Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 88. (Budapest 1996)

Pap, I., Tillier, A.-M. , Arensburg, B. ; Chech, M.: The Subalyuk Neanderthal remains (Hungary): a re-examination

The Subalyuk teeth are well preserved except for the left first premolar (lost postmortem), the right second premolar and three molars. The occlusal dental attrition is not well pronounced: the dentine is slightly exposed on the anterior teeth and the first molar. In addition the interproximal wear is not considerable. This supports a relatively young adult age, probably inferior to BARTUCZ'S previous estimation. The tooth morphology previously described by BARTUCZ and SZABÓ manifests no peculiarities. Morphologically the Subalyuk permanent teeth are not different from other Mousterian teeth. The Subalyuk 1 anterior teeth (Table 2) with the Krapina and Vindija teeth manifest large dimensions (i.e. vestibulo-lingual breadth). All the Subalyuk teeth are not exceptionally large among the Central European sample (Table 2): their dimensions are below the mean Krapina averages, with the exception of the 12, C, and PI breadths. The Subalyuk teeth recall the Vindija teeth. However the relatively small dimensions of the Subalyuk premolars and molars (Ml and M2) could be also partially due to the faint interproximal wear, too. The Subalyuk mandible manifests alveolar bone resorption, all along the dental arch (versus SZABÓ 1935). No significant dental pathologies are evident and no dental caries present. On the Subalyuk molars, a deposit of supragingival dental calculus was well developed on the buccal surface, especially on the first left molar. A scanning electron microscope analysis of the dental calculus was performed at the Weizmann Institute in Israel (PAP et al. 1995). The result shows that the calcified bacteria are mainly of the filamentous type (Fig. 5). This contrasts with the previous observation made on a Levantine Mousterian hominid (VANDERMEERSCH et al. 1994) that indicated a prevalence of the cocci bacteria. More information on other Middle Palaeolithic individuals is requested to permit us to interpret this individual variation affecting prehistoric dental health, in terms of either local nutrition factors or immunological differences in response to the same stimuli. The X-ray examination of the Subalyuk molars suggested that there was a moderate taurodontism on the first molar and larger pulp chambers on the two other posterior teeth. Although the roots are robust, there is no hypercementosis. X-ray examination of the Subalyuk mandible brought evidence of the lack of a fourth molar (versus ANTHONY & HERPIN 1935). In conclusion the Subalyuk adult mandible manifested a mixture of plesiomorphic features (e. g. lack of a chin eminence, retreating symphysis) and features usually employed to assert Neanderthal affinities as they seem to be constant in the group (i. e. large retromolar space and backwards positioning of the mental foramen below Ml). This mosaic of features is shared by the other Middle Palaeolithic mandibles from Central Europe (i. e. Ochoz, Krapina and Vindija). Within this Central European sample, the Subalyuk specimen is unique for two modern features: the presence of an incurvatio mandibulae anterior and the lack of the horizontal-oval shape of the mandibular foramen. In our opinion it is not possible to discuss accurately the sex diagnosis of the individual from the mandibular morphology, although the mandible is less robust than in other specimens. When comparison is made with the Neanderthals from Western Europe, the Subalyuk mandible is closer to the early specimens such as Regourdou (PlVETEAU 1965,