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3D virtual reconstruction of the Kebara 2 Neandertal thorax

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  • Asier Gómez-Olivencia

    (Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU)
    IKERBASQUE. Basque Foundation for Science
    Muséum National d’Histoire naturelle
    Centro Mixto UCM-ISCIII de Evolución y Comportamiento Humanos)

  • Alon Barash

    (Bar-Ilan University)

  • Daniel García-Martínez

    (Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC))

  • Mikel Arlegi

    (Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (UPV/EHU)
    Allée Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire)

  • Patricia Kramer

    (University of Washington)

  • Markus Bastir

    (Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC))

  • Ella Been

    (Ono Academic College
    Tel Aviv University)

Abstract

The size and shape of the Neandertal thorax has been debated since the first discovery of Neandertal ribs more than 150 years ago, with workers proposing different interpretations ranging from a Neandertal thoracic morphology that is indistinguishable from modern humans, to one that was significantly different from them. Here, we provide a virtual 3D reconstruction of the thorax of the adult male Kebara 2 Neandertal. Our analyses reveal that the Kebara 2 thorax is significantly different but not larger from that of modern humans, wider in its lower segment, which parallels his wide bi-iliac breadth, and with a more invaginated vertebral column. Kinematic analyses show that rib cages that are wider in their lower segment produce greater overall size increments (respiratory capacity) during inspiration. We hypothesize that Neandertals may have had a subtle, but somewhat different breathing mechanism compared to modern humans.

Suggested Citation

  • Asier Gómez-Olivencia & Alon Barash & Daniel García-Martínez & Mikel Arlegi & Patricia Kramer & Markus Bastir & Ella Been, 2018. "3D virtual reconstruction of the Kebara 2 Neandertal thorax," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-06803-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06803-z
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