An East-West Neanderthal gradient.

[Jacques Cinq-Mars]

All,

Here is the abstract of an article in which the author suggests that details of the  Neanderthal shoulder (clavicle/scapula) configuration is indicative of an East-West gradient or trend towards increasing [presumably "Classic"] Neanderthal morphology.

The actual paper (PDF) also contains a lengthy "Abridged English version".

Jacques Cinq-Mars

Voisin, Jean-Luc. 2004. Clavicule : approche architecturale de l'épaule et réflexions sur le statut systématique des néandertaliens. Comptes Rendus Palevol 3(2): 133-142.

Abstract:

Les clavicules des hommes modernes, des néandertaliens et des grands singes présentent des morphologies distinctes, caractérisant l'architecture de leur épaule. En particulier, la morphologie claviculaire des néandertaliens, en vue dorsale, montre que leur scapula était plus haute par rapport au thorax que chez l'homme moderne, ce qui expliquerait leur extrême longueur. Par ailleurs, il existe, pour ces caractères, un gradient est–ouest allant vers des formes de plus en plus « néandertaliennes ». Ainsi, plus les individus sont occidentaux, plus leurs caractères néandertaliens sont prononcés. Les néandertaliens pourraient alors être définis comme une espèce polytypique par spéciation géographique à chevauchement circulaire.

Mots-clé: Neandertal; Taforalt; Clavicule; Épaule; Spéciation; Adaptation; Forces de jet; Maroc

Abstract
Clavicle: shoulder architecture and thoughts about the systematic of Neanderthals.

The clavicle morphology in dorsal view, which is associated to shoulder architecture, is different in Neanderthals, great apes and modern humans. Its morphology shows that the Neanderthal scapula was in a higher position in regard to the thorax than in modern humans, which thus explains its extreme length. Moreover, among Neanderthals, there is an east–west gradient for several characters. In other words, the more the individuals come from the west part of Europe, the more their characters become Neanderthal. Thus Neanderthal man could be defined as a polytypic species with a geographic speciation by circular overlaps.

Keywords: Neanderthal; Taforalt; Clavicle; Shoulder; Speciation; Adaptation; Throw forces; Morocco

© 2004 Académie des sciences. Publié par Elsevier SAS. Tous droits réservés.

[Jacques Cinq-Mars]

All,

Just a point of information/clarification regarding Voisin's abstract.    The concept called "polytypic species with a geographic speciation by circular overlaps" at the end of the English abstract is similar to that of a "ring species".

This has been confirmed by the author of the paper.

At any rate, and for what it's worth, I do agree with him on the usefulness/applicability of this concept in the study of continental/sub-continental) and inter-continental, long term human dispersals.

Jacques Cinq-Mars

[anthrostudies]

This is interesting. But, I doubt the seperation in Western Europe would have been total. Saint-Cesaire I does look like a hybrid to me.

[Jacques Cinq-Mars]

This is interesting. But, I doubt the seperation in Western Europe would have been total. Saint-Cesaire I does look like a hybrid to me.

Sorry for this very belated post/question but what do you exactly mean by "separation"-- relative to what Voisin is talking about? Also, could you expand a bit on that part of your statement that pertains to your views re: the Saint-Césaire remains?

Jacques Cinq-Mars

[anthrostudies]

Sorry for this very belated post/question but what do you exactly mean by "separation"-- relative to what Voisin is talking about? Also, could you expand a bit on that part of your statement that pertains to your views re: the Saint-Césaire remains?

Jacques Cinq-Mars

I was talking about the ring species concept relating to Neanderthals and moderns (or subsaharans). In this concept as I understand it, there was intergrading in the east but not in the west, where there was replacement. (The east would include West Asia, eastern Europe and probably Central Asia). Any neanderthaloid contribution into Western European moderns, if it occurred, would then have arrived by the settlement of the region from further to the east, and not from a local source. However, Saint Cesaire 1 is obviously intermediate between classic neanderthals and Upper Paleolithic moderns in limb proportions, and in the more modern aspect of the face, most obviously being shown in Saint-Cesaire's browridge reduction nd reduced midfacial prognathism.

In the west neanderthal isolation couldn't have been total because of the presence of Aterian points in the Iberian peninsula. Wether this was by colonisation or by trade it implies evidence of outside, African contact at the western end of the neanderthal range as well as in the east

[lagarvelho]

anthrostudies:

Given what you've said about St. Cesaire, and the Aterian points in the Iberian Peninsula, I wonder if the "ring species" concept really applies.  Even in the gull species I know about where this is *supposed* to apply, I know it's a *lot* more complicated than that.  But perhaps that's a different story.
Anne G

[Daryl Habel]

In the west neanderthal isolation couldn't have been total because of the presence of Aterian points in the Iberian peninsula. Wether this was by colonisation or by trade it implies evidence of outside, African contact at the western end of the neanderthal range as well as in the east

Not necessarily.  That is an old Caton-Thompson argument from 1946.   Solutrean tanged points did not appear until about 20-22 ka (give or take a few), and their resemblace to Aterian points is superficial (several references in Garcea 2004:31).  Moreover, old 14C dates suggesting an Aterian chronology of ca 40-20 ka (overlapping the Solutrean) are now thought to be underestimates because of questionable reliabilty and uncertain context (Garcea 2004:32).  A quote:

"In North Africa, the original chronology of a 20,000-40,000-year-old Aterian should definitely be rejected in light of new radiocarbon determinations (both standard and AMS), as well as the other dating methods such as TL, OSL, U/Th, and ESR.  The age of 40,000 years should be considered as marking _the end_ , rather than the beginning, of the Aterian...."(Garcea 2004:43).

Reference:

Garcea, E.A.A. (2004). Crossing deserts and avoiding seas: Aterian North African-European relations. Journal of Anthropological Research 60: 27-53.

You've got 15-20,000 years difference to account for between final Aterian points and initial Solutrean tanged points.  I'd say convergence.

Dar

 

[anthrostudies]

anthrostudies:

Given what you've said about St. Cesaire, and the Aterian points in the Iberian Peninsula, I wonder if the "ring species" concept really applies.  Even in the gull species I know about where this is *supposed* to apply, I know it's a *lot* more complicated than that.  But perhaps that's a different story.
Anne G

I'ts very probable that if neanderthals and moderns could hybridise, then it happened all over their shared range. But, most of the evidence for this, like at Amud and Vindija, is so far concentrated on the east of the neanderthal range.

The evidence from Western European moderns doesn't give any clues about the location of hybridisation, because they migrated there through the areas where the evidence is concentrated. This is presuming that there is hybridisation.

[anthrostudies]

Not necessarily.  That is an old Caton-Thompson argument from 1946.   Solutrean tanged points did not appear until about 20-22 ka (give or take a few), and their resemblace to Aterian points is superficial (several references in Garcea 2004:31).  Moreover, old 14C dates suggesting an Aterian chronology of ca 40-20 ka (overlapping the Solutrean) are now thought to be underestimates because of questionable reliabilty and uncertain context (Garcea 2004:32).  A quote:

"In North Africa, the original chronology of a 20,000-40,000-year-old Aterian should definitely be rejected in light of new radiocarbon determinations (both standard and AMS), as well as the other dating methods such as TL, OSL, U/Th, and ESR.  The age of 40,000 years should be considered as marking _the end_ , rather than the beginning, of the Aterian...."(Garcea 2004:43).

Reference:

Garcea, E.A.A. (2004). Crossing deserts and avoiding seas: Aterian North African-European relations. Journal of Anthropological Research 60: 27-53.

You've got 15-20,000 years difference to account for between final Aterian points and initial Solutrean tanged points.  I'd say convergence.

Dar

 

Thank you for this, I didn't know much about it. I saw it in the Thinking Small : Global Perspectives On Microlithization, where one of the authors, Lawrence Guy Strauss, mentioned it.

"Proof of some movement of people (or of objects and ideas) is generally not attempted, as in this tautological world the very existence of similarities is evidence enough of some sort of connection (sometimes at least superficially plausible, as in the instance of the Aterian-Solutrean scenario, but often outlandish, as in the case of the recent revival of the Solutrean-Clovis hypothesis)." (page 70)

[Mikey Brass]

Reference:

Garcea, E.A.A. (2004). Crossing deserts and avoiding seas: Aterian North African-European relations. Journal of Anthropological Research 60: 27-53.
 

Two references to add:

Garcea, E. (ed.) 2001. Uan Tabu in the Settlement History of the Libyan Sahara. Arid Zone Archaeology Monographs 2. Firenze: All'insegna del giglio.

Haour, A. 2003. One Hundred Years of Archaeology in Niger. Journal of World Prehistory 17, 181-234.

Do you have a pdf of Garcea (2004) ?

[Daryl Habel]

Do you have a pdf of Garcea (2004) ?

Yes I do, but it is a home-made pdf I made from a fax copy I received after ordering it from Ingenta and it comes to 15.2 Mb, more than either of my e-mail accounts will presently let me send.  I thought you had a folder with jpeg pages I sent you a few months ago.  If not, since it's my pdf, perhaps I can figure out a way to cut into smaller pieces (I can send 10 Mb) if you'd really like to have it.  And I still have the individual jpegs which I can send 3 at a time (9 emails total).  What say?

Of course, I'll want an arm and a leg in return :D.

Dar

[Mikey Brass]

I thought you had a folder with jpeg pages I sent you a few months ago.

Ah right that file. My instant reflex is to grab anything African :-)

[Daryl Habel]

Thank you for this, I didn't know much about it. I saw it in the Thinking Small : Global Perspectives On Microlithization, where one of the authors, Lawrence Guy Strauss, mentioned it.

"Proof of some movement of people (or of objects and ideas) is generally not attempted, as in this tautological world the very existence of similarities is evidence enough of some sort of connection (sometimes at least superficially plausible, as in the instance of the Aterian-Solutrean scenario, but often outlandish, as in the case of the recent revival of the Solutrean-Clovis hypothesis)." (page 70)

You are welcome.  I imagine the Aterian-Solutrean scenario still has a few supporters, but Garcea (2004) is a very convincing refutation.

Dar

[lagarvelho]

Anthrostudies:

I like to think there was hybridization, but of course, we have no way of knowing for sure.  The only thing I know(from my reading of people far more "expert" than myself), is that such hybridization was certainly possible, and that there is some evidence that it *might* have occurred --- in some places.  Whether it did or not is another question.
Anne G

I'ts very probable that if neanderthals and moderns could hybridise, then it happened all over their shared range. But, most of the evidence for this, like at Amud and Vindija, is so far concentrated on the east of the neanderthal range.

The evidence from Western European moderns doesn't give any clues about the location of hybridisation, because they migrated there through the areas where the evidence is concentrated. This is presuming that there is hybridisation.