title: A Neanderthal deciduous human molar with incipient carious infection from the Middle Palaeolithic De Nadale cave, Italy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study is the assessment of Nadale 1, a Neanderthal deciduous tooth recently discovered in Northeastern Italy in the De Nadale cave (Middle Palaeolithic). Together with the clear archaeological context of the site, this study brings new insight on Neanderthal behavior and dental morphological variability.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used microCT data to provide a morphological description and morphometric analysis (diameter measurements and dental tissue volumes) of the Nadale 1 human tooth. Microwear analysis, taphonomical investigation and caries identification were performed using a stereomicroscope and Scanning Electron Microscope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In terms of morphology (i.e., incipient tuberculum molare, marked mesial marginal ridge and well-developed mid-trigonid crest connecting the protoconid and the metaconid, deep anterior fovea) and size, Nadale 1 presents features frequently observed in Neanderthal lower first deciduous molars. Microscope investigations reveal the presence of a small pit which could be correlated to an incipient caries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nadale 1 expands the Italian Middle Palaeolithic fossil record and provides further information on Neanderthal dm1s in terms of dimensional and morphological variability. Furthermore, the presence of an incipient caries brings further data on Neanderthal diet.
authors.affiliation: Section of Prehistorical and Anthropological Sciences, Department of Humanities, University of Ferrara, LT, Teknehub, C.so Ercole I d'Este 32, Ferrara, 44121, Italy.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9826-9723
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arnaud
authors.affiliation: Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via degli Ariani 1, Ravenna, 48121, Italy.|Department of Human Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, Leipzig, 04103, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benazzi
authors.affiliation: Section of Prehistorical and Anthropological Sciences, Department of Humanities, University of Ferrara, LT, Teknehub, C.so Ercole I d'Este 32, Ferrara, 44121, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romandini
authors.affiliation: Section of Prehistorical and Anthropological Sciences, Department of Humanities, University of Ferrara, LT, Teknehub, C.so Ercole I d'Este 32, Ferrara, 44121, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Livraghi
authors.affiliation: CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa, 56124, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Panetta
authors.affiliation: CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via G. Moruzzi 1, Pisa, 56124, Italy.
authors.forename: Piero A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Salvadori
authors.affiliation: Teknehub - Department di Physic and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 1, Ferrara, 44121, Italy.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Volpe
authors.affiliation: Section of Prehistorical and Anthropological Sciences, Department of Humanities, University of Ferrara, LT, Teknehub, C.so Ercole I d'Este 32, Ferrara, 44121, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peresani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001106:Archaeology; D059552:Caves; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000473:pathology*; D005580:Fossils; D007558:Italy; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology*; D059125:Neanderthals; D010161:Paleodontology; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Italy; Middle Palaeolithic; Neanderthal; caries; deciduous dentition