Case of an osteolytic lesion on an Italian Neandertal Mandibule

Delphine Tardivo (1, 2, 3) , Silvana Condemi (4) , Bruno Foti (3)

1 APHM - Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille
2 AMU ODONTO - Aix-Marseille Université - Faculté d'odontologie
3 ADES - Anthropologie bio-culturelle, Droit, Ethique et Santé
4 UAABC - Anthropologie Bio-Culturelle

This article describes an osteolytic odontogenetic lesion found on the mandible of a Neanderthal from the Middle Paleolithic site of Riparo Mezzena near the city of Verona (Italy). A pathology was revealed through X-ray and computerized-tomodensitometric examinations. This lesion was compared to present and sub-contemporary populations and indicates that it may have been of infectious origin, resulting from a bacterial invasion of the root canal of a coronal pulp exposure. The bacterial contamination may have resulted either from a traumatic fracture, a cavity, or extensive wear on the tooth.

Domaines: Anthropologie biologique

Delphine Tardivo, Silvana Condemi, Bruno Foti. Case of an osteolytic lesion on an Italian Neandertal Mandibule. Comptes Rendus. Palevol, 2012, 11 (1), pp.79-83. ⟨10.1016/j.crpv.2011.08.004⟩. ⟨hal-01819942⟩