title: Micro-biomechanics of the Kebara 2 hyoid and its implications for speech in Neanderthals.
abstract: The description of a Neanderthal hyoid from Kebara Cave (Israel) in 1989 fuelled scientific debate on the evolution of speech and complex language. Gross anatomy of the Kebara 2 hyoid differs little from that of modern humans. However, whether Homo neanderthalensis could use speech or complex language remains controversial. Similarity in overall shape does not necessarily demonstrate that the Kebara 2 hyoid was used in the same way as that of Homo sapiens. The mechanical performance of whole bones is partly controlled by internal trabecular geometries, regulated by bone-remodelling in response to the forces applied. Here we show that the Neanderthal and modern human hyoids also present very similar internal architectures and micro-biomechanical behaviours. Our study incorporates detailed analysis of histology, meticulous reconstruction of musculature, and computational biomechanical analysis with models incorporating internal micro-geometry. Because internal architecture reflects the loadings to which a bone is routinely subjected, our findings are consistent with a capacity for speech in the Neanderthals.
authors.affiliation: University Museum - State University "G. d'Annunzio", Piazza Trento e Trieste 1, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Ruggero
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: D'Anastasio
authors.affiliation: Computational Biomechanics Research Group, Zoology, School of Environmental and Rural Sciences, University of New England, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wroe
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Laboratory, The "Abdus Salam" International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Strada Costiera 11, Trieste, Italy ; Centre for Archaeological Science, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tuniz
authors.affiliation: Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.affiliation: University Museum - State University "G. d'Annunzio", Piazza Trento e Trieste 1, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Deneb T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Cesana
authors.affiliation: Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, Area Science Park, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dreossi
authors.affiliation: Division of Anatomy, University of Toronto, Department of Surgery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Mayoorendra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ravichandiran
authors.affiliation: Computational Biomechanics Research Group, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Attard
authors.affiliation: Computational Biomechanics Research Group, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: William C H
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Parr
authors.affiliation: Division of Anatomy, University of Toronto, Department of Surgery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agur
authors.affiliation: University Museum - State University "G. d'Annunzio", Piazza Trento e Trieste 1, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Capasso
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D006928:Hyoid Bone; D059125:Neanderthals