Robert:
Bear in mind that Mellars obviously doesn't think so, and hasn't thought so for a long, long time.
Anne G
Mellars argument for a pre-Pestera cu Oase anatomically modern human fossil in Europe hinges totally on the identification of the mandibular fragment from layer 11 at Bacho Kiro. Mellars (Nature, vol 432, 25 Nov 2004, p. 461) identifies this as "probably" AMH by citing Churchill & Smith (2000, Yearbook of Physical Anthropology 43, "Makers of the Early Aurignacian of Europe"). In reality, Churchill & Smith say (2000, p. 84): "....The single human specimen from Bacho Kiro layer 11 does not provide many useful features for taxonomical classification...", although C & S add that radiography revealed a non-taurodont root for the deciduous M1, "which might suggest modern human affinities".
"
might suggest" is hardly reason, for me anyway, to assume
"probably". While taurodont molars are characteristic of Neanderthal, I don't think it's true that all Neanderthal molars are taurodont. And while taurodontism is not characteristic of AMH, I'm fairly sure taurodontism is not totally absent in AMH. For more of my opinion of Bacho Kiro layer 11 see previous Palanth discussion
HERE. Of course, there are opposing opinions.
Dar
