Morphology
The reference to an archaic version of Homo neanderthalensis also implies the find must show antedating morphological features and so directly recalling typical features of Homo neanderthalensis. Following studies, carried out keeping the find on the discovery site, have verified this aspect of typical Neanderthalians features (morphology of eye-sockets and upper orbit osseous thickening, lack of canine fossa and presence of a clear edge on the maxilla, thickening of the occipital bone, feature of the mastoid process, existence of a retromolar space and profile of the upper margin of the ascending mandible ramus).
Some characteristics match features typical of Homo sapiens, among which in particular the convexity of the occipital bone scale. The interest in the paleoantropologic find "Man of Altamura" lies in numerous factors like the naturalistic majesty of the whole complex shown by the bones in the karstic setting that encased them, setting them together and making them absolutely fix, the completeness of the skeleton and the morphological features quoted.
Read more about this topic: Altamura Man, Characteristics
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