Mandibular morphology and the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition in Westernmost Iberia.

ABSTRACT: Neolithic farming and animal husbandry were first developed in the Near East ~ 10,000 BCE and expanded westwards, reaching westernmost Iberia no later than 5500 BCE. It resulted in major social, cultural, economic and dietary changes. Yet, the impact of this change on human mandibular morphology in Iberia is yet to be assessed, which is regrettable because mandible form is impacted by population history and diet. In this study we used Mesolithic to Chalcolithic Iberian samples to examine the impact of this transition on mandibular morphology. We also compared these samples with a Southern Levantine Chalcolithic population to assess their relationship. Lastly, we assessed dental wear to determine if the morphological differences identified were related to the material properties of the diet

SUBMITTER: Godinho RM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10547775 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature