Lower limb entheseal morphology in the XXXX Krapina population (Croatia, 130,000 BP).

@entity1 @entity924 @entity4840
Although the @entity4840 locomotor system has been shown to differ from @entity1 , characteristics of @entity4840 entheses, the skeletal attachments for muscles, tendons, ligaments and joint capsules, have never been specifically investigated. Here, we analyse lower limb entheses of the Krapina @entity4840 bones (Croatia, 130,000 BP) with the aim of determining how they compare with modern @entity1 , using a standard developed by our research group for describing modern @entity1 entheseal variability. The entheses examined are those of the gluteus maximus, iliopsoas and vastus medialis on the femur, the quadriceps @entity924 , and soleus on the tibia. For the entheses showing a different morphological pattern from @entity1 , we discuss the possibility of recognising genetic versus environmental causes. Our results indicate that only the gluteus maximus enthesis (the gluteal tuberosity), falls out of the modern @entity1 range of variation. It displays morphological features that could imply histological differences from modern @entity1 , in particular the presence of fibrocartilage. In both @entity1 and the Krapina @entity4840 , the morphological pattern of this enthesis is the same in adult and immature femurs. These results can be interpreted in light of genetic differences between the two hominins. The possibility of functional adaptations to higher levels of mechanical load during life in the @entity4840 seems less likely. The particular morphology and large dimensions of the Krapina enthesis, and perhaps its fibrocartilaginous nature, could have been selected for in association with other pelvic and lower limb characteristics, even if genetic drift cannot be ruled out.
