Evidence of fatal skeletal injuries on Malapa Hominins 1 and 2.

Ericka N L'Abbé,David E Raymond,James T Pokines,Patrick S Randolph-Quinney,Luis L Cabo,Sharon Kuo,Lee R Berger,Steven A Symes,Kyra E Stull

doi:10.1038/srep15120

Abstract

Malapa is one of the richest early hominin sites in Africa and the discovery site of the hominin species, Australopithecus sediba. The holotype and paratype (Malapa Hominin 1 and 2, or MH1 and MH2, respectively) skeletons are among the most complete in the early hominin record. Dating to approximately two million years BP, MH1 and MH2 are hypothesized to have fallen into a natural pit trap. All fractures evident on MH1 and MH2 skeletons were evaluated and separated based on wet and dry bone fracture morphology/characteristics. Most observed fractures are post-depositional, but those in the right upper limb of the adult hominin strongly indicate active resistance to an impact, while those in the juvenile hominin mandible are consistent with a blow to the face. The presence of skeletal trauma independently supports the falling hypothesis and supplies the first evidence for the manner of death of an australopith in the fossil record that is not attributed to predation or natural death.

Highlights

Hominin specimen relies upon evidence of feeding by a given predatory taxon and the behavior typical of that taxon being the live capture and consumption of prey, instead of scavenging individuals who are already dead. Such interpretation have been applied to the Taung site, where direct predation of the Taung child by a large eagle species is supported with damage to the cranium consistent with talon marks[15,16,17,18,19], but preparation damage may explain some of the defects on the cranium[20]
The current fossil record supports the claims of horizontal access as badly fragmented hominin remains are routinely recovered from these cave systems, and the taphonomic alterations are often attributed to carnivore predation and scavenging[27]
Open vertical shafts serve as natural traps that appear to offer shelter, water and food, but the acquisition of these essential items comes at the risk of an accidental fall[29,30,31]

Summary

Introduction

Hominin specimen relies upon evidence of feeding by a given predatory taxon and the behavior typical of that taxon being the live capture and consumption of prey, instead of scavenging individuals who are already dead Such interpretation have been applied to the Taung site, where direct predation of the Taung child by a large eagle species is supported with damage to the cranium consistent with talon marks[15,16,17,18,19], but preparation damage may explain some of the defects on the cranium[20]. The location of MH1 and MH2 in their final burial location suggests that the hominins entered the cave and died within the same general time period Following their natural burial, the roof of the lower cave chamber collapsed and the cave was subjected to repeated rock falls. The cave filled up with mud and, eventually, other hominin and non-hominin material[1]

Methods

Results

Conclusion