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H2020Individual fellowship2022–2024

N-SPIRE · The Neanderthal nose: reconstruction of shape, function and adaptations

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2022-09-01 → 2024-08-31
EU contribution
€172,932
Participants
1
Scheme
MSCA-IF

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Results in brief

The Neanderthal nose: reconstruction of shape, function and adaptations

Neanderthals are among the most fascinating topics in paleoanthropology for their relationship with our species. In addition, their evolution and adaptation have become topics increasingly relevant as a case study of human response to climate: the current global climate change brings along a discussion on the biological response of populations to it and the possible cultural, demographic, and ecological consequences. In this concern, the species Homo neanderthalensis, which had to face the harsh, cold conditions of the Late Pleistocene in Eurasia, generated a longstanding debate among experts about their possible adaptation to cold climate. This focused in particular on the mid-facial prognathism, a configuration of the maxillae and the nasal region, characterised by a forward projection of the large nasal opening, which represents one of the most defining characteristics of the species. Some authors have linked such a peculiar morphology to a cold climate adaptation of the Neanderthal nose. Yet, the function of the upper respiratory tract in Neanderthals is an elusive topic: in the human fossil record, but also archaeological collections, the inner structures of the nasal cavity are often lost due to their fragility. The project N-SPIRE intends to investigate this aspect thanks to the only preserved nasal cavity in the human fossil record: that of the Neanderthal skeleton from Altamura (southern Italy). In this exceptionally preserved individual from ca. 150000 years ago that is still preserved in the cave where it was found in the early ‘90s, the inner structures of the nasal cavity are complete and observable. The main aim of N-SPIRE is to use such unique evidence to settle the longstanding debate on the relationship between the Neanderthal face and climate. In addition, N-SPIRE will contribute to raising awareness of this exceptional yet overlooked specimen from Italy and of the Italian fossil record related to the Neanderthal lineage. Lastly, the data produced during N-SPIRE can contribute to further exploring the biological response of human populations to the changing environment.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The project N-SPIRE addresses the topic of human adaptation to climate, through the study of the morphology and function of the nose in the extinct human species Homo neanderthalensis. The ever-increasing debate around the global climate change brings along a discussion on the biological response of human populations to it. The Neanderthals are a major case study: several authors have been proposing climate as the driver of the adaptations for the species, as well as a possible cause for its extinction. N-SPIRE will use a multidisciplinary approach to reconstruct the shape and function of the Neanderthal nose. The project will rely on the only preserved nasal cavity of the human fossil record, that of the Neanderthal known as “Altamura Man”, from Southern Italy. Its 3D model is one of the main subjects of the research, together with a large digital cranial sample including both fossil and modern humans. The inner structure of the nasal cavity of Altamura will allow investigating structures previously unknown in Neanderthals. It will be finalised and tested to provide a starting point for the reconstruction of soft tissues by biomedical engineering, that will be the subject of a secondment in the UK. Subsequently, it will be designed a protocol to model the airflow in the reconstructed fossil nasal cavity. The candidate will be trained in: i) digital techniques for the study of fossils; ii) use of technologies for digital acquisition of skeletal collections; iii) computational techniques for the nasal cavity reconstruction and the simulation of nasal airflow; iv) paleoclimate of the Mid-to-Late Pleistocene of Europe. N-SPIRE is aimed at the reconstruction of the evolutionary and functional aspects of the Neanderthal nose and to ultimately investigate the possible functional adaptations related to moisture, pressure, and temperature of the air. The comparison with modern humans will help to identify possible convergent adaptations between these and the Neanderthals.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • FUNDACIO PRIVADA INSTITUT CATALA DE PALEOECOLOGIA HUMANA I EVOLUCIO SOCIAL · TarragonaCoordinatorSpain

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union