The diet of the first Europeans from Atapuerca

• DOI: 10.1038/srep43319
• Publication Date: 2017-02-27T10:14:07Z
• Authors: Alejandro Pérez-P...; Marina Lozano; Alejandro Romero; Laura M. Martínez; Jordi Galbany; Beatriz Pinilla; Ferran Estebaranz...; José María Bermúd...; Eudald Carbonell; Juan Luís Arsuaga
• Keywords: Hominidae; Tooth wear; Early Pleistocene

Hominin dietary specialization is crucial to understanding the evolutionary changes of craniofacial biomechanics and interaction food processing methods' effects on teeth. However, diet-related dental wear processes earliest European hominins remain unknown because most academic attention has focused Neandertals. Non-occlusal microwear provides direct evidence effect chewed particles tooth enamel surfaces reflects signals over time. Here, we report for first time abrasiveness as evidenced by buccal patterns teeth Sima del Elefante-TE9 Gran Dolina-TD6 Atapuerca (1.2-0.8 million years ago - Myr) compared with other Lower Middle Pleistocene populations. A unique pattern that found in Homo antecessor (0.96-0.8 Myr), a well-known cannibal species, indicates practices are consistent consumption hard brittle foods. Our findings confirm oldest inhabitants ingested more mechanically-demanding diets than later populations they were confronted harsh, fluctuating environmental conditions. Furthermore, influence grit-laden suggests high-quality meat diet from butchering could have fueled brain size.