Navigation Links
40,000-year-old skull shows both modern human and Neandertal traits

Humans continued to evolve significantly long after they were established in Europe, and interbred with Neandertals as they settled across the continent, according to new research published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) USA.

Professor Joao Zilhao of the University of Bristol, Professor Erik Trinkaus of Washington University and colleagues in Europe compared the features of an early modern human cranium found in the Peºtera cu Oase (the Cave with Bones) in southwestern Romania with other human samples from the period (the Late Pleistocene). Differences between the skulls suggest complex population dynamics as modern humans dispersed into Europe.

The different fragments of the reconstructed cranium ?named Oase 2 ?were found in a Late Pleistocene bone bed principally containing the remains of cave bears. They were recovered during a systematic excavation project directed by Professor Trinkaus and Professor Zilhao between 2003 and 2005.

Radiocarbon dating of the specimen produced only a minimum age (more than 35,000 years), but similarity in morphological traits with the Oase 1 human mandible ?found in 2002 on the surface of the cave, adjacent to the excavation area, and dated to about 40,500 years ago ?lead the team to conclude that the two fossils were the same age. These are the earliest modern human remains so far found in Europe and represent our best evidence of what the modern humans who first dispersed into Europe looked like.

By comparing it with other skulls, Professor Zilhao and colleagues found that Oase 2 had the same proportions as modern human crania and shared a number of modern human and/or non-Neandertal features.

However, there were some important differences: apparently independent features that are, at best, unusual for a modern human. These included frontal flattening, a fairly large juxtamastoid eminence and exceptionally large upper molars with unusual size
'"/>

Source:University of Bristol


Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Alleged 40,000-year-old human footprints in Mexico much, much older than thought
2. Relationship of brain and skull more than just packaging
3. Hofmeyr skull supports the Out of Africa theory
4. Genome of deadly amoeba shows surprising complexity, evidence of lateral gene transfer
5. “Nano-scissors?laser shows precise surgical capability
6. Clam embryo study shows pollutant mixture adversely affects nerve cell development
7. New imaging method gives early indication if brain cancer therapy is effective, U-M study shows
8. Study shows nanoshells ideal as chemical nanosensors
9. Gene vaccine for Alzheimers disease shows promising results
10. Flocking together: Study shows how animal groups find their way
11. New drug shows promise as powerful anticancer agent

Post Your Comments:
(Date:11/20/2009)...e invited to contribute their abstracts to the Wor...), the largest global meeting devoted to all aspec... patient care. The Congress will be held in Floren... abstracts can be submitted online at http://www....s February 4, 2010. , IOF and ESCEO are pleased ...
(Date:11/20/2009)...ion in the origin of biological molecules like RNA...of years ago from simple precursors. Now, in a stu...aly have reconstructed one of the earliest evoluti...m individual subunits using nothing but warm water...f the first biological molecules present, before D...
(Date:11/20/2009)...ust: Toxins in coal-tar-based sealcoats in parking...t, according to a USGS study. PAHs or polycyclic...in oil, coal and tar deposits, and can have toxic ...found in house dust; however, the specific sources...rs found that dust from indoor areas near parking ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Special sessions announced for World Congress on Osteoporosis 2010 - IOF WCO - ECCEO10 2Special sessions announced for World Congress on Osteoporosis 2010 - IOF WCO - ECCEO10 3From toxic dust and algae to ill winds from Africa 2From toxic dust and algae to ill winds from Africa 3From toxic dust and algae to ill winds from Africa 4From toxic dust and algae to ill winds from Africa 5Bankruptcy Court Delaware Dismisses Involuntary Bankruptcy Case 57130 1Critical Illness Plans Help Pay for What Health Insurance Wont 57125 1Critical Illness Plans Help Pay for What Health Insurance Wont 57125 2Critical Illness Plans Help Pay for What Health Insurance Wont 57125 3Free Spanish Language Online Video Teaches Hands Only 28TM 29 CPR 57120 1Free Spanish Language Online Video Teaches Hands Only 28TM 29 CPR 57120 2
... is skilled at facial recognition and discriminati...l Center suggests that the brain may not have deve... but instead uses the same kind of pattern recogni...t uses to search for differences between other gro... , The study, published in the April 6 edition of ...
...pplement L-arginine following a heart attack does ...ents and may be associated with an increased risk ...sue of JAMA. , L-arginine is a widely available di...its for patients with hypertension, angina, heart ...round information in the article. Prior studies su...
...to adults some of the genes involved in controllin...o a study of more than 500 pairs of twins. , The s...ins showed that changes in gene expression between...he blood pressure variation that occurred by age 1... at the Medical College of Georgia. , The finding...
Other Biology News:Is the brain wired for faces? 2Is the brain wired for faces? 3Use of amino acid supplement following a heart attack provides no benefit, may be harmful 2Genes affecting blood pressure change as children become adults 2
(Date:11/20/2009)...eridiam (www.veridiam.com) won the prestigious Cry... 2009 Workplace Excellence Awards. The awards are ...rces Management and recognize innovative and excep...as one of nine winners, selected from more than 12...ent awards ceremony. San Diego-based Veridiam is a...
(Date:11/20/2009)...e-FirstCall/ -- Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX ) tod...blic offering of 6,800,000 shares of its common st...The approximately $21 million of net proceeds, aft...sions, will be used for preclinical studies and cl...research and development programs, working capital...
(Date:11/20/2009)...stCall/ -- Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) (Nasdaq a...it Court of Appeals reversed a U.S. District Court...sue all of its claims against The Lash Group, send... CTI filed a complaint against The Lash Group, CT...r CTI,s product TRISENOX, in 2007 seeking $22.8 mi...
(Date:11/20/2009)...ly announced that Dr. Dominique Hebrault will pres...lytical Technology (PAT) in Green Chemistry and Gr... (PRWEB) November 20, 2009 -- ...ogy (PAT) in Green Chemistry and Green Engineering...logy (PAT) case studies will be presented on how t...
Breaking Biology Technology:Veridiam Wins Workplace Excellence Crystal Award in Mid-Size Company Category 2Novavax Prices Public Offering of Common Stock 2Cell Therapeutics Wins Federal Appeal to Pursue $22.8 Million Claim Against The Lash Group 2Process Analytical Technology (PAT) in Green Chemistry and Green Engineering 2
...covered and characterized a promising chemically m...e effects of osteoporosis. In animal studies, 2MD ...levels unchanged even at doses 3,000 times the le...tamin Ds main job is to regulate calcium levels in...ns, stunted bone growth, and repair. Too much calc...
... stock of Bruker AXS will be converted into the ri...of Bruker Daltonics or, at the election of each Br... of equivalent value, payable 75% in Bruker Dalton...nding common stock of Bruker Daltonics are not bei... expected to be named Bruker BioSciences Corporati...
...e of devices that are one-billionth of a meter in ... science, and the term now describes many types of...less than 1,000 nanometers of the substances invol...ogy is a catalyst in the creation of exciting and ...r before thought possible. , ,This is revolutiona...
Other Biology Technology:Biotech Pioneer Discusses Breakthrough in Osteoporosis Treatment 2Bruker Daltonics and Bruker AXS Announce Merger Agreement 2Nanotechnology - Natures Lego Blocks! 2
Human Serum Type AB from Irvine Scientific
Mouse MMP-9, Unconjugated from R&D Systems
Rabbit Anti-JNK Pan Specific Polyclonal Antibody, Unconjugated from R&D Systems
Fluorescent Standards Blue Standard from Invitrogen
Biology Products: