Azokh cave hominin remains

Abstract

Hominin remains have been discovered at Azokh Cave from three different entrance passageways during the early and present phases of excavation. Evidence for three different species of hominin – Homo heidelbergensis, Homo neanderthalensis, and Homo sapiens – has been found at Azokh Cave. A fragment of hominin mandible was found in Azokh 1 in 1968. Previous studies, published in Russian and summarized here, suggest this specimen is most similar to the Ehringsdorf (adult) specimen which may now be considered as an early Neanderthal. An original assessment of a replica of the mandible carried out here indicates the specimen is similar to European Middle Pleistocene hominins, and we assign it tentatively to Homo heidelbergenis. A complete permanent first upper left molar tooth was found higher in the Azokh 1 sequence by the present excavation team. Preliminary description and metric analyses of the tooth indicate the specimen is typical of Neanderthal first upper molars and is most similar to Neanderthal specimens from Krapina, Croatia. A partial skeleton and two teeth of modern Homo sapiens have been found in Azokh 2 by the current excavation team, and evidence suggests death was accidental. Eight modern Homo sapiens teeth, discovered in Azokh 5 and thought to represent a minimum of three individuals (a child, a juvenile and an adolescent), are described here.