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SummaryNeanderthal genomes have been recovered from sites across Eurasia, painting an increasingly complex picture of their populations’ structure, mostly indicating that late European Neanderthals belonged to a single metapopulation with no significant evidence of deep population structure. Here we report the discovery of a late Neanderthal individual, nicknamed “Thorin”, from Grotte Mandrin in Mediterranean France, and his genome. These dentognathic fossils, including a rare example of distomolars, are associated with a rich archeological record of their final technological traditions in this region ∼50-42 thousand years ago. Thorin’s genome reveals a deep divergence with other late Neanderthals. Thorin belonged to a population with small group size that showed no genetic introgression with other known late European Neanderthals, revealing genetic isolation of his lineage despite them living in neighboring regions. These results have important implications for resolving competing hypotheses about causes of the Neanderthals’ disappearance.One Sentence SummaryA new French Neanderthal fossil and its genome reveal complex population dynamics during the past 100,000 years.

Qafzeh 9 is an almost complete skeleton commonly employed as representative of the population of the eponymous site. However, its biological profile is still largely based on the age at death and sex estimation methods in use at the time of its discovery. Moreover, post-mortem damage to the skeleton has made difficult the observation of some morphoscopic features, particularly pelvic ones currently used in sex estimation. Here, we apply recent methods and paleoimaging to re-evaluate the biological profile of Qafzeh 9, taking into account post-mortem damage. The results suggest a young age at death, indicating that Qafzeh 9 died before reaching complete dental and bone maturity; they also support a male sex assignment.

International audience; Archaeological excavations carried out in the 1990s in the former rural parish of Rigny (Indre-et-Loire, France) uncovered 1738 graves. Among the individuals discovered, a female adult presents a series of cranial deformities characteristic of an extremely rare pathology, til then unknown in the archaeological record: the Treacher-Collins syndrome. It induces facial dysmorphism and is generally associated with hearing loss or even conductive deafness of the patient due to malformations of the hearing system.The retrospectif diagnosis of this individual was based on macroscopic analysis and computed tomography (CTscan). The use of 3D imaging made it possible to explore the impact of the pathology on the individual's hearing.In addition to the functional implications, the negative impacts of facial dysmorphic disorders in the social sphere are well known in today's societies while they are poorly documented for the medieval period.During this period, diet was an important social marker. The analysis of the individual affected by this syndrome’s diet, compared to those of other members of the Rigny village community, provide an opportunity to discuss the social significance of disability in a rural context in the Middle Ages. In this perspective, the isotopic ratios of carbon and nitrogen in this individual's bone collagen were compared to those of forty-seven other individuals found on the site.Archaeological, paleopathological and biochemical information are relevant to better characterize the functional repercussions of this syndrome on the Rigny individual and also to discuss the integration of this individual into this medieval village community.

Les restes crâniens de Dar-Es-Soltane II H5 ont été mis au jour en 1975 dans la grotte éponyme près de la ville côtière de Rabat au Maroc lors de fouilles dirigées par A. Debénath. Ils provenaient d’une couche stratigraphique ayant également livré un techno-complexe lithique de l’Atérien (Paléolithique moyen d’Afrique du Nord) qui a pu être daté autour de 80 ka. Les restes crâniens sont constitués par l’os frontal presque complet ainsi que, du côté gauche, d’une grande partie de la face, de l...

Objective This study aims to place trepanation in a medieval therapeutic context by addressing its medical use in neurological disorders and by testing the existence of particular dietary care for the sick. Materials Six cases of trepanation found at the St. Cosme priory (La Riche, France) dated from the 12th-15th centuries. Methods Neurological health was explored by geometric morphometrics by comparing the six cases to 68 skulls and 67 endocraniums belonging to individuals from the same period and geographical area. Trepanned diet was investigated by carbon and nitrogen isotopes and compared to 49 individuals from the same site. Results The study of shapes suggests a possible pathological state for four subjects. The diet of the trepanned is not different from the rest of the population. Conclusions The treatment of neurological disorders emerges as the main therapeutic motivation in the corpus, contrary to the reports from the ancient surgical treatises. A specific diet for the sick is not highlighted. Significance Geometric morphometrics is rarely used in paleopathology and the results suggest a potential of this type of analysis in the identification of pathological cases. The results on therapeutic motivations and diet do not fit the descriptions from ancient medical sources. Limitations The study of forms did not lead to definitive diagnosis. The isotopic study does not allow us to appreciate all the aspects of the diet. Suggestions for Further Research : A geometric morphometric study of the skulls and endocraniums of individuals with a known neurological condition would allow a better appreciation of the link between shapes and pathologies.

International audience; The bony labyrinth has received growing attention in the field of human evolution as it is a useful phylogenetic indicator in hominins, and is particularly useful for distinguishing anatomically modern humans and Neanderthals. The partial adult skeleton of Qafzeh 25 dated to 92 ± 5 ka B.P. suffers from serious post-mortem taphonomic damage that has limited its anatomical description and metrical analysis. However, the two petrosal bones are preserved and the bony labyrinths are not affected by post-mortem deformations. In this study, the methodology developed by Spoor (1993) is used to analyze and compare the morphometric data from Qafzeh 25 semi-circular canals and cochlea to that of other fossils from the site and more generally to the published hominin sample (Middle and Late Pleistocene hominins). While this analysis reveals that the Qafzeh 25 bony labyrinth resembles that other Qafzeh individuals, it extends the range of variation within the sample for some variables.

Horse riding, a determinant activity in the history of human cultural evolution, remains unreliably identifiable from the analysis of human skeletal remains due to various sample and methodological limitations. Through a comparison between well-documented series of presumed riders and non-riders, this study aimed to investigate the link between skeletal fractures and that practice in past populations. We relied on a Hungarian Conquest period population (Sarretudvari-Hizofold, Hungary, 10th century CE) known to be composed of mounted archers. We recorded the presence of acute fractures on the main bones of the upper and lower skeleton to analyze their distribution and perform comparisons between the individuals with or without riding-related deposits in their grave and with an out-sample group of presumed non-riders from the documented Luis Lopes Skeletal Collection (Lisbon). We observed more fractures in the Hungarian series and especially higher rates concerning the upper limb, while the distribution of traumas was more homogenous in the documented collection. There were also significantly more clavicle fractures in the Hungarian group with riding deposit than in the non-riders from Lisbon, whose type can be related to a fall from a height. Our results coincide with sports medicine data on equestrians, whose injuries mostly concern the upper limbs. Such traumas, and especially clavicle fractures, are often caused, indeed, by a fall from a horse. Through the use of pertinent anthropological series, this study provides the most reliable association between the presence of skeletal traumas and the practice of horse riding in a past population.

Objective Skeletal collections of immature individuals identified by age and sex serve as reference material for studying development in past populations. Several of these collections were established during the Industrial Revolution (IR), a period known for its difficult living conditions in industrial cities. We question if these collections represent useful comparisons from which to explore the natural history of human growth. Materials Immature individuals from two skeletal collections contemporaneous to the IR period were studied: 71 children from the Spitalfields (UK) and 108 from the Strasbourg (F) collections. Among them we selected mandibles of individuals aged from 0 to 30 months, representing 32 and 52 individuals, respectively. Methods We scored the dental development of first and second left deciduous molars according to (Moorrees et al., 1963) stages, from X-rays (Spitalfields) or CT-scans (Strasbourg) data and compared it with the modern reference pattern from the Lewis Growth Records by covariance analysis (ANCOVA). Results Statistical differences exist in the dental development timeline between the 3 samples. This mainly concerns a delay in the root formation in IR samples that related to post-natal living conditions. Conclusions The delay in dental development timeline suggests that growth processes were impacted during IR in England and France, probably due to stressful living conditions. Significance keletal collections dating from the IR period in Europe might be not the most appropriate referencesl for studying the natural history of human growth. Limitations This study focus on dental development only. Suggestions for further research Exploring the skeletal growth pattern in other skeletal collections, pre or post-dating the IR, is advised.

Objective The development of tuberculosis is classically associated with the rise of the Industrial Revolution. Our objective is to test this epidemiological hypothesis for populations in France between the 18th and 20th centuries using osteoarchaeological and historical sources. Materials Osteoarchaeological sources include two skeletal collections from plague epidemics in Provence (1590 and 1722) representing a total of 349 individuals and medical archives dating 1750–1930 from Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier. Methods Paleoepidemiological analysis (crude prevalence rate) of the archeological data, and epidemiological analysis of historical data included the proportional mortality rate of tuberculosis (PMR-TB) and the mortality rate by tuberculosis (MR-TB). Results Mean prevalence of TB before the 19th century was approximately 30 %, according to osteoarchaeological data. Historical sources showed that pulmonary TB was responsible for 33 % of total deaths in the city of Marseille during the second half of the 18th century and represented about 20 % of deaths in the four French cities during the 19th century. The mortality rate was 6.5 per thousand inhabitants in the 18th century (Marseille) and stable at 4–5 ‰ during the 19th century before, during, and after the Industrial Revolution period, with the exception of years 1870–1871 (French-Prussian war), when it increased. Conclusions Population increase contemporary to the industrialization process did not increase the mortality rate by tuberculosis in France. Significance The epidemiological assertion that tuberculosis increased with the Industrial Revolution in cities must be reevaluated. In France, and perhaps in other cities, it was an endemic disease at least a century before, and associated with a higher mortality rate. Limitations Reliability and biases inherent to archaeological and historical data prior and during the Industrial Revolution must be taken into account. Suggestions for further research Extension of research to all the French territories (rural and urban areas) is advised.

Objective This study explores whether data relating to rickets from the French medico-historical literature (FMHL) and bioarchaeological grey literature are useful in evaluating its epidemiology during the industrialisation of France. Unlike other European countries such as England, industrialisation in France was a slow and continuous process with two phases: the first in 1830–1870 and the second in 1870–1914. Materials and methods A bibliographical analysis of 2800 FMHL sources from the 18th to the early 20th centuries and 50 archaeological excavation reports from the last 21 years was undertaken. Results The FMHL data is very heterogeneous and predominantly dates to the second phase of industrialisation. The bioarchaeological data is very incomplete and predominantly relates to the period before industrialisation. At the same time, knowledge improvement and institutional changes to protect children could explain more systematic registration of cases of rickets. Conclusions No solid conclusions can be made regarding the prevalence of rickets at present, however these data hold great potential. Significance In comparison to England, no systematic investigation of rickets prevalence during the period of industrialisation in France has been undertaken to date. Limitations The lack of archaeological excavations from this period and the limited paleopathological analysis of the sites excavated have contributed to our current lack of understanding regarding the impact of industrialization on the prevalence of rickets on the French population. Suggestions for further work The FMHL data needs to be homogenized and osteoarchaeological collections need to be restudied with a common protocol focusing on signs of vitamin D deficiency.

International audience; Three-dimensional (3D) imaging is now extensively used for studying ancient human and animal bones. This method has been consensually adopted by palaeoanthropologists, but its interest in palaeopathology has been challenged. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the contribution of 3D reconstructions to retrospective diagnosis in palaeopathology. We selected six palaeopathological cases among our research corpus representing three nosographic categories (trauma, infection and neoplasia) from various periods ranging from the Middle Palaeolithic to the beginning of the Modern Era. For each case, we compared the diagnostic value of plain X-ray, computed tomography (CT) slices, and 3D reconstructions. The latter were performed using TIVMI program, a free software for research use developed by one of us. Reconstructions are obtained by surface extraction that follows a segmentation process. We showed that this 3D method allowed reconstructing/quantifying pathological processes on ancient bones, usefully supplementing conventional radiological analyses and clearly bringing an added value to retrospective diagnosis in palaeopathology. K E Y W O R D S 3D reconstruction, CT scan, palaeoimaging, palaeoradiology, surface extraction

A 66 year-old woman with a disproportionate dwarfism and who bore seven children was discovered at the Middenbeemster archaeological site (The Netherlands). Three are perinates and show no macroscopic or radiological evidence for a FGFR3 mutation causing hypo-or achondroplasia. This mutation induces dysfunction of the growth cartilage, leading to abnormalities in the development of trabecular bone. Because the mutation is autosomal dominant, these perinates have a 50% risk of having been affected. This study determines whether trabecular bone microarchitecture (TBMA) analysis is useful for detecting genetic dwarfism. Proximal metaphyses of humeri were μCT-scanned with a resolution of 7–12 μm. Three volumes of interest were segmented from each bone with TIVMI© software. The TBMA was quantified in BoneJ© using six parameters on which a multivariate analysis was then performed. Two of the Middenbeemster perinates show a quantitatively different TBMA organization. These results and the family’s medical history suggest a diagnosis of genetic dwarfism for this two perinates. This study provides evidence to support the efficacy of μCT for diagnosing early-stage bone disease.

International audience; The invasion of Russia by the Napoleonic Grande Armée was a complete disaster. The French army was decimated during the retreat from Russia. Thousands of victims were buried in mass graves located near several cities during the retreat. One of these mass graves was discovered in in the centre of Kaliningrad (formerly Königsberg), presently the most occidental oblast of the Russian Federation. Some skeletons revealed evidence of violence related traumatic injuries. Among them, the skeleton C2 belonged to a young male, who had suffered a serious injury to the lower face. The state of post‐traumatic remodelling indicated survival of about 2 months (between more than 6 weeks and less than 3 months).The 3D reconstruction of the mandible and the maxilla contributed additional information about the injury, its cause, and treatment. This permitted pretraumatic reconstruction of the viscerocranium and mandible through the application of two new techniques: virtual osteotomy and virtual bone transplant from another individual and perform an approximation of the face (to recreate the soft tissues) of this unidentified soldier using anthropological facial approximation in three dimensions software. These results highlight the use of 3D methods in paleopathology and forensic anthropology to reconstruct traumatic facial injuries and the pretraumatic facial appearance.

Horse riding is a human activity that has particularly interested bioanthropologists and paleopathologists working on the reconstruction of activities from skeletal changes in ancient populations. However, various sample and methodological limitations, such as the absence of direct evidence connecting the individuals and the activity, result in a lack of confidence regarding what changes should be included in the so‐called horse riding syndrome. Focusing on the ovalization of the acetabulum, regularly mentioned in literature, we analyzed comparative samples of presumed riders and non‐riders to evaluate its reliability for the identification of horse riding. We relied on a Hungarian Conquest period collection (10th century CE), including several individuals associated with horse riding equipment or horse bones in the graves. Direct and easily repeatable measurements were used to calculate an index of ovalization of the acetabulum (IOA). The index values were compared according to the presence or absence of archaeological deposit. An extra‐group of presumed non‐riders from the documented Luis Lopes Skeletal Collection (Lisbon) was used for comparison. Early Hungarians buried with horse‐related grave goods exhibited a higher overall IOA compared with the ones without and those known not to ride (p = 0.049 in the latter case, with left and right values combined). Our results suggest that the ovalization of the acetabulum may indeed be a promising indicator to be included in a set of markers for horse riding. The analysis of further different types of pathological and nonpathological skeletal changes (e.g., joint and entheseal changes) will contribute to a more reliable identification of horse riders in anthropological collections.

International audience; The aim of this paper is to provide new insights into growth patterns and health of Mousterian huntergatherers dated to ca. 90-100 kyrs B.P. from the Qafzeh site. Materials: An almost complete skeleton, including the mandible from the Qafzeh site (Qafzeh 9). Methods: Micro-CT and medical imaging techniques are used to explore inaccessible inner structures and to assess the etiology of identified lesion. Results: Mandibular and dental conditions appear to be growth-related skeletal disorders. Conclusion: To our knowledge, Qafzeh 9 offers the earliest evidence of associated mandibular and dental pathological conditions (i.e. non-ossifying fibroma of the mandible, pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption and osteochondritis dissecans of the temporomandibular joint) among early anatomically modern humans, and more generally among Middle Palaeolithic hominins in Southwestern Asia. The diagnoses can be added to other growth-related disorders of skulls previously documented from the Qafzeh site (Tillier, 1999; Tillier et al., 2001), suggesting a quite high and exceptional incidence of these conditions compared to those of Palaeolithic populations. Significance: Identification of pathological conditions in subadults from Eurasia dated to the Middle Palaeolithic is documented less often than in adult skeletons. Hence, new results from immature fossil remains are particularly important to our understanding of the past. Suggestions for further research: This research will be extended to the rest of the skeleton, then to all Qafzeh specimens in order to broaden our understanding of this anatomically modern group.

International audience; The invasion of Russia by the Napoleonic Grande Armée was a complete disaster. TheFrench army was decimated during the retreat from Russia. Thousands of victimswere buried in mass graves located near several cities during the retreat. One of thesemass graves was discovered in in the centre of Kaliningrad (formerly Königsberg),presently the most occidental oblast of the Russian Federation. Some skeletonsrevealed evidence of violence related traumatic injuries. Among them, the skeletonC2 belonged to a young male, who had suffered a serious injury to the lower face.The state of post‐traumatic remodelling indicated survival of about 2 months(between more than 6 weeks and less than 3 months).The 3D reconstruction of the mandible and the maxilla contributed additional informationabout the injury, its cause, and treatment. This permitted pretraumatic reconstructionof the viscerocranium and mandible through the application of two newtechniques: virtual osteotomy and virtual bone transplant from another individualand perform an approximation of the face (to recreate the soft tissues) of this unidentifiedsoldier using anthropological facial approximation in three dimensions software.These results highlight the use of 3D methods in paleopathology and forensic anthropologyto reconstruct traumatic facial injuries and the pretraumatic facial appearance.

International audience; Periosteal reactions are frequently used as a proxy for past populations' health. However, macroscopic evidence of periosteal activity observed on infant's dry bones can be difficult to interpret in terms of normal growth process or pathological changes. This could lead to over-interpretation of a poor health status during childhood in past populations.The aim of our study is to propose new distinctive micro-morphological criteria to differentiate between non-adult dry bones presenting physiological sub-periosteal bone growth and periosteal reaction due to pathological conditions.We sampled 12 perinatal human tibiae from two osteoarcheological collections and proceeded a 3D microstructural analysis of the canal network of cortical bone using micro-CT.3D canal network organization in cortical bone allowed us to distinguish physiological from pathological periosteal reactions. Moreover, our study revealed different types of organization of the cortical bone microstructure corresponding to various stages of bone remodeling.This exploratory study shows the advantages of a non-destructive microscopic analysis using 3D imaging of the cortical canal network organization in order to distinguish between physiological and pathological bone production during early growth. This will contribute to a better understanding of past populations' epidemiology.

International audience; Objectives: Purported evolutionary shifts in shoulder structure have been linked to changes inhominin behavior and adaptation. Researchers use clavicle morphology to infer these shifts.However, there is a lack of empirical data underlying such predictive relationships. This studyinvestigates how clavicle morphology affects articulated shoulder girdle and upper thorax configurationin humans.Materials and Methods: Landmarks and scalar measurements on the clavicle, scapula, and ribs1–3 were collected from three-dimensional computed tomographic scans of living humans.Covariation between disarticulated and articulated morphology was assessed using partial leastsquares and regression analyses.Results: We found support for hypotheses linking combined dimensions of the clavicle, ribs, andscapula to resting protraction. Individuals with relatively short clavicles tend to exhibit protractedand elevated resting positions of the scapula. It is more difficult to predict superoinferiorconfiguration, which is only minimally affected by clavicle curvature. Instead, the superoinferiorposition of the scapula on the thorax is governed equally by clavicle orientation and rib declination.Shoulder breadth is determined primarily by clavicle length, but orientation has a comparableeffect. Therefore, reliable reconstructions of shoulder breadth can be established usingclavicle length, together with consideration of orientation. Relationships between clavicle andthorax morphology are weaker.Discussion: Understanding the determinants of variation in human shoulder structure informsinterpretation of skeletal remains. Our investigations describe how important aspects of shoulderstructure can be inferred from disarticulated clavicles and we provide the attendant predictiveequations. Future work on interspecific variation will improve skeletal reconstruction formore ancient hominins.

3D imaging has become an essential tool in the field of biological anthropology, notably for human evolution purposes. High resolution virtual 3D reconstructions of original specimens contribute to their preservation and broaden the ability for research, teaching and exchanges. Paleopathology can get substantial benefit from these methods, among others for reconstructing infectious pathological processes on ancient bones. Tuberculosis is frequently diagnosed on ancient human remains; however, some osseous expressions are difficult to interpret using classical methods. We illustrate here the interest of 3D methods for reconstructing processes involved in pathological bone changes due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Four paleopathological specimens attributed to this infection, dating from different time periods and concerning diverse parts of the skeleton have been analyzed using a specific 3D digital chain we have previously developed. These 3D analyses allow to virtually reconstruct the initial location and aspect of the infectious process, its extension as well as its possible diffusion to the surrounding soft tissues. This possible virtual follow-up of the disease leads to the concept of processual paleopathology that we would like to introduce in the field. The 3D methodology can help to improve our knowledge of natural history and evolution of ancient human infections such as tuberculosis.

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Unique bone damage identified on Middle Bronze Age human skeletal material from the Southern Levant provided important information about the processes of modification and the possible funerary practices resulting in such damage. By comparing archaeological remains with recent skeletal material and by using computed tomography (CT) scans and 3D imaging techniques, the damage is interpreted as pupal chambers created by dermestid beetles. Using skeletal remains from two Middle Bronze Age sites, Jericho Tomb E1 and Munhata Tomb 641, we then discuss how the bores and tunnels left by dermestid beetles on human bones might constitute an interpretative key to the funerary practices of Middle Bronze Age collective burials.

L’imagerie par rayons X, bi- et tridimensionnelle, est devenue une méthodologie incontournable dans de nombreux champs disciplinaires dont celui des sciences archéologiques. Contrairement aux autres méthodes d’imagerie permettant seulement des acquisitions de surface (photographie et photogrammétrie, scanner laser), le rayonnement X permet également des acquisitions de volume, ce qui s’avère être un avantage fondamental dans les indications nécessitant de visualiser du contenu sans toucher au contenant. Cette propriété physique du rayonnement X de traverser la matière et de révéler l’intérieur des objets sur des images projetées en 2 dimensions a été appliquée très tôt au domaine archéologique, dès l’invention même de la radiologie en 1895, en parallèle avec son développement fulgurant dans le domaine médical. Les applications « archéométriques » des rayons X ont fait émerger le terme de paléoradiologie, qui définit l’application du rayonnement X à l’étude de matériaux bio-archéologiques. Un siècle après, les méthodes d’acquisition par rayons X se sont considérablement développées (radiologie numérique, tomodensitométrie, microtomographie RX) et le traitement des images a ouvert l’accès, grâce à la révolution numérique, à une nouvelle dimension. L’introduction de cette troisième dimension pour l’imagerie radiologique a permis de nombreuses avancées en recherches fondamentale et appliquée dans le domaine archéologique, tout en renouvelant considérablement les possibilités de conservation et de valorisation du patrimoine. En constituant un réseau interdisciplinaire, nous avons développé, à partir de la tomodensitométrie, une chaîne complète d’imagerie tridimensionnelle, initiée pour l’anthropologie biologique et qui trouve ses applications dans le domaine de l’archéologie et plus récemment dans celui de la chirurgie reconstructrice. En parallèle avec l’utilisation des rayons X, d’autres méthodes d’acquisitions d’images apportent également leurs contributions à l’archéologie. Leur intégration dans une approche transdisciplinaire utilisant l’ensemble des modalités non-destructives d’acquisition d’images et de leur représentation (multimodale et multidimensionnelle) a été nommée paléo-imagerie. La paléo-imagerie s’exprime à la fois sur le terrain et en laboratoire, fonctionne de manière diachronique (sans focus chronologique, de la préhistoire aux périodes contemporaines) et holistique en contextualisant l’objet dans son environnement archéologique. Dans cette optique, la paléo-imagerie a toute sa place au sein des méthodes de l’archéométrie

Within the Qafzeh Middle Palaeolithic hominin sample from Lower Galilee, the Qafzeh 25 adult skeletal elements have been severely damaged during fossilization and especially the skull and mandible have been bilaterally compressed. Following advances provided by 3D imaging techniques, in this study we propose a virtual reconstruction of the mandible using computed tomography (CT) scans of the original fossil material. This virtual reconstruction was performed using TIVMI software program and enabled us to provide the first comparative and morphometric analysis of Qafzeh 25 with other Palaeolithic and Epipalaeolithic mandibles from the Mediterranean Levant., Au sein de l’échantillon d’individus de Qafzeh (Basse Galilée), datés du Paléolithique moyen, Qafzeh 25 est représenté par des composants du squelette ayant été sérieusement altérés pendant la fossilisation, et tout particulièrement le bloc crânio-facial et la mandibule compressés bilatéralement. Grâce aux avancées méthodologiques de l’imagerie 3D, nous proposons dans cette étude une reconstitution virtuelle de la mandibule à partir de CT-scans du fossile original. Cette restauration virtuelle réalisée à l’aide du logiciel TIVMI permet de mener une première analyse morphométrique comparative avec les autres mandibules connues au Levant méditerranéen pour le Paléolithique et l’Épipaléolithique., Schuh Alexandra, Dutailly Bruno, Coutinho Nogueira Dany, Santos Frédéric, Arensburg Baruch, Vandermeersch Bernard, Coqueugniot Hélène, Tillier Anne-marie. La mandibule de l’adulte Qafzeh 25 (Paléolithique moyen), Basse Galilée. Reconstruction virtuelle 3D et analyse morphométrique. In: Paléorient, 2017, vol. 43, n°1. pp. 49-59.

The site of Tell Mureybet in Syria yielded several human remains, partly dated from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (8300-8200 BC), including a skeleton from an incomplete primary burial (grave 3) excavated in 1974. The study of the bones helps us to reconstruct the plausible cause of death, a thoraco-abdominal fatal wound caused by an arrow shot in the chest. This is clearly evidenced by the presence of a flint arrowhead embedded in the 10th thoracic vertebra. The X-rays, CT-scan and 3D reconstruction of the vertebra and the arrowhead allow two hypotheses regarding this death : a hunting accident or a case of interpersonal violence., Le site de Tell Mureybet en Syrie a livré les restes humains de plusieurs individus datés entre autres du Néolithique précéramique B (8300-8200 BC), dont un squelette provenant d’une sépulture primaire incomplète (tombe 3) fouillée en 1974. L’étude des ossements a montré que cet individu, un adulte de sexe indéterminé, est probablement décédé des suites immédiates d’une plaie thoraco-abdominale causée par une flèche reçue dans la poitrine, attestée par une pointe de flèche en silex fichée dans la 10e vertèbre thoracique. Grâce aux radiographies, aux scanners et aux reconstitutions 3D de la vertèbre et de la flèche, deux hypothèses sont proposées, un accident de chasse et un cas de violence interpersonnelle., Chamel Bérénice, Coqueugniot Hélène, Dutour Olivier, Mindaoui Loic, Le Mort Françoise. Interpersonal violence or hunting accident among the last hunter-gatherers? A flint projectile embedded in a thoracic vertebra from the Early Neolithic site of Tell Mureybet, Syria. In: Paléorient, 2017, vol. 43, n°2. Recheches archéologiques récentes en préhistoire et protohistoire en Syrie / Recent archaeological research in Syria (13th mill. BC – 2nd mill. BC) pp. 25-34.

Human tuberculosis has been considered for a long time as a model of animal infection transmitted to humans, resulting from cattle domestication at the Neolithic period. A decade ago, studies of molecular phylogeny of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) has challenged this dogma, suggesting that this human infection could be as old as the human species and emerged ca 2-3 Myrs ago. Yet, recent studies of molecular clock computations proposed that human tuberculosis could not be older than 6 kyrs BP. In order to bring new data to this debate, we studied the paleopathological evidence of tuberculosis on a large sample of two Neolithic sites from Syria in the Near East, cradle of agriculture and domestication : Dja’de el-Mughara (9310-8290 cal. BC) located in the Middle Euphrates Valley (Northern Syria) and Tell Aswad (8200-7500 cal. BC) in the Central Levant (Southern Syria). Both sites have delivered skeletal remains of more than one hundred individuals deriving from different funeral contexts. We used methods of paleopathology, microstructural analysis (μ-CT) and paleomicrobiology. The paleopathological study gave evidence to the most ancient paleopathological known cases of human TB (one adult and nine immature individuals at Dja’de el-Mughara and one adult at Tell Aswad) predating or accompanying the emergence of animal domestication. Among the eleven cases identified, five individuals from Dja’de el-Mughara have been buried in the House of the Dead, while the other individuals at both sites were found in primary, plural and mixed burials. On the basis of these results, the future challenge would be to understand the close contact between humans and animals role in the evolution of MTBC and the mechanisms of modern human tuberculosis strains emergence and spread. For this reason, the Levant is a crucial region as a key center for domestication and sedentism origins., La tuberculose a été considérée, pendant longtemps, comme une zoonose transmise à l’homme par des bovins, notamment lors du processus de domestication de l’aurochs au Néolithique. Des travaux de phylogénie moléculaire récents ont remis en question ce dogme, montrant que le complexe Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTBC) a existé comme pathogène humain depuis environ trois millions d’années. Cependant, des études récentes basées sur deux horloges moléculaires différentes ont proposé que la tuberculose humaine date de moins de 6 000 ans. Afin d’apporter de nouvelles données à ce débat, nous avons étudié les marqueurs paléopathologiques de la tuberculose sur des restes humains découverts dans le berceau proche-oriental de la Néolithisation, sur les sites de Dja’de el-Mughara (9310-8290 cal. BC) dans la moyenne Vallée de l’Euphrate (Syrie du Nord) et de Tell Aswad (8200-7500 cal. BC) au Levant central (Syrie du Sud). Ces deux sites ont livré chacun les restes squelettiques de plus d’une centaine d’individus qui ont fait l’objet de pratiques funéraires diverses. Les résultats obtenus par différentes approches (paléopathologie, micro-tomodensitométrie, paléomicrobiologie) confirment que ces vestiges constituent les plus anciens cas de la tuberculose humaine (un adulte et neuf immatures à Dja’de el-Mughara et un adulte à Tell Aswad) précédant et accompagnant l’émergence de la domestication des bovins au Proche-Orient. Parmi les onze cas identifiés, cinq individus ont été enterrés dans la Maison des Morts à Dja’de el-Mughara, les autres étaient inhumés dans des sépultures primaires, plurielles et mixtes. Sur la base de ces résultats, le futur défi serait de comprendre le rôle du contact étroit entre les humains et les animaux dans l’évolution du MTBC et les mécanismes d’émergence et de diffusion des souches modernes de la tuberculose humaine. Dans cette perspective, le Levant apparaît comme une région clé pendant les premières phases de la domestication animale et de la sédentarisation., Baker Oussama, Chamel Bérénice, Coqueugniot Éric, Khawam Rima, Stordeur Danielle, Perrin Pascale, Pálfi György, Gourichon Lionel, Coqueugniot Hélène, Le Mort Françoise, Dutour Olivier. Prehistory of human tuberculosis: Earliest evidence from the onset of animal husbandry in the Near East. In: Paléorient, 2017, vol. 43, n°2. Recheches archéologiques récentes en préhistoire et protohistoire en Syrie / Recent archaeological research in Syria (13th mill. BC – 2nd mill. BC) pp. 35-51.

International audience; Les 37e Journées internationales d’archéologie mérovingienne se sont déroulées à Saint-Dizier en 2016 et ont été coorganisées par l’Inrap (Stéphanie Desbrosse-Degobertière et Marie-Cécile Truc), le musée de Saint-Dizier (Virginie Dupuy) et l’AFAM. Le thème du colloque L’animal au haut Moyen Âge a permis de faire le point sur les dernières avancées de la recherche archéologique, avec une répartition homogène entre synthèses régionales et études de cas spécifiques. Par ailleurs, une session a été consacrée à la présentation de l’actualité de la recherche archéologique sur le haut Moyen Âge dans l’Est de la France. Cet article présente les un groupe de tombes en contexte d'habitat.

Osseous ankylosis of large joints that occurs secondary to infection is rarely described in developed countries, thanks to diagnostic techniques that allow early detection and treatment of the underlying infection. Evidence of the natural history and progression of the disease is now primarily studied through the observation and analysis of osteoarcheological specimens, and medical reports or books dating from the pre-antibiotic era. This report illustrates several cases where modern medical imaging techniques and ancient medical literature were success- fully interpreted to diagnose rare, advanced-stage tuberculous alterations in osteoarcheological specimens. Two skeletons from the Batmonostor cemetery (Hungary) demonstrate complete unilateral ankylosis of the knee. Macroscopic and radiographic examinations were undertaken to assess the extent of skeletal changes and determine their cause. Data obtained from computed tomography (CT) were constructed in 2D and 3D. The 2D CT images revealed cavities involving both the metaphyses and the epiphyses. The 3D reconstruc- tions allowed us to reconstruct the more precise volumetric morphology of the circumscribed lytic lesions, as well as clear 'image-mirror' lacunar volumes. On the basis of the macroscopic and radiological analyses, extra-spinal tuberculous infection seems to have been the most probable etiology of these two cases. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Accuracy of forensic facial approximation and superimposition techniques relies on the knowledge of anatomical correlations between soft and hard tissues. Recent studies by Stephan and collaborators (6,8,10) reviewed traditional guidelines leading to a wrong placement of the eyeball in the orbit. As those statements are based on a small cadaver sample, we propose a validation of these findings on a large database (n = 375) of living people. Computed tomography scans of known age and sex subjects were used to collect landmarks on three-dimensional surfaces and DICOM with TIVMI. Results confirmed a more superior and lateral position of the eyeball relatively to the orbital rims. Orbital height and breadth were used to compute regression formulae and proportional placement using percentages to find the most probable position of the eyeball in the orbit. A size-related sexual dimorphism was present but did not impact on the prediction accuracy.

L’examen des restes immatures de la sepulture collective neolithique recent de « La Truie Pendue », situee a Passy dans le departement de l’Yonne, a permis de developper une methode de denombrement des sujets immatures adaptee a une sepulture collective comprenant de nombreux restes fragmentes. En plus d’une estimation du nombre minimum de sujets immatures, cette methode propose une repartition par classe d’âge de cette population immature. Les perspectives offertes pour apprehender la place des enfants dans les sepultures collectives neolithiques et dans ces societes se trouvent multipliees. Ainsi, les resultats obtenus pour « La Truie Pendue » ont permis de mettre en oeuvre une etude du recrutement qui semble indiquer que les sujets immatures ont eu acces a la sepulture dans des proportions compatibles avec un schema de mortalite « naturelle ».