Biomechanics of Neanderthal anterior dentition

Neanderthals are one of the best documented and well-known species within the genus Homo. Their unique cranio-dental features may have evolved due to genetic drift or natural selection. One hypothesis suggests that frequent/heavy use of their front teeth, both for masticatory and para-masticatory activities, influenced their robust cranio- dental structure. This thesis is the first work examining the biomechanical performance of the Neanderthal anterior dentition morphology by combining macrowear information and finite element analysis. The results indicate that the Neanderthal dental anatomy helped managing stress distribution, enhancing load resistance, in comparison to Homo sapiens.