Ancient Man from Dmanisi 3444. Cranial Study, Craniofacial Reconstruction

DOI: 10.33876/2311-0546/2022-4/338-351

Abstract

This work is devoted to the study of a skull from Dmanisi locality (Dmanisi D3444/D3900 (Skull 4)), Georgia. The find is represented by a complete skull with a lower jaw. A distinctive feature of the individual is the almost complete absence of teeth in both jaws and significant atrophy of the alveolar processes. The skull was studied using the program of angular morphometry against a wide comparative background of early hominids, including Australopithecus and early Homo and a young individual from the same Dmanisi locality (D2700). The appearance of the individual was evaluated according to the graphic and sculptural facial reconstructions from skulls. The skull has strong well-developed muscular relief, a rather large bizygomatic width and a marked narrowing behind the orbit. Multivariate analysis of a number of craniotrigonometric parameters showed that the skulls of young and old individuals from Dmanisi are quite different and, most likely, they did not belong to a single population. In a number of features, the Dmanisi hominins are similar to the erectoid forms from Africa and to the “Hobbit” from the Flores Island. The appearance on the facial reconstructions is distinguished by a sloping narrow forehead, strongly protruding cheekbones, a long flattened upper lip, and a noticeably protruding nose with a slight hump.