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- Incised stone artefacts from the levantine middle palaeolithic and human behavioural complexityPublication . Goder-Goldberger, Mae; Marreiros, Joao; Paixão, Eduardo; Hovers, ErellaIn recent years, archaeological research has demonstrated the presence of abstract non-utilitarian behaviour amongst palaeolithic hominins, fuelling discussions concerning the origin and implications of such complex behaviours. A key component in these discussions is the aesthetic and symbolic character of intentionally incised artefacts. In this study, we emphasize the geometry of the incisions as clues to intentionality. Using 3D surface analysis, we characterised incisions found on a Levallois core from Manot cave, and on a flake and retouched blade from Amud cave. In addition, we applied the same methodology to the previously published engraved Levallois core from Qafzeh and the plaquette from Quneitra. The incisions on the Manot, Qafzeh and Quneitra artefacts show similar geometric characteristics. Notably in each of these cases, the incisions form patterns that align with the artefact's surface topography and shape. In contrast, the incisions on the Amud artefacts are shallower, with no clear orientation or patterning. The methodology applied thus creates a comparative context for MP incised items, reinforcing the interpretation of the Manot, Qafzeh and Quneitra artefacts as deliberate engravings, whereas the marks on the items from Amud are consistent with their functional use as abraders. While the Qafzeh, Quneitra and Manot items are isolated initiatives in their chronological and geographic contexts, the shared traits of the intentional engravings underscore their predetermined nature.
- Rapid growth in a Neandertal infant from Amud Cave in IsraelPublication . Been, Ella; Hovers, Erella; Rak, Yoel; Cabec, Adeline Le; Dean, Christopher; Barash, AlonNeandertal infants are rarely found, with only a few individuals documented in the literature. Therefore, their growth and development remain poorly understood. Amud 7 is the articulated skeleton of an infant Neandertal discovered in Amud Cave, northern Israel.1,2 The cave was excavated in the 1960s1 and the 1990s2–11 and has yielded several human remains with distinct Neandertal affinities,1,9–14 as well as Middle Paleolithic stone tool assemblages,15–21 dated to approximately 51–56 thousand years old.22,23 Nearly 111 skeletal pieces of Amud 7 were found in situ, of which only the cranial bones were thoroughly described.24–27 It is the most complete Neandertal infant assigned to the 6- to 14-month age range. As such, it plays a significant role in our understanding of Neandertal paleobiology. The skeleton exhibits distinct Neandertal affinities in both cranial and postcranial remains, and its morphological features shed light on Neandertal phylogeny, growth, and development. Most notably, the infant exhibits signs of unusually rapid somatic growth, suggesting that Neandertals had a distinct developmental strategy in early life. Other rare Neandertal infants show the same pattern of accelerated early somatic and endocranial growth, suggesting a consistent difference in how our evolutionary relatives developed. Simultaneously supporting faster somatic growth and brain development would have resulted in high energetic demands. These findings emphasize the diversity of developmental strategies among hominin species and demonstrate that Neandertals might have followed a different developmental path, distinguishing them from H. sapiens.