1
|
Wang Y, Zhang X, Sun X, Yi S, Min K, Liu D, Yan W, Cai H, Wang X, Curnoe D, Lu H. A new chronological framework for Chuandong Cave and its implications for the appearance of modern humans in southern China. J Hum Evol 2023; 178:103344. [PMID: 36947893 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2023.103344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Chuandong Cave is an important Late Paleolithic site because it documents the early appearance of bone tools in southern China. We used the single-aliquot regenerative-dose protocol for optically stimulated luminescence dating to improve the precision of the chronology for the Chuandong Cave sedimentary sequence. The age of each layer was determined using a Bayesian modeling approach which combined optically stimulated luminescence ages with published AMS 14C dates. The results showed that Layer 10 began accumulating since 56 ± 14 ka and provides the upper age limit for all artifacts from the sequence. Bone awl tools from Layer 8, the earliest grinding bone tools in this site, were recovered within sediments between 40 ± 7 ka and 30 ± 4 ka. Layer 8 also indicates the appearance of modern humans in the Chuandong Cave sequence. Layers 4-2, ranging from 15 ± 3 ka until 11 ± 1 ka and including the Younger Dryas period, contain a few bone awls and an eyed bone needle. The shift from bone awls to eyed bone needles in the Chuandong Cave sequence indicates that modern humans adapted to the changing climate of southern China. We conclude that modern human behavior in bone tools appeared in southern China as early as 40 ± 7 ka, became more sophisticated during the Last Glacial Maximum, and spread more widely across southern China during the Younger Dryas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Wang
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xinglong Zhang
- Guizhou Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Guiyang 550003, China
| | - Xuefeng Sun
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Shuangwen Yi
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Kai Min
- Guizhou Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Guiyang 550003, China
| | - Dengke Liu
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wenxuan Yan
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Huiyang Cai
- Guizhou Provincial Museum, Guiyang 550081, China
| | - Xinjin Wang
- Guizhou Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Guiyang 550003, China
| | - Darren Curnoe
- Australia Museum Research Institute, 1 William Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Huayu Lu
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Curnoe D, Datan I, Goh HM, Sauffi MSB, Ruff CB. Corrigendum to “Femur associated with the Deep Skull from the West Mouth of the Niah Caves (Sarawak, Malaysia)” [Journal of Human Evolution 127 (2019) 133–148]. J Hum Evol 2022; 166:103176. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2022.103176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
3
|
Curnoe D, Datan I, Goh HM, Bin Sauffi MS, Ruff CB. Further analyses of the Deep Skull femur from Niah Caves, Malaysia. J Hum Evol 2021; 161:103089. [PMID: 34837741 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2021.103089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Darren Curnoe
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales 2021, Australia
| | - Ipoi Datan
- Sarawak Museum Department, Jalan Barak, Kuching, Sarawak, 93000, Malaysia
| | - Hsiao Mei Goh
- School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Centre for Global Archaeological Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, 11800, Malaysia
| | | | - Christopher B Ruff
- Center for Functional Anatomy and Evolution, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 E. Monument St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wang T, Wang W, Xie G, Li Z, Fan X, Yang Q, Wu X, Cao P, Liu Y, Yang R, Liu F, Dai Q, Feng X, Wu X, Qin L, Li F, Ping W, Zhang L, Zhang M, Liu Y, Chen X, Zhang D, Zhou Z, Wu Y, Shafiey H, Gao X, Curnoe D, Mao X, Bennett EA, Ji X, Yang MA, Fu Q. Human population history at the crossroads of East and Southeast Asia since 11,000 years ago. Cell 2021; 184:3829-3841.e21. [PMID: 34171307 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Past human genetic diversity and migration between southern China and Southeast Asia have not been well characterized, in part due to poor preservation of ancient DNA in hot and humid regions. We sequenced 31 ancient genomes from southern China (Guangxi and Fujian), including two ∼12,000- to 10,000-year-old individuals representing the oldest humans sequenced from southern China. We discovered a deeply diverged East Asian ancestry in the Guangxi region that persisted until at least 6,000 years ago. We found that ∼9,000- to 6,000-year-old Guangxi populations were a mixture of local ancestry, southern ancestry previously sampled in Fujian, and deep Asian ancestry related to Southeast Asian Hòabìnhian hunter-gatherers, showing broad admixture in the region predating the appearance of farming. Historical Guangxi populations dating to ∼1,500 to 500 years ago are closely related to Tai-Kadai and Hmong-Mien speakers. Our results show heavy interactions among three distinct ancestries at the crossroads of East and Southeast Asia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China; Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China; Shanghai Qi Zhi Institute, Shanghai 200232, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Institute of Cultural Heritage, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Guangmao Xie
- Guangxi Institute of Cultural Relic Protection and Archaeology, Nanning 530022, China; College of History, Culture and Tourism, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541001, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Guangxi Institute of Cultural Relic Protection and Archaeology, Nanning 530022, China
| | - Xuechun Fan
- International Research Center for Austronesian Archaeology, Pingtan 350000, China; Fujian Museum, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Qingping Yang
- Guangxi Institute of Cultural Relic Protection and Archaeology, Nanning 530022, China
| | - Xichao Wu
- Fujian Longyan Museum, Longyan 364000, China
| | - Peng Cao
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Yichen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China; Shanghai Qi Zhi Institute, Shanghai 200232, China
| | - Ruowei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Qingyan Dai
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Xiaotian Feng
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Xiaohong Wu
- School of Archaeology and Museology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ling Qin
- School of Archaeology and Museology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Fajun Li
- Department of Anthropology, School of Sociology and Anthropology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Wanjing Ping
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Lizhao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Yalin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaoshan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Western China's Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Dongju Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Western China's Environmental Systems (Ministry of Education), College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhenyu Zhou
- Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing 100710, China
| | - Yun Wu
- Yunnan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Kunming 650118, China; Archaeological Institute for Yangtze Civilization, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Hassan Shafiey
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Xing Gao
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Darren Curnoe
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Xiaowei Mao
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China; Shanghai Qi Zhi Institute, Shanghai 200232, China
| | - E Andrew Bennett
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Xueping Ji
- Yunnan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Kunming 650118, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Earth System Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China.
| | - Melinda A Yang
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China; Department of Biology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173, USA.
| | - Qiaomei Fu
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, China; Shanghai Qi Zhi Institute, Shanghai 200232, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wasinger VC, Curnoe D, Boel C, Machin N, Goh HM. The Molecular Floodgates of Stress-Induced Senescence Reveal Translation, Signalling and Protein Activity Central to the Post-Mortem Proteome. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176422. [PMID: 32899302 PMCID: PMC7504133 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The transitioning of cells during the systemic demise of an organism is poorly understood. Here, we present evidence that organismal death is accompanied by a common and sequential molecular flood of stress-induced events that propagate the senescence phenotype, and this phenotype is preserved in the proteome after death. We demonstrate activation of “death” pathways involvement in diseases of ageing, with biochemical mechanisms mapping onto neurological damage, embryonic development, the inflammatory response, cardiac disease and ultimately cancer with increased significance. There is sufficient bioavailability of the building blocks required to support the continued translation, energy, and functional catalytic activity of proteins. Significant abundance changes occur in 1258 proteins across 1 to 720 h post-mortem of the 12-week-old mouse mandible. Protein abundance increases concord with enzyme activity, while mitochondrial dysfunction is evident with metabolic reprogramming. This study reveals differences in protein abundances which are akin to states of stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS). The control of these pathways is significant for a large number of biological scenarios. Understanding how these pathways function during the process of cellular death holds promise in generating novel solutions capable of overcoming disease complications, maintaining organ transplant viability and could influence the findings of proteomics through “deep-time” of individuals with no historically recorded cause of death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerie C. Wasinger
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
- Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia; (C.B.); (N.M.); (H.M.G.)
- Correspondence: (V.C.W.); (D.C.)
| | - Darren Curnoe
- Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia; (C.B.); (N.M.); (H.M.G.)
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
- Correspondence: (V.C.W.); (D.C.)
| | - Ceridwen Boel
- Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia; (C.B.); (N.M.); (H.M.G.)
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Naomi Machin
- Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia; (C.B.); (N.M.); (H.M.G.)
| | - Hsiao Mei Goh
- Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia; (C.B.); (N.M.); (H.M.G.)
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
- Centre for Global Archaeological Research, University Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Boel C, Curnoe D, Hamada Y. Craniofacial Shape and Nonmetric Trait Variation in Hybrids of the Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata) and the Taiwanese Macaque (Macaca cyclopis). INT J PRIMATOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-019-00081-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
7
|
Curnoe D, Datan I, Goh HM, Sauffi MS. Femur associated with the Deep Skull from the West Mouth of the Niah Caves (Sarawak, Malaysia). J Hum Evol 2019; 127:133-148. [PMID: 30777354 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2018.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The skeletal remains of Pleistocene anatomically modern humans are rare in island Southeast Asia. Moreover, continuing doubts over the dating of most of these finds has left the arrival time for the region's earliest inhabitants an open question. The unique biogeography of island Southeast Asia also raises questions about the physical and cultural adaptations of early anatomically modern humans, especially within the setting of rainforest inhabitation. Within this context the Deep Skull from the West Mouth of the Niah Caves continues to figure prominently owing to its relative completeness and the greater certainty surrounding its geological age. Recovered along with this partial cranium in 1958 were several postcranial bones including a partial femur which until now has received little attention. Here we provide a description and undertake a comparison of the Deep Skull femur finding it to be very small in all of its cross-sectional dimensions. We note a number of size and shape similarities to the femora of Indigenous Southeast Asians, especially Aeta people from the Philippines. We estimate its stature to have been roughly 145-146 cm and body mass around 35 kg, confirming similarities to Aeta females. Its extreme gracility indicated by low values for a range of biomechanical parameters taken midshaft meets expectations for a very small (female) Paleolithic East Asian. Interestingly, the second moment of area about the mediolateral axis is enlarged relative to the second moment of area about the anteroposterior axis, which could potentially signal a difference in activity levels or lifestyle compared with other Paleolithic femora. However, it might also be the result of sexual dimorphism in these parameters as well as possibly reflecting changes associated with aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darren Curnoe
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Ipoi Datan
- Sarawak Museum Department, Jalan Barak, Kuching, Sarawak, 93000, Malaysia
| | - Hsiao Mei Goh
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; Centre for Global Archaeological Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, 11800, Malaysia
| | - Mohammed S Sauffi
- Sarawak Museum Department, Jalan Barak, Kuching, Sarawak, 93000, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wasinger VC, Curnoe D, Bustamante S, Mendoza R, Shoocongdej R, Adler L, Baker A, Chintakanon K, Boel C, Tacon PS. Analysis of the Preserved Amino Acid Bias in Peptide Profiles of Iron Age Teeth from a Tropical Environment Enable Sexing of Individuals Using Amelogenin MRM. Proteomics 2019; 19:e1800341. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201800341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Valerie C. Wasinger
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre University of New South Wales Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
- Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre University of New South Wales Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Darren Curnoe
- Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre University of New South Wales Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage University of New South Wales Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Sonia Bustamante
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre University of New South Wales Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Raynold Mendoza
- Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre University of New South Wales Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage University of New South Wales Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Rasmi Shoocongdej
- Department of Archaeology Silpakorn University Bangkok 10200 Thailand
- Interaction between Prehistoric Population and Environments in Highland Pang Mapha Project Bangkok 10170 Thailand
| | - Lewis Adler
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Facility Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre University of New South Wales Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Andy Baker
- Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre University of New South Wales Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Kanoknart Chintakanon
- Interaction between Prehistoric Population and Environments in Highland Pang Mapha Project Bangkok 10170 Thailand
- Advanced Dental Technology Center Thailand Science Park Amphoe Khlong Luang, Chang Wat Pathum Thani 12120 Thailand
| | - Ceridwen Boel
- Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre University of New South Wales Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage University of New South Wales Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Paul S.C. Tacon
- PERAHU Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research & School of Humanities Languages and Social Science Griffith University Gold Coast campus QLD 4222 Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wright JL, Wasef S, Heupink TH, Westaway MC, Rasmussen S, Pardoe C, Fourmile GG, Young M, Johnson T, Slade J, Kennedy R, Winch P, Pappin M, Wales T, Bates W“B, Hamilton S, Whyman N, van Holst Pellekaan S, McAllister PJ, Taçon PS, Curnoe D, Li R, Millar C, Subramanian S, Willerslev E, Malaspinas AS, Sikora M, Lambert DM. Ancient nuclear genomes enable repatriation of Indigenous human remains. Sci Adv 2018; 4:eaau5064. [PMID: 30585290 PMCID: PMC6300400 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aau5064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
After European colonization, the ancestral remains of Indigenous people were often collected for scientific research or display in museum collections. For many decades, Indigenous people, including Native Americans and Aboriginal Australians, have fought for their return. However, many of these remains have no recorded provenance, making their repatriation very difficult or impossible. To determine whether DNA-based methods could resolve this important problem, we sequenced 10 nuclear genomes and 27 mitogenomes from ancient pre-European Aboriginal Australians (up to 1540 years before the present) of known provenance and compared them to 100 high-coverage contemporary Aboriginal Australian genomes, also of known provenance. We report substantial ancient population structure showing strong genetic affinities between ancient and contemporary Aboriginal Australian individuals from the same geographic location. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of successfully identifying the origins of unprovenanced ancestral remains using genomic methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanne L. Wright
- Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Sally Wasef
- Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Tim H. Heupink
- Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
- Global Health Institute, Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Michael C. Westaway
- Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Simon Rasmussen
- DTU Bioinformatics, Department of Bio and Health Informatics, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Colin Pardoe
- Department of Archaeology and Natural History, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | | | - Michael Young
- Barkandji/Paakantyi Elder, Red Cliffs, VIC, Australia
| | - Trish Johnson
- Barkandji/Paakantyi Elder, Pooncarie, NSW, Australia
| | - Joan Slade
- Ngiyampaa Elder, Ivanhoe, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Patsy Winch
- Mutthi Mutthi Elder, Balranald, NSW, Australia
| | - Mary Pappin
- Mutthi Mutthi Elder, Broken Hill, NSW, Australia
| | - Tapij Wales
- Thanynakwith Elder, Napranum, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Sheila van Holst Pellekaan
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Paul S.C. Taçon
- Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Darren Curnoe
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage and Paleontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ruiqiang Li
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Craig Millar
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sankar Subramanian
- Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
- GeneCology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
| | - Eske Willerslev
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - Anna-Sapfo Malaspinas
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Martin Sikora
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Corresponding author. (M.S.); (D.M.L.)
| | - David M. Lambert
- Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
- Corresponding author. (M.S.); (D.M.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Curnoe D, Datan I, Zhao JX, Leh Moi Ung C, Aubert M, Sauffi MS, Mei GH, Mendoza R, Taçon PSC. Rare Late Pleistocene-early Holocene human mandibles from the Niah Caves (Sarawak, Borneo). PLoS One 2018; 13:e0196633. [PMID: 29874227 PMCID: PMC5991356 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The skeletal remains of Late Pleistocene-early Holocene humans are exceptionally rare in island Southeast Asia. As a result, the identity and physical adaptations of the early inhabitants of the region are poorly known. One archaeological locality that has historically been important for understanding the peopling of island Southeast Asia is the Niah Caves in the northeast of Borneo. Here we present the results of direct Uranium-series dating and the first published descriptions of three partial human mandibles from the West Mouth of the Niah Caves recovered during excavations by the Harrissons in 1957. One of them (mandible E/B1 100") is somewhat younger than the ‘Deep Skull’ with a best dating estimate of c30-28 ka (at 2σ), while the other two mandibles (D/N5 42–48" and E/W 33 24–36") are dated to a minimum of c11.0–10.5 ka (at 2σ) and c10.0–9.0 ka (at 2σ). Jaw E/B1 100" is unusually small and robust compared with other Late Pleistocene mandibles suggesting that it may have been ontogenetically altered through masticatory strain under a model of phenotypic plasticity. Possible dietary causes could include the consumption of tough or dried meats or palm plants, behaviours which have been documented previously in the archaeological record of the Niah Caves. Our work suggests a long history back to before the LGM of economic strategies involving the exploitation of raw plant foods or perhaps dried and stored meat resources. This offers new insights into the economic strategies of Late Pleistocene-early Holocene hunter-gatherers living in, or adjacent to, tropical rainforests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darren Curnoe
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Ipoi Datan
- Sarawak Museum Department, Jalan Barak, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Jian-xin Zhao
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Maxime Aubert
- Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research, Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Goh Hsiao Mei
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Global Archaeological Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Raynold Mendoza
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paul S. C. Taçon
- PERAHU, Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research, School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast campus, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Goff J, Golitko M, Cochrane E, Curnoe D, Williams S, Terrell J. Reassessing the environmental context of the Aitape Skull - The oldest tsunami victim in the world? PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185248. [PMID: 29069104 PMCID: PMC5656299 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing recognition of the long-lasting effects of tsunamis on human populations. This is particularly notable along tectonically active coastlines with repeated inundations occurring over thousands of years. Given the often high death tolls reported from historical events though it is remarkable that so few human skeletal remains have been found in the numerous palaeotsunami deposits studied to date. The 1929 discovery of the Aitape Skull in northern Papua New Guinea and its inferred late Pleistocene age played an important role in discussions about the origins of humans in Australasia for over 25 years until it was more reliably radiocarbon dated to around 6000 years old. However, no similar attention has been given to reassessing the deposit in which it was found-a coastal mangrove swamp inundated by water from a shallow sea. With the benefit of knowledge gained from studies of the 1998 tsunami in the same area, we conclude that the skull was laid down in a tsunami deposit and as such may represent the oldest known tsunami victim in the world. These findings raise the question of whether other coastal archaeological sites with human skeletal remains would benefit from a re-assessment of their geological context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James Goff
- PANGEA Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- CNRS, Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement, Université de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Mark Golitko
- Department of Anthropology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Ethan Cochrane
- Anthropology, School of Social Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Darren Curnoe
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage and PANGEA Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shaun Williams
- National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - John Terrell
- Integrative Research Center, Social Science, The Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Curnoe D, Datan I, Taçon PSC, Leh Moi Ung C, Sauffi MS. Deep Skull from Niah Cave and the Pleistocene Peopling of Southeast Asia. Front Ecol Evol 2016. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2016.00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
|
13
|
Curnoe D, Ji X, Liu W, Bao Z, Taçon PSC, Ren L. A Hominin Femur with Archaic Affinities from the Late Pleistocene of Southwest China. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143332. [PMID: 26678851 PMCID: PMC4683062 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of Late Pleistocene hominin species and the timing of their extinction are issues receiving renewed attention following genomic evidence for interbreeding between the ancestors of some living humans and archaic taxa. Yet, major gaps in the fossil record and uncertainties surrounding the age of key fossils have meant that these questions remain poorly understood. Here we describe and compare a highly unusual femur from Late Pleistocene sediments at Maludong (Yunnan), Southwest China, recovered along with cranial remains that exhibit a mixture of anatomically modern human and archaic traits. Our studies show that the Maludong femur has affinities to archaic hominins, especially Lower Pleistocene femora. However, the scarcity of later Middle and Late Pleistocene archaic remains in East Asia makes an assessment of systematically relevant character states difficult, warranting caution in assigning the specimen to a species at this time. The Maludong fossil probably samples an archaic population that survived until around 14,000 years ago in the biogeographically complex region of Southwest China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darren Curnoe
- Palaeontology, Geobiology and Earth Archives Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- * E-mail: (DC); (XJ)
| | - Xueping Ji
- Yunnan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- * E-mail: (DC); (XJ)
| | - Wu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhende Bao
- Mengzi Institute of Cultural Relics, Mengzi, Yunnan, China
| | - Paul S. C. Taçon
- Place, Evolution and Rock Art Heritage Unit, School of Humanities, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Liang Ren
- Mengzi Institute of Cultural Relics, Mengzi, Yunnan, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
Abstract We assessed the human impact on regions identified as the environmental central niche for the chacma baboon(Papio ursinus) across southern Africa. This central niche is the area within an animal’s natural range that is most insulated from changes to the environmental variables that influence that animal’s distribution. We used an environmental envelope model constructed with geographic information system software to predict the geographic extent of the central niche. The predicted chacma baboon central niche was 389 000 km2, with substantial overlap with human settlements in several countries. Of note is that although Botswana contains nearly 60 000 km2 of predicted central niche, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature chacma baboon distribution map implies that much of this area is uninhabited by baboons. A regional assessment of the province of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) suggests more than 95% of its central niche is uninhabited. Additionally, the very limited and likely disturbed central niche area in Lesotho coupled with the unknown status of chacma baboons within Lesotho warrants further attention. Overall, it appears likely that significant proportions of the predicted central niche in southern Africa are currently uninhabited by the chacma baboon. These uninhabited areas correspond with areas of high human population density and anthropogenic land alteration. The remaining central niche areas that are still inhabited are potentially key areas for conservation and are important for ensuring the sustainability of future populations. However, these areas may be undergoing degradation whilst also becoming more inaccessible to baboons, thus increasing the difficulty of conservation efforts. This preliminary assessment highlights the urgent need for detailed assessments at a finer scale.
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
We have previously described hominin remains with numerous archaic traits from two localities (Maludong and Longlin Cave) in Southwest China dating to the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. If correct, this finding has important implications for understanding the late phases of human evolution. Alternative interpretations have suggested these fossils instead fit within the normal range of variation for early modern humans in East Asia. Here we test this proposition, consider the role of size-shape scaling, and more broadly assess the affinities of the Longlin 1 (LL1) cranium by comparing it to modern human and archaic hominin crania. The shape of LL1 is found to be highly unusual, but on balance shows strongest affinities to early modern humans, lacking obvious similarities to early East Asians specifically. We conclude that a scenario of hybridization with archaic hominins best explains the highly unusual morphology of LL1, possibly even occurring as late as the early Holocene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darren Curnoe
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Xueping Ji
- Yunnan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Paul S C Taçon
- Place, Evolution and Rock Art Heritage Unit, School of Humanities, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ge Yaozheng
- Baise Nationalities Museum, Baise, Guangxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Guy AJ, Curnoe D, Stone OM. Assessing the Release Success of Rehabilitated Vervet Monkeys in South Africa. African Journal of Wildlife Research 2015. [DOI: 10.3957/056.045.0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J. Guy
- School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia 2052
| | - Darren Curnoe
- School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia 2052
| | - Olivia M.L. Stone
- School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia 2052
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Stone OML, Laffan SW, Curnoe D, Herries AIR. The Spatial Distribution of Chacma Baboon (Papio ursinus) Habitat Based on an Environmental Envelope Model. INT J PRIMATOL 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-013-9669-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
18
|
Herries AIR, Pickering R, Adams JW, Curnoe D, Warr G, Latham AG, Shaw J. A Multi-Disciplinary Perspective on the Age of Australopithecus in Southern Africa. The Paleobiology of Australopithecus 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-5919-0_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
|
19
|
Guy AJ, Stone OML, Curnoe D. Animal welfare considerations in primate rehabilitation: an assessment of three vervet monkey ( Chlorocebus aethiops) releases in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Anim Welf 2012. [DOI: 10.7120/09627286.21.4.511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
|
20
|
Guy AJ, Stone OM, Curnoe D. The Release of a Troop of Rehabilitated Vervet Monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Outcomes and Assessment. Folia Primatol (Basel) 2012; 82:308-20. [DOI: 10.1159/000337269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
21
|
Curnoe D, Xueping J, Herries AIR, Kanning B, Taçon PSC, Zhende B, Fink D, Yunsheng Z, Hellstrom J, Yun L, Cassis G, Bing S, Wroe S, Shi H, Parr WCH, Shengmin H, Rogers N. Human remains from the Pleistocene-Holocene transition of southwest China suggest a complex evolutionary history for East Asians. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31918. [PMID: 22431968 PMCID: PMC3303470 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Accepted: 01/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Later Pleistocene human evolution in East Asia remains poorly understood owing to a scarcity of well described, reliably classified and accurately dated fossils. Southwest China has been identified from genetic research as a hotspot of human diversity, containing ancient mtDNA and Y-DNA lineages, and has yielded a number of human remains thought to derive from Pleistocene deposits. We have prepared, reconstructed, described and dated a new partial skull from a consolidated sediment block collected in 1979 from the site of Longlin Cave (Guangxi Province). We also undertook new excavations at Maludong (Yunnan Province) to clarify the stratigraphy and dating of a large sample of mostly undescribed human remains from the site. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We undertook a detailed comparison of cranial, including a virtual endocast for the Maludong calotte, mandibular and dental remains from these two localities. Both samples probably derive from the same population, exhibiting an unusual mixture of modern human traits, characters probably plesiomorphic for later Homo, and some unusual features. We dated charcoal with AMS radiocarbon dating and speleothem with the Uranium-series technique and the results show both samples to be from the Pleistocene-Holocene transition: ∼14.3-11.5 ka. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our analysis suggests two plausible explanations for the morphology sampled at Longlin Cave and Maludong. First, it may represent a late-surviving archaic population, perhaps paralleling the situation seen in North Africa as indicated by remains from Dar-es-Soltane and Temara, and maybe also in southern China at Zhirendong. Alternatively, East Asia may have been colonised during multiple waves during the Pleistocene, with the Longlin-Maludong morphology possibly reflecting deep population substructure in Africa prior to modern humans dispersing into Eurasia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darren Curnoe
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- * E-mail: (DC); (JX)
| | - Ji Xueping
- Yunnan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archeology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- Archeology Research Center, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- * E-mail: (DC); (JX)
| | - Andy I. R. Herries
- Archaeomagnetism Laboratory, Archaeology Program, School of Historical and European Studies, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bai Kanning
- Honghe Prefectural Institute of Cultural Relics, Mengzi, Yunnan, China
| | - Paul S. C. Taçon
- Place, Evolution and Rock Art Heritage Unit, School of Humanities, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bao Zhende
- Mengzi Institute of Cultural Relics, Mengzi, Yunnan, China
| | - David Fink
- Institute for Environmental Research, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Sydney, Australia
| | - Zhu Yunsheng
- Honghe Prefectural Institute of Cultural Relics, Mengzi, Yunnan, China
| | - John Hellstrom
- School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Luo Yun
- Mengzi Institute of Cultural Relics, Mengzi, Yunnan, China
| | - Gerasimos Cassis
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Su Bing
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology and Kunming Primate Research Centre, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Stephen Wroe
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology and Kunming Primate Research Centre, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - William C. H. Parr
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Natalie Rogers
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Stone OML, Laffan SW, Curnoe D, Rushworth I, Herries AIR. Distribution and population estimate for the chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Primates 2012; 53:337-44. [PMID: 22399261 DOI: 10.1007/s10329-012-0303-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2011] [Accepted: 02/20/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
23
|
Curnoe D. A 150-year conundrum: cranial robusticity and its bearing on the origin of aboriginal australians. Int J Evol Biol 2011; 2011:632484. [PMID: 21350636 PMCID: PMC3039414 DOI: 10.4061/2011/632484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2010] [Accepted: 12/16/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The origin of Aboriginal Australians has been a central question of palaeoanthropology since its inception during the 19th Century. Moreover, the idea that Australians could trace their ancestry to a non-modern Pleistocene population such as Homo erectus in Southeast Asia have existed for more than 100 years, being explicitly linked to cranial robusticity. It is argued here that in order to resolve this issue a new program of research should be embraced, one aiming to test the full range of alternative explanations for robust morphology. Recent developments in the morphological sciences, especially relating to the ontogeny of the cranium indicate that character atomisation, an approach underpinning phylogenetic reconstruction, is fraught with difficulties. This leads to the conclusion that phylogenetic-based explanations for robusticity should be reconsidered and a more parsimonious approach to explaining Aboriginal Australian origins taken. One that takes proper account of the complex processes involved in the growth of the human cranium rather than just assuming natural selection to explain every subtle variation seen in past populations. In doing so, the null hypothesis that robusticity might result from phenotypic plasticity alone cannot be rejected, a position at odds with both reticulate and deep-time continuity models of Australian origins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darren Curnoe
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Curnoe D, Su B, Chauhan P, Gowlett J. Key Evolutionary Transformations in Homo sapiens. Int J Evol Biol 2011; 2011:478690. [PMID: 22506134 PMCID: PMC3312191 DOI: 10.4061/2011/478690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2011] [Accepted: 12/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Darren Curnoe
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
Diminished bite force has been considered a defining feature of modern Homo sapiens, an interpretation inferred from the application of two-dimensional lever mechanics and the relative gracility of the human masticatory musculature and skull. This conclusion has various implications with regard to the evolution of human feeding behaviour. However, human dental anatomy suggests a capacity to withstand high loads and two-dimensional lever models greatly simplify muscle architecture, yielding less accurate results than three-dimensional modelling using multiple lines of action. Here, to our knowledge, in the most comprehensive three-dimensional finite element analysis performed to date for any taxon, we ask whether the traditional view that the bite of H. sapiens is weak and the skull too gracile to sustain high bite forces is supported. We further introduce a new method for reconstructing incomplete fossil material. Our findings show that the human masticatory apparatus is highly efficient, capable of producing a relatively powerful bite using low muscle forces. Thus, relative to other members of the superfamily Hominoidea, humans can achieve relatively high bite forces, while overall stresses are reduced. Our findings resolve apparently discordant lines of evidence, i.e. the presence of teeth well adapted to sustain high loads within a lightweight cranium and mandible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Wroe
- Computational Biomechanics Research Group, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Curnoe D, Brink J. Evidence of pathological conditions in the Florisbad cranium. J Hum Evol 2010; 59:504-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2010.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2008] [Revised: 05/26/2010] [Accepted: 05/21/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
27
|
Herries AI, Hopley PJ, Adams JW, Curnoe D, Maslin MA. Letter to the editor: Geochronology and palaeoenvironments of Southern African hominin-bearing localities-A reply to Wrangham et al., 2009. “Shallow-water habitats as sources of fallback foods for hominins”. Am J Phys Anthropol 2010; 143:640-6. [DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.21389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2010] [Accepted: 06/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
|
28
|
|
29
|
Abstract
The evolutionary background to the emergence of modern humans remains controversial. Four models have been proposed to explain this process and each has clearly definable and testable predictions about the geographical origins of early Australians and their possible biological interaction with other Pleistocene populations. The present study considers the phenetic affinities of early Australians from Kow Swamp (KS 1 and KS 5) and Keilor to Pleistocene Africans and Asians from calvarial dimensions. The study includes analyses employing log-transformed and size-corrected (Mosimann variables) data. The strongest signals to emerge are as follows: (1) a phenetic pattern in which Australians are most like each other, (2) all three crania possess a mosaic of archaic and modern features, (3) Kow Swamp crania also show strong affinities to archaic remains, (4) Keilor is more modern than KS 1 and KS 5 and (5) Keilor shows affinities to Pleistocene East Asian modern crania (Liujiang and Upper Cave 101) providing evidence for a broad regional morphology. The results refute the predictions of multi-species replacement models for early Australians but are consistent with single-species models. Combined with published evidence from DNA, the present study indicates that the Assimilation model presently offers the best explanation for the origins of Pleistocene Australians.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Curnoe
- Human Origins Group, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
|
31
|
Wroe S, Moreno K, Clausen P, McHenry C, Curnoe D. High-Resolution Three-Dimensional Computer Simulation of Hominid Cranial Mechanics. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2007; 290:1248-55. [PMID: 17847056 DOI: 10.1002/ar.20594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In vivo data demonstrates that strain is not distributed uniformly on the surface of the primate skull during feeding. However, in vivo studies are unable to identify or track changes in stress and strain throughout the whole structure. Finite element (FE) analysis, a powerful engineering tool long used to predict the performance of man-made devices, has the capacity to track stress/strain in three dimensions (3-D) and, despite the time-consuming nature of model generation, FE has become an increasingly popular analytical device among biomechanists. Here, we apply the finite element method using sophisticated computer models to examine whether 3-D stress and strain distributions are nonuniform throughout the primate skull, as has been strongly suggested by 2-D in vivo strain analyses. Our simulations document steep internal stress/strain gradients, using models comprising up to three million tetrahedral finite elements and 3-D reconstructions of jaw adducting musculature with both cranium and mandible in correct anatomical position. Results are in broad concurrence with the suggestion that few regions of the hominid cranium are clearly optimized for routine feeding and also show that external stress/strain does not necessarily reflect internal distributions. Findings further suggest that the complex heterogeneity of bone in the skull may act to dissipate stress, but that consequently higher strain must be offset by additional strain energy. We hypothesize that, despite energetic costs, this system may lend adaptive advantage through enhancing the organism's ability to modify its behavior before reaching catastrophic failure in bony or dental structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Wroe
- School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Abstract
This study reports a comparison of molar crown and cusp size and shape in the Swartkrans early Homo mandible SK 15 with relevant Plio-Pleistocene taxa. Univariate and multivariate methods are employed to consider the morphological affinities of this specimen and to assess its taxonomy. The case exists for classifying SK 15 in Homo habilis with 11 features aligning it with this species. The results of multivariate studies are consistent with this hypothesis. Moreover, SK 15 lacks a number of important features that characterise the mandibular molars of Homo sapiens erectus. Considerable evidence for parallelism in the dental morphology of SK 15 and H. habilis with A. robustus is discussed. Fossil evidence for the presence of H. sapiens erectus during the Plio-Pleistocene of South Africa presently seems to be lacking. Archaeological interpretations should take greater account of this gap in the fossil record.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Curnoe
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Abstract
Published molecular clocks for primates are used to estimate typical divergence times for phylogroups (1.6 Ma), species (3.3 Ma), sister species (2.7 Ma), genera (8.9 Ma) and sister genera (8.6 Ma). Significant median differences exist between major groups (infraorders and superfamilies) for various divergence times. These data are employed to estimate typical maximum duration of speciation. Typical primate values (1.1 Ma) suggest this process to be faster than is characteristic of many vertebrates. However, after considering divergence times for hybridizing congeneric and confamilial primates, this value is likely only to estimate the commencement of prezygotic isolating mechanisms, rather than the completion of reproductive isolation. Thus, speciation typically takes around 1.0 Ma to more than 4.0 Ma to occur, depending on whether prezygotic or post-zygotic isolating mechanisms are emphasized. Typical primate genus age is around 5.3 Ma, but we note differences among major groups. In light of these estimates, the classification of humans and chimpanzees is reconsidered using a molecular yardstick approach. Three taxonomic frameworks may flow from molecular analyses, all of them having major implications for understanding the evolution of humans and chimpanzees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Curnoe
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Curnoe D, Tobias PV. Description, new reconstruction, comparative anatomy, and classification of the Sterkfontein Stw 53 cranium, with discussions about the taxonomy of other southern African early Homo remains. J Hum Evol 2006; 50:36-77. [PMID: 16243378 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2005.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2002] [Revised: 06/30/2005] [Accepted: 07/15/2005] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Specimen Stw 53 was recovered in 1976 from Member 5 of the Sterkfontein Formation. Since its incomplete initial description and comparison, the partial cranium has figured prominently in discussions about the systematics of early Homo. Despite publication of a preliminary reconstruction in 1985, Stw 53 has yet to be compared comprehensively to other Plio-Pleistocene fossils or assessed systematically. In this paper, we report on a new reconstruction of this specimen and provide a detailed description and comparison of its morphology. Our reconstruction differs in important respects from the earlier one, especially in terms of neurocranial length, breadth, and height. However, given that Stw 53 exhibits extensive damage, these dimensions are most likely prone to much error in reconstruction. In areas of well-preserved bone, Stw 53 shares many cranial features with Homo habilis, and we propose retaining it within this species. We also consider the affinities of dental remains from Sterkfontein Member 5, along with those from Swartkrans and Drimolen previously assigned to Homo. We find evidence for sympatry of H. habilis and Australopithecus robustus and possibly Plio-Pleistocene Homo sapiens sensu lato in Sterkfontein Member 5. At Swartkrans and Drimolen, we find evidence of H. habilis. We also compare the morphologies of Stw 53 and SK 847 and find compelling evidence to assign the latter specimen to H. habilis, as has been proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darren Curnoe
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia.
| | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Abstract
Many questions about the skeletal adaptations and morphology of hunter-gatherers on the Australian continent remain unanswered. One anatomical region receiving little research in Australian fossils to date is the mandibular fossa. Here we report a study of three size dimensions, three shape indices and three morphological (non-metric) features of the mandibular fossa in 11 fossil Australians comparing them with modern Australo-Melanesian samples. We find broad similarities in past and modern populations in this region. Early and modern Australians and modern Papua New Guineans have elongate, broad and shallow fossae. All three populations show similarity in articular tubercle size, but postglenoid tubercle and entoglenoid process sizes show unexpected affinities. We also test for the possible presence of temporal trends in mandibular fossa size among fossil Australians. Our analyses indicate that none are present.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hayley Green
- Department of Anatomy, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia.
| | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Abstract
Cladistic analysis is a popular method for reconstructing evolutionary relationships on the human lineage. However, it has limitations and hidden assumptions that are often not considered by palaeoanthropologists. Some researchers who are opposed to its use regard cladistics as the preferred method for taxonomic "splitters" and claim it has lead to a revitalisation of typology. Typology remains a part of human evolutionary studies, regardless of the acceptance or use of cladistics. The assumption/preference for "splitting" over "lumping" in cladistics (alpha) taxonomy and the general failure to evaluate (post-hoc) such taxonomies have served to reinforce this assertion. Researchers have also adopted a number of practices that are logically untenable or introduce considerable error. The evolutionary trend of human encephalisation, apparently isometric with body size, and concurrent reduction in the gut and masticatory apparatus, suggests continuous cladistic characters are biased by problems of body size. The method suffers a logical weakness, or circularity, leading to bias when characters with multiple states are used. Coding of such characters can only be done using prior criteria, and this is usually done using an existing phylogenetic scheme. Another problem with coding character states is the handling of variation within species. While this form of variation is usually ignored by palaeoanthropologists, when characters are recognised as varying, their treatment as a separate state adds considerable error to cladograms. The genetic proximity of humans, chimpanzees and gorillas has important implications for cladistic analyses. It is argued that chimpanzees and gorillas should be treated as ingroup taxa and an alternative outgroup such as orangutans should be used, or an (hypothetical) ancestral body plan developed. Making chimpanzees and gorillas ingroup taxa would considerably enhance the biological utility of anthropological cladograms. All published human cladograms fail to meet standard quality criteria indicating that none of them may be considered reliable. The continuing uncertainty over the number and composition of fossil human species is the largest single source of error for cladistics and human phylogenetic reconstruction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Curnoe
- Sterkfontein Research Unit, School of Anatomical Sciences, Medical School, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 Parktown Road, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Abstract
Despite the remarkable developments in molecular biology over the past three decades, anthropological genetics has had only limited impact on systematics in human evolution. Genetics offers the opportunity to objectively test taxonomies based on morphology and may be used to supplement conventional approaches to hominid systematics. Our analyses, examining chromosomes and 46 estimates of genetic distance, indicate there may have been only around 4 species on the direct line to modern humans and 5 species in total. This contrasts with current taxonomies recognising up to 23 species. The genetic proximity of humans and chimpanzees has been used to suggest these species are congeneric. Our analysis of genetic distances between them is consistent with this proposal. It is time that chimpanzees, living humans and all fossil humans be classified in Homo. The creation of new genera can no longer be a solution to the complexities of fossil morphologies. Published genetic distances between common chimpanzees and bonobos, along with evidence for interbreeding, suggest they should be assigned to a single species. The short distance between humans and chimpanzees also places a strict limit on the number of possible evolutionary 'side branches' that might be recognised on the human lineage. All fossil taxa were genetically very close to each other and likely to have been below congeneric genetic distances seen for many mammals. Our estimates of genetic divergence suggest that periods of around 2 million years are required to produce sufficient genetic distance to represent speciation. Therefore, Neanderthals and so-called H. erectus were genetically so close to contemporary H. sapiens they were unlikely to have been separate species. Thus, it is likely there was only one species of human (H. sapiens) for most of the last 2 million years. We estimate the divergence time of H. sapiens from 16 genetic distances to be around 1.7 Ma which is consistent with evidence for the earliest migration out of Africa. These findings call into question the mitochondrial "African Eve" hypothesis based on a far more recent origin for H. sapiens and show that humans did not go through a bottleneck in their recent evolutionary history. Given the large offset in evolutionary rates of molecules and morphology seen in human evolution, Homo species are likely to be characterised by high levels of morphological variation and low levels of genetic variability. Thus, molecular data suggest the limits for intraspecific morphological variation used by many palaeoanthropologists have been set too low. The role of phenotypic plasticity has been greatly underestimated in human evolution. We call into question the use of mtDNA for studies of human evolution. This DNA is under strong selection, which violates the assumption of selective neutrality. This issue should be addressed by geneticists, including a reassessment of its use for molecular clocks. There is a need for greater cooperation between palaeoanthropologists and anthropological geneticists to better understand human evolution and to bring palaeoanthropology into the mainstream of evolutionary biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Curnoe
- Department of Archaeology and Natural History, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia.
| | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Abstract
Two fragments of a hominin tooth (Australopithecus robustus) and two bovid teeth from the Hanging Remnant of the Swartkrans Formation were analysed with ESR. Research was complicated by the fact that the samples came from a curated collection and their precise provenance is unknown. The environmental dose rate was reconstructed by a series of in situ gamma spectrometric measurements and elemental analyses of a range of sediment samples. U-series isotopic analyses indicated that each of the teeth had a significantly different uranium uptake history, rendering the assumptive early U-uptake and linear U-uptake models ineffective. ESR and U-series data were combined to calculate open system ages, resulting in a best estimate of 1630+/-160 ka for the Hanging Remnant. An open-system model which provides the maximum age for given U-series and ESR measurements yielded an estimate of about 2100 ka. Two bovid teeth from Member 2, previously estimated to be between 1.0 and 2.0 Ma, yielded age estimates of between about 100 and 200 ka. No known geochemical processes are likely to explain this severe age underestimation. We conclude that these samples are of Middle to Upper Pleistocene age and their presence in Member 2 was either due to reworking or inadequate stratigraphical discrimination of these deposits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Curnoe
- Department of Archaeology and Natural History, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Thorne A, Curnoe D. Sex and significance of Lake Mungo 3: reply to Brown "Australian pleistocene variation and the sex of Lake Mungo 3". J Hum Evol 2000; 39:587-600. [PMID: 11102270 DOI: 10.1006/jhev.2000.0442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
40
|
GrüN R, Spooner NA, Thorne A, Mortimer G, Simpson JJ, Mcculloch MT, Taylor L, Curnoe D. Age of the Lake Mungo 3 skeleton, reply to Bowler & Magee and to Gillespie & Roberts. J Hum Evol 2000; 38:733-41. [PMID: 10799263 DOI: 10.1006/jhev.2000.0399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R GrüN
- Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Thorne A, Grün R, Mortimer G, Spooner NA, Simpson JJ, McCulloch M, Taylor L, Curnoe D. Australia's oldest human remains: age of the Lake Mungo 3 skeleton. J Hum Evol 1999; 36:591-612. [PMID: 10330330 DOI: 10.1006/jhev.1999.0305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We have carried out a comprehensive ESR and U-series dating study on the Lake Mungo 3 (LM3) human skeleton. The isotopic Th/U and Pa/U ratios indicate that some minor uranium mobilization may have occurred in the past. Taking such effects into account, the best age estimate for the human skeleton is obtained through the combination of U-series and ESR analyses yielding 62,000+/-6000 years. This age is in close agreement with OSL age estimates on the sediment into which the skeleton was buried of 61,000+/-2000 years. Furthermore, we obtained a U-series age of 81,000+/-21,000 years for the calcitic matrix that was precipitated on the bones after burial. All age results are considerably older than the previously assumed age of LM3 and demonstrate the necessity for directly dating hominid remains. We conclude that the Lake Mungo 3 burial documents the earliest known human presence on the Australian continent. The age implies that people who were skeletally within the range of the present Australian indigenous population colonized the continent during or before oxygen isotope stage 4 (57,000-71,000 years).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Thorne
- Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|