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- Title
The earliest Pleistocene record of a large-bodied hominin from the Levant supports two out-of-Africa dispersal events.
- Authors
Barash, Alon; Belmaker, Miriam; Bastir, Markus; Soudack, Michalle; O'Brien, Haley D.; Woodward, Holly; Prendergast, Amy; Barzilai, Omry; Been, Ella
- Abstract
The paucity of early Pleistocene hominin fossils in Eurasia hinders an in-depth discussion on their paleobiology and paleoecology. Here we report on the earliest large-bodied hominin remains from the Levantine corridor: a juvenile vertebra (UB 10749) from the early Pleistocene site of 'Ubeidiya, Israel, discovered during a reanalysis of the faunal remains. UB 10749 is a complete lower lumbar vertebral body, with morphological characteristics consistent with Homo sp. Our analysis indicates that UB-10749 was a 6- to 12-year-old child at death, displaying delayed ossification pattern compared with modern humans. Its predicted adult size is comparable to other early Pleistocene large-bodied hominins from Africa. Paleobiological differences between UB 10749 and other early Eurasian hominins supports at least two distinct out-of-Africa dispersal events. This observation corresponds with variants of lithic traditions (Oldowan; Acheulian) as well as various ecological niches across early Pleistocene sites in Eurasia.
- Subjects
EURASIA; MIDDLE East; ISRAEL; HOMINIDS; PLEISTOCENE Epoch; CHILD death; PALEOECOLOGY; ECOLOGICAL niche; CORRIDORS (Ecology); PALEOBIOLOGY; OSSIFICATION
- Publication
Scientific Reports, 2022, Vol 12, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
2045-2322
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/s41598-022-05712-y