http://popups.lib.uliege.be/3041-5527/index.php?id=5763 Entrées d’index fr 0 http://popups.lib.uliege.be/3041-5527/index.php?id=6054 In the penultimate interglacial (Holstein complex) forms existed with erectoid features (finds from Bilzingsleben, Arago and Vértesszöllös) along with those already bearing typical sapiens-like characteristics (Swanscombe and Steinheim). In the following glacial period (Saale complex) these differences can be traced to new combinations. The skull from Petralona is characterized by erectoid (neurocranium) and typical sapiens-like features (splanchnocranium and endocranium). The finds from Weimar-Ehringsdorf have been distinctly developed in the direction to early Homo sapiens. In the finds from Gánovce, Gibraltar and Krapina the base for the development of the Neandertal man during the last glacial can be considered. At the beginning of the last glacial (Weichselian) only sapiens-like forms such as the classical Neandertals in West Europe, forms to transitional Neandertals and finds of modern sapiens type existed, e.g. Šala, Ochoz, Kůlna, Šipka, Subalyuk. Chronologically and morphologically, the Central European finds correspond to the types from Near East (Amud, Galilea, Skhul, Kafzeh). Since the middle phase of the last glacial (Weichselian) only modern forms of Homo sapiens have existed : Crô-Magnon, Brno or Combe-Capelle type and Dolní Věstonice. Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:06:17 +0100 Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:06:25 +0100 http://popups.lib.uliege.be/3041-5527/index.php?id=6054 http://popups.lib.uliege.be/3041-5527/index.php?id=6051 Biorhythms are present in all organic life and probably evolve very slowly. The suggestion is made in this paper that there has probably not been much change in the biorhythms of Paleolithic Man and modern peoples. Therefore, through an understanding of the biorhythms of modern peoples, we can extrapolate that similar patterns would have been present in earlier members of Homo sapiens. This provides us with new possibilities in reconstructing the behavioral patterns of our near ancestors. In addition, the biological similarity between Paleolithic peoples and modern peoples would lead us to search for some of the causes of modern illnesses in disrupted biorhythmical patterns that have come about relatively recently in our evolutionary history, because of overwhelmingly large changes in our everyday environment. Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:00:07 +0100 Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:00:13 +0100 http://popups.lib.uliege.be/3041-5527/index.php?id=6051 http://popups.lib.uliege.be/3041-5527/index.php?id=5755 La controverse sur la signification fonctionnelle de la région sus-orbitaire des primates remonte au siècle dernier. Son importance réside dans la signification phylogénétique d'un torus sus-orbitaire développé chez les hommes fossiles, notamment en ce qui concerne les relations de parenté entre les hommes de Neandertal et les hommes modernes. Deux modèles et deux hypothèses s'affrontent. Le modèle biomécanique assimile la présence de bourrelets sus-orbitaires saillants à une structure du massif facial qui absorbe les contraintes produites par les actions du système masticateur. Le fort développement de la région sus-orbitaire apparaît comme une adaptation biomécanique du squelette craniofacial et répond à des facteurs épigénétiques. Dans cette hypothèse, il est possible d'envisager une transition entre les Néandertaliens et les hommes modernes. L'autre modèle, le modèle spatial, relie le développement de la région sus- orbitaire aux relations topographiques entre le cerveau et les orbites. Dans cette hypothèse, la morphologie de cette région résulte d'un déterminisme génétique important, impliquant probablement des processus ontogénétiques différents, ce qui écarte les Néandertaliens de la lignée conduisant à l'homme moderne. Nous avons testé l'hypothèse biomécanique à travers une expérimentation in vivo (Hylander, Picq et Johnson, 1991a, 1991b). Pour ce faire, nous avons mesuré et analysé les déformations que subit la région sus-orbitaire des macaques (Macaca fascicularis) et des babouins (Papio anubis) à l'aide de micro-rosettes de déformation. Les intensités des déformations pour l'incision et la mastication de nourritures aux propriétés physiques et géométriques différentes sont très faibles. Leurs intensités maximales ne dépassent pas 700 µE (microdéformations), ce qui est très faible comparé aux autres régions de la face (os malaire, différentes parties de la mandibule). D'autre part, les intensités des déformations apparaissent peu affectées par le type d'action (incision ou mastication unilatérale), la taille (dimorphisme sexuel, espèces différentes) ou les proportions du squelette craniofacial (prognathisme, orthognathisme). Nos résultats réfutent le modèle biomécanique et contribuent à rejeter l'hypothèse hypogénétique favorisant une transition entre les Néandertaliens et les hommes modernes. Plus largement, les changements affectant la morphologie de l'os frontal des hommes fossiles impliquent des combinaisons génétiques et des processus ontogénétiques qui modifient les relations spatiales entre la boîte crânienne et la face. The long controversy over the functional significance of browridges goes back to the 19th century. Its importance lies in the phylogenetic significance of developed browridges among fossil hominids, especially regarding the relationships between Neandertals and modern humans. We recognize two principal competing models to explain browridge development, each with their respective phylogenetic hypotheses. According to the biomechanical model, prominent browridges represent a mechanical structure of the facial mass which absorbs strains produced by various actions of the masticatory apparatus. Strong development of the supraorbital region is seen as a biomechanical adaptation of the craniofacial skeleton and a response to epigenetic factors. According to this hypothesis, it is possible to envisage a transition between Neandertals and modern humans, dependent upon modification of the epigenetic environment. The other model, the so-called spatial model, links the development of the supraorbital region to topographical relations between the forebrain and the orbits. According to this hypothesis, browridge development results from a major genetic determinant, probably involving different ontogenetic processes, which separates Neandertals from the branch leading to modern man. We have tested the biomechanical model through an in vivo strain gage experiment (Hylander, Picq and Johnson, 1991a, 1991b). This was done in measuring and analyzing masticatory strains over the supraorbital region of macaques (Macaca fascicularis) and baboons (Papio anubis) using rosette strain gages. Overall, the strain magnitudes for incising, chewing and biting on different food items, presenting various physical and geometrical properties, remained very modest. The maximal intensities recorded did not exceed 700 μE (microstrains) and were considerably lower than in other parts of the facial skeleton (zygoma, infraorbital plate, mandibular corpus and symphysis). Moreover, the overall strain magnitudes were little affected by the type of masticatory action (incision, unilateral mastication), individual size (sexual dimorphism, different species) or craniofacial proportions (prognathism, orthognathism). Our results refute the biomechanical model and contribute to rejecting the epigenetic hypothesis favouring a transition between Neandertals and modern humans. In a wider sense, evolutionary changes affecting the supraorbital morphology of fossil hominids may involve both genetic recombinations and alteration of ontogenetic processes that modify spatial relationships between the braincase and the face. Thu, 11 Dec 2025 14:50:23 +0100 Thu, 11 Dec 2025 14:50:32 +0100 http://popups.lib.uliege.be/3041-5527/index.php?id=5755