The Homo neanderthalensis Diet and Lifestyle’s Effect on Dental Anatomy in Comparison with Homo sapiens.
Faculty Mentor
Judd A. Case
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
5-8-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
5-8-2024 10:45 AM
Location
PUB NCR
Primary Discipline of Presentation
Biology
Abstract
The anterior teeth of Homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthals) have been thoroughly studied and said to be larger than those of Homo sapiens (Modern Humans), with some researchers suggesting that they were utilized in food preparation. Neanderthals have also been found to have heavily worn anterior teeth and a thin enamel layer. This study investigated possible size differences between Neanderthals and Modern Humans in their posterior teeth as well as anterior teeth, to get a more complete picture of how the lifestyle of the Neanderthal time would have affected overall dental anatomy. Buccal-lingual and mesial-distal distances of posterior teeth, and mesial-distal distances of anterior teeth of two Neanderthal specimens (one adult and one child) and six Modern Human specimens were measured. After performing a series of one group t-tests comparing the averages of the Modern Human specimens' measurements against the measurements for each of the Neanderthal specimens, it was determined that the Neanderthal child had statistically significantly larger anterior teeth compared to Modern Humans while the adult Neanderthal had statistically significantly larger posterior teeth compared to Modern Humans. The Neanderthal specimens also both exhibited a uniform pattern of extreme wear. Neanderthal’s thin enamel could likely be responsible for these extreme wear patterns, and in combination with the less advanced tools of the time may have forced mature Neanderthals to utilize larger posterior teeth to accommodate a more “less mechanically processed food” diet, consisting of meat from large mammals as well as plants and fungi.
Recommended Citation
Laycock, Raegan E., "The Homo neanderthalensis Diet and Lifestyle’s Effect on Dental Anatomy in Comparison with Homo sapiens." (2024). 2024 Symposium. 9.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2024/ps_2024/p1_2024/9
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
The Homo neanderthalensis Diet and Lifestyle’s Effect on Dental Anatomy in Comparison with Homo sapiens.
PUB NCR
The anterior teeth of Homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthals) have been thoroughly studied and said to be larger than those of Homo sapiens (Modern Humans), with some researchers suggesting that they were utilized in food preparation. Neanderthals have also been found to have heavily worn anterior teeth and a thin enamel layer. This study investigated possible size differences between Neanderthals and Modern Humans in their posterior teeth as well as anterior teeth, to get a more complete picture of how the lifestyle of the Neanderthal time would have affected overall dental anatomy. Buccal-lingual and mesial-distal distances of posterior teeth, and mesial-distal distances of anterior teeth of two Neanderthal specimens (one adult and one child) and six Modern Human specimens were measured. After performing a series of one group t-tests comparing the averages of the Modern Human specimens' measurements against the measurements for each of the Neanderthal specimens, it was determined that the Neanderthal child had statistically significantly larger anterior teeth compared to Modern Humans while the adult Neanderthal had statistically significantly larger posterior teeth compared to Modern Humans. The Neanderthal specimens also both exhibited a uniform pattern of extreme wear. Neanderthal’s thin enamel could likely be responsible for these extreme wear patterns, and in combination with the less advanced tools of the time may have forced mature Neanderthals to utilize larger posterior teeth to accommodate a more “less mechanically processed food” diet, consisting of meat from large mammals as well as plants and fungi.
