Moscow University
Anthropology
Bulletin
Anthropology
Bulletin
Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Dm.Ulyanova str., 19, Moscow, 117036, Russia
Mednikova Maria B. PhD, D.Sci.; ORCID ID: 0000-0002-1918-2161; medma_pa@mail.ru.
Introduction. The paper comprises a comparative morphological study of the distal manual phalanges of the second to fifth rays of fossil inhabitants of the Altai Mountains. Based on previous study, this region is expected to be a contact zone between Denisovans and Neanderthals. The goal of the study. We tested a hypothesis about the presence in the Pleistocene Altai of hominids of differing origin and, in particular, the existence of distinctive morphological variants among Neanderthal settlers of Altai. Material and methods. Manual distal phalanges from excavations in caves Denisova, Chagyrskaya and Strashnaya were measured, X-ray filmed and scanned before sampling for ancient DNA extraction. Scanning was performed using an X-ray microscope, whose imaging resolution is sufficient to combine traditional radiological methods with non-destructive microscopy. Results. Our results show high morphological diversity among the Upper Pleistocene population. Three of four studied samples were identified as Neanderthals (Denisova 9, male (?), Chagyrskaya 08 and 56, females) by long, wide and flat diaphysis, and a wide and rounded apical tuft.The phalanx Strashnaya 4 features anatomically modern traits and does not correspond to Neanderthal specimens in proportions or dimensions. It is short with relatively narrow and tall diaphysis. Modern techniques of radiological investigation reveal two different morphological variants present in Altai Neanderthals from Denisova and Chagyrskaya. Phalanges show substantial changes in internal structure. In the distal half of Denisova 9, the space of the medullary canal was fully displaced by osteonised tissue, resembling a variant of the “ivory” epiphyses – in particular distributed among modern humans of African ancestry. Denisova 9 joins with the modern human Strashnaya 4 by high corticalisation at the midshaft (%CA 92,85 and 82,61correspodingly). Chagyrskaya 08 and 56 are thin-walled (%CA 58,77 and 30,88). Non-destructive radiological microscopy revealed further differences among the samples: greater and denser bone mass in the case of Strashnaya 4, low mineralised compact of all Neanderthals. Conclusion. The data may indicate the presence among Altai groups of Neanderthals who differed by origin, and/or chronologically. Patterns of Denisova 9 can be discussed in the context of his hybrid ancestry.
paleoanthropology; osteometry; Denisova, Chagyrskaya, Strashnaya caves; Neanderthals; anatomically modern humans; radiology; microscopy
DOI: 10.32521/2074-8132.2020.2.005-025
Цит.: Mednikova M.B. Distal manual phalanges of Upper Pleistocene Homo from Altai caves // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2020; 2/2020; с. 5-25
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