Crown outline analysis of the hominin upper third molar from the Megalopolis Basin, Peloponnese, Greece

Abstract

The left upper third molar from the Megalopolis Basin is enigmatic due to its problematic preservation and context. The Megalopolis molar is the only possible human fossil known to date from the Megalopolis Basin. It was found on the surface during geological surveys in 1962-63. Based on the faunal assemblage collected during the same survey, it was proposed to be of Middle Pleistocene age and possibly one of the oldest human fossils in Europe. However, its actual geological age is unknown. In the past, dental crown outline analysis has been successfully used to differentiate between hominin species and populations. We applied the method to upper third molars, attempting to shed light on the affinities of the Megalopolis specimen. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the crown outline shape grouped the Megalopolis molar with our Homo sapiens sample; however, the PCA in form space, including shape plus size, as well as Procrustes distances based on overall shape, grouped it with our Neanderthal comparative sample. We conclude that its most likely identification is as a member of the Neanderthal lineage. However, we urge further analyses with an increased fossil comparative sample to include representatives of Homo heidelbergensis, which is underrepresented in our study. The Megalopolis molar contributes to the scarce Pleistocene human fossil record of Greece and highlights the potential of the Megalopolis Basin for yielding further paleoanthropological finds.