch.
• In Neanderthals, the coronoid appears larger and more elevated than the condylar process, with a shallow notch in between.

• Traced the mandibular notch of each specimen.
• While using the
Condylar and Coronoid
Processes as fixed points.

• Outline of mandibular notch in the
Neanderthal, top arrow.
• Mean outline of 250 modern human specimens, bottom arrow.

• Mandibular ramus is a truly diagnostic character for
Neanderthals.
• Analysis shows Neanderthals face and braincase clearly indicate the species’ unique taxonomic status.

• Rak et al concluded that based on the mandibular ramus, Homo neanderthalensis forms a side branch that evolved differently from the modern human.
• Led to the conclusion that Neanderthals do not play a role in our biological ancestry.

• Neanderthals have a longer and wider sternum
• Longer and curved clavicles giving them a deeper and wider chest

• Weinstein: used results found by other researchers
• 2 Neanderthals, 2 early modern humans, and 4 human skeletons from the Andes.
• Comparing the thorax of human fossils to
Neanderthals
• Also to see if higher altitudes made a difference

Two main factors:
• Enhanced respiratory volume and aerobic capacities that function as adaptations to elevated activity levels
• Adaptations to cold climates

• Rib length and respiratory area are larger in the
Neanderthal sample than the human fossils found in the Andes
• Early human fossils had reduced rib measurements and a narrower thoracic cavity

R8TVC, R8TVS, LR8RAHUM

• The large thorax was an advantage to both factors
• Large thorax reduced surface area to body mass, which reduces body heat lost to the environment
• Large thorax also allowed for great lung capacity and ventilation which was needed for high physical activity and high metabolic rates

• Finding full or near full ribcages to do studies on
• Low sample sizes
• More data will allow for a better understanding

• Sorenson and Leonard
• Estimated their total energy expenditure by calculating their basal metabolic rates
• Neanderthals ranged from 3000-5500 kcal/day
• Modern human populations ranged from 2720
+/- 607 kcal/day
• Neanderthals had higher energy requirements daily

• Comparing the thickness of the braincase for both species. The head trauma that H. neanderthalensis’ displayed may increase the density of the skull.
• Comparing rib measurements: including lengths, cross sections, muscle rigidity, and degree of curvature

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