Analysis of Surface Traits of a Human Skull Fossil from Yahuai Cave (~16,000 years BP) in Long’an, Guangxi, South China

Yiying Chen1*, Guangmao Xie2,3, Xiujie Wu4, and Christopher J. Bae1

The analysis of a recently discovered nearly complete human skull in Yahuai Cave (YH1), located in Long’an, Guangxi, China, that dates to ~16 ka, offers new insights into the health, living conditions and possibly social dynamics of this individual. Based on morphological analyses, the individual is a middle-aged female (30-40 years old). Using a combination of techniques including gross observation, stereomicroscope, and high-precision CT scanning and 3D reconstruction, we assess the traits on the skull of YH1. Initial findings indicate several noteworthy features of the skull. Except for post-mortem fractures, there are potential cutmarks, carnivore toothmarks, and pathologies on the skull. Moreover, the paleopathological analysis reveals the health condition of the individual. Two minor lesions are observed on the frontal bone, which may be the result of inflammation and/or small trauma. There is also evidence of mastoiditis and severe periodontal disease. YH1 suffered from apical cysts and severe alveolar atrophy that inevitably impacted her ability to consume food, yet few signs of malnutrition were observed. It indicates that food was processed to make it easier for YH1 to consume. These observations, on the one hand, indicate the survival pressure this individual faced, which may have impacted her life quality and longevity; on the other hand, it sheds light on behavioural studies, such as subsistence, food processing, and human-animal interactions of Late Pleistocene hunter-gatherers in South China.