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The earliest toothless hominin skull

Author

Listed:
  • David Lordkipanidze

    (Georgian State Museum)

  • Abesalom Vekua

    (Georgian State Museum
    Institute of Palaeobiology)

  • Reid Ferring

    (University of North Texas)

  • G. Philip Rightmire

    (Binghamton University)

  • Jordi Agusti

    (Institut de Paleontologia M. Crussafont)

  • Gocha Kiladze

    (Georgian State Museum)

  • Alexander Mouskhelishvili

    (Georgian State Museum)

  • Medea Nioradze

    (Georgian Archaeological Centre)

  • Marcia S. Ponce de León

    (Anthropologisches Institut, Universität Zürich)

  • Martha Tappen

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Christoph P. E. Zollikofer

    (Anthropologisches Institut, Universität Zürich)

Abstract

The site of Dmanisi in the Eurasian republic of Georgia has yielded striking hominin, faunal and archaeological material as evidence for the presence of early Homo outside Africa 1.77 million years ago, documenting an important episode in human evolution. Here we describe a beautifully preserved skull and jawbone from a Dmanisi hominin of this period who had lost all but one tooth several years before death. This specimen not only represents the earliest case of severe masticatory impairment in the hominin fossil record to be discovered so far, but also raises questions about alternative subsistence strategies in early Homo.

Suggested Citation

  • David Lordkipanidze & Abesalom Vekua & Reid Ferring & G. Philip Rightmire & Jordi Agusti & Gocha Kiladze & Alexander Mouskhelishvili & Medea Nioradze & Marcia S. Ponce de León & Martha Tappen & Christ, 2005. "The earliest toothless hominin skull," Nature, Nature, vol. 434(7034), pages 717-718, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:434:y:2005:i:7034:d:10.1038_434717b
    DOI: 10.1038/434717b
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    Cited by:

    1. Luis A Martinez-Vaquero & José A Cuesta & Angel Sánchez, 2012. "Generosity Pays in the Presence of Direct Reciprocity: A Comprehensive Study of 2×2 Repeated Games," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(4), pages 1-12, April.

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