Papers by Alejandro Romero
Dental Anthropology Journal
Excavations at Plaza del Castillo in Pamplona (northern Spain) revealed a large Islamic necropoli... more Excavations at Plaza del Castillo in Pamplona (northern Spain) revealed a large Islamic necropolis dating to the eighth century A.D., including the skeleton of an adult female showing intentional dental modification (PLA-159). While the practice of dental decoration was virtually absent in Medieval Spain, it is common in Africa and suggests that this individual was born in Africa and brought to Spain later in life. The historically documented occupation of Pamplona by Muslim groups from northern Africa between ca. 715 and 799 A.D. also supports an African origin. As an additional line of evidence, we investigated the geographic origins of two individuals from the cemetery, including PLA-159, via radiogenic strontium and stable oxygen isotope analyses on enamel hydroxyapatite. The human isotopic signatures were measured following established methodologies and compared to the local geochemical composition and modern precipitation values. The data analysis showed a non-local isotopic s...
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PloS one, 2017
Analyses of dental micro- and macro-wear offer valuable information about dietary adaptations. Th... more Analyses of dental micro- and macro-wear offer valuable information about dietary adaptations. The buccal surface of the teeth does not undergo attrition, indicating that dental microwear may directly inform about food properties. Only a few studies have, however, investigated the environmental and individual factors involved in the formation of such microwear in wild animals. Here, we examine variation of buccal microwear patterns of mandibular molars in a large free-ranging population of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx). We first explore the influence of seasonality and individual's sex, age and tooth macrowear-expressed as the percent of dentine exposure (PDE)-on six microwear variables. Second, we analyze the interplay between individual's diet and PDE. In a last analysis, we revisit our results on mandrills in the light of other primate's microwear studies. We show that the average buccal scratch length and the frequency of vertical buccal scratches are both higher dur...
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American journal of physical anthropology, Jan 9, 2017
Dental microwear is a promising tool to reconstruct animals' diet because it reflects the int... more Dental microwear is a promising tool to reconstruct animals' diet because it reflects the interplay between the enamel surface and the food items recently consumed. This study examines the sources of inter-individual variations in dietary habits in a free-ranging population of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) using a combination of feeding monitoring and in vivo dental microwear textural analysis (DMTA). We investigated the impact of seasonality and individual traits on four DMTA parameters. In parallel, we further studied the influence of the physical properties of the food items consumed on these four parameters, using three proxies (mechanical properties, estimates of phytolith and external grit contents). We found that seasonality, age, and sex all impact DMTA parameters but those results differ depending on the facet analyzed (crushing vs. shearing facets). Three DMTA parameters (anisotropy, complexity, and heterogeneity of complexity) appear sensitive to seasonal variations a...
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Revista Internacional de Andrología, 2017
Assess changes in sialic acid distribution during capacitation and acrosome reaction processes, a... more Assess changes in sialic acid distribution during capacitation and acrosome reaction processes, and evaluate head sperm morphometrics modifications in these physiological conditions in human sperm. In this prospective study, we included 6 normozoospermics sperm samples. Sialic acid distribution was evaluated by Wheat germ agglutinin lectin in different physiological conditions: before, after capacitation and after acrosome reaction. Head shape and size of each stage were analyzed by means of geometric morphometric methods. After capacitation, 73.07±21.43% of sperm showed sialic acid in acrosomal region, linked with an acrosome expansion and equatorial segment contraction. Otherwise, after acrosome reaction higher allometric effect between stages was recorded since sperm undergo further expansion of equatorial segment. Regarding Wheat germ agglutinin location, we found that sperm percentage significant decline in acrosomal fluorescence and an increase of equatorial band labeling. Our findings demonstrate that modifications in Wheat germ agglutinin expression covariate with dramatic changes in sperm head morphometry, suggesting important implications in capacitation and acrosome reaction processes.
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PLoS ONE, 2014
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Revista Argentina de …, 2011
RESUMEN Los análisis de Fourier permiten caracterizar el contorno del diente a partir de un númer... more RESUMEN Los análisis de Fourier permiten caracterizar el contorno del diente a partir de un número determinado de puntos y extraer una serie de parámetros para un posterior análisis multivariante. No obstante, la gran complejidad que presentan algunas ...
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PLoS ONE, 2014
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Aliaga-Martínez A, Romero A, Galbany J, Hernández-Aguilar A & Pérez-Pérez A (accepted) Buccal den... more Aliaga-Martínez A, Romero A, Galbany J, Hernández-Aguilar A & Pérez-Pérez A (accepted) Buccal dental microwear texture and catarrhine diets. American Journal of Physical Anthropology. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.23219
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Hominin dietary specialization is crucial to understanding the evolutionary changes of craniofaci... more Hominin dietary specialization is crucial to understanding the evolutionary changes of craniofacial biomechanics and the interaction of food processing methods' effects on teeth. However, the diet-related dental wear processes of the earliest European hominins remain unknown because most of the academic attention has focused on Neandertals. Non-occlusal dental microwear provides direct evidence of the effect of chewed food particles on tooth enamel surfaces and reflects dietary signals over time. Here, we report for the first time the direct effect of dietary abrasiveness as evidenced by the buccal microwear patterns on the teeth of the Sima del Elefante-TE9 and Gran Dolina-TD6 Atapuerca hominins (1.2–0.8 million years ago − Myr) as compared with other Lower and Middle Pleistocene populations. A unique buccal microwear pattern that is found in Homo antecessor (0.96–0.8 Myr), a well-known cannibal species, indicates dietary practices that are consistent with the consumption of hard and brittle foods. Our findings confirm that the oldest European inhabitants ingested more mechanically-demanding diets than later populations because they were confronted with harsh, fluctuating environmental conditions. Furthermore, the influence of grit-laden food suggests that a high-quality meat diet from butchering processes could have fueled evolutionary changes in brain size. The dietary strategies of the European Lower Pleistocene hominins from Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain) have been inferred solely from faunal assemblages that were found in the same levels where the human remains were unearthed. The TE9 Unit at the Sima del Elefante site (1.2 Myr) has yielded a broad range of medium and large-sized mammals and even tortoises that show anthropogenic modifications, which indicate that they were part of the hominin diet 1,2. Moreover, the TD6 level at the Gran Dolina site (0.8–0.96 Myr) has provided evidence not only of hunted and scavenged mammals 3 but also of butchered and eaten human remains, which is the most ancient evidence of human cannibalism 4. However, the feeding habits of these hominins have not been inferred from a wide range of sources of information similar to the Middle Pleistocene European populations. Dental wear 5,6 and isotopic signals 7 have provided valuable information of Middle Pleistocene species. The isotopic signals are indicative of mainly carnivorous dietary regimens for Neandertal populations. However, carnivorous regimens contrast with the buccal dental microwear analyses that show dietary habits that include significant amounts of abrasive plant foods that cause highly abrasive loads on enamel surfaces compared with modern hunter-gatherer populations 8,9. Because of these contradictory interpretations and because most of the academic attention 5 has focused on Neandertals, an independent and comprehensive reconstruction of dietary ecology in Lower Paleolithic European hominins is necessary. We therefore apply a novel approach that is based on buccal
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Ethnographic studies indicate that Eskimo foragers are characterized by well-defined sexual divis... more Ethnographic studies indicate that Eskimo foragers are characterized by well-defined sexual division of labor
and extensive use of anterior teeth as a tool, resulting in higher degrees of wear. However, little is known about the intrapopulation
variation in molar-macrowear rates and dietary implications. Here, percentages of dentin exposure (PDE) were
recorded on first mandibular molars among Tigara foragers from Point Hope (Alaska) and attempt to correlate age and sex
variation in wear patterns. We found that no overall sex-related differences in PDE exist and suggest that molars did not
take a part in para-masticatory or cultural practices. Strong correlation with increasing age was found as expected but males
wore their teeth at higher rates than females related to masticatory demands during growth. Our findings suggest that individual
variation in molar-macrowear must be attributed to biomechanics of chewing and cultural behavior rather than
sexual variation in food acquisition.
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Stable isotope and dental-microwear analysis are methods commonly used to reconstruct dietary hab... more Stable isotope and dental-microwear analysis are methods commonly used to reconstruct dietary habits in modern and ancient human populations. However, it is rare that they are both used together in the same study, and here both methods are combined to obtain information on human dietary habits from the site of Tossal de les Basses (Alicante, Spain) through time. Middle Neolithic, Late Roman and Medieval (Islamic) individuals have been analyzed for carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of bone collagen, as well as for buccal-dental microwear. Overall, δ 13 C and δ 15 N isotopic values show that for all periods the diet was mainly based on C 3 terrestrial resources. However, the isotopic signature suggests a small, but clear amount of marine protein consumption during the Neolithic period and possibly also for a few individuals from the Medieval period. When compared to other studies from the region, it is also possible to see that the consumption of C 4 resources was much more extensive during Medieval times than in previous periods. Microwear scratch density and length found for teeth from the Neolithic and Medieval periods reflect a diet in which tough foods predominated, requiring substantial pressure to chew in comparison with what was recorded for the Roman individuals. Combined with the δ 15 N data, the microwear signature suggests a higher input of marine/gritty resources among the Neolithic and Medieval populations compared to the Romans. Our findings also suggest that dietary patterns might be explained by cultural and technological population factors rather than habitat resource availability.
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Resumen
En las excavaciones arqueológicas realizadas en la Plaza del Castillo (Pamplona, Navarra ... more Resumen
En las excavaciones arqueológicas realizadas en la Plaza del Castillo (Pamplona, Navarra ), se identificó un conjunto
funerario con ritual islámico de más de 100 individuos estando representados ambos sexos y todas las edades.
La ocupación islámica de Pamplona se desarrolló a la largo del siglo Vlll dC, iniciándose en el siglo IX dC la
monarquía cristiana. Se ha realizado la datación por AMS de uno de los individuos de la necrópolis. confirmando
el siglo VIII de como momento de uso de la maqbara. Para este trabajo se han analizado macroscópicamente y
por microscopía electrónica cinco dientes con signo s de mutilación intencional del esqueleto de una mujer adulta
(PZC-O159). Se discute el posible origen tipológico y técnica empleada de las mutilaciones a través de paralelos
con otras poblaciones.
Pal abras clave
diente, mutilación. microscopía electrónica. Pamplona. Islámico.
Tooth mutilation found in an islamic site (VIII' century ad) from Pamplona (Navarra)
Abstract
Excavations from Plaza del Castillo (Pamplona, Navarra) found more than 100 islam ie human remains of both
scxes and range of age . The Islamic invasion of Pamplona is historically documented during Vlll'" century AD
and the Christian monarchy during IX" century AD. An AMS bone datation confirms maqbara use at the VIII"
century AD. This paper reports a macro - and scanning microscopy analysis applied to five anterior teeth with signs
of intentional mutilation of an adult female (PZC-O159). Types of modifications and their technical methods are
discussed between PZC site and those from other regions.
Key words
tooth, mutilation, Scanning Microscopy, Pamplona, Islamic.
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American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 2015
Ecological factors have a dramatic effect on tooth wear in primates, although it remains unclear ... more Ecological factors have a dramatic effect on tooth wear in primates, although it remains unclear how individual age contributes to functional crown morphology. The aim of this study is to determine how age and individual diet are related to tooth wear in wild mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) from Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. We calculated the percent of dentine exposure (PDE) for all permanent molars (M1-M3) of known-age mountain gorillas (N = 23), to test whether PDE varied with age using regression analysis. For each molar position, we also performed stepwise multiple linear regression to test the effects of age and percentage of time spent feeding on different food categories on PDE, for individuals subject to long-term observational studies by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International's Karisoke Research Center. PDE increased significantly with age for both sexes in all molars. Moreover, a significant effect of gritty plant root consumption on PDE was found among individuals. Our results support prior reports indicating reduced tooth wear in mountain gorillas compared to western gorillas, and compared to other known-aged samples of primate taxa from forest and savanna habitats. Our findings corroborate that mountain gorillas present very low molar wear, and support the hypothesis that age and the consumption of particular food types, namely roots, are significant determinants of tooth wear variation in mountain gorillas. Future research should characterize the mineral composition of the soil in the Virunga habitat, to test the hypothesis that the physical and abrasive properties of gritty foods such as roots influence intra- and interspecific patterns of tooth wear. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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HOMO - Journal of Comparative Human Biology, 2015
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Plos One, 2013
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Scanning Electron Microscopy for the Life Sciences, 2012
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Anthropological Review, 2000
Infants are thought to present a different buccal microwear pattern than adults and these, theref... more Infants are thought to present a different buccal microwear pattern than adults and these, therefore, are generally analyzed separately. However, El-Zaatari & Hublin [2009] showed that occlusal texture in Neandertal and modern human juvenile populations did not differ ...
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Revista española de …, 2010
... Cambiar idioma Idioma Català Cambiar. | Ayuda. Origen y evolución de los dientes: de los cord... more ... Cambiar idioma Idioma Català Cambiar. | Ayuda. Origen y evolución de los dientes: de los cordados primitivos a los humanos modernos. ...
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Papers by Alejandro Romero
and extensive use of anterior teeth as a tool, resulting in higher degrees of wear. However, little is known about the intrapopulation
variation in molar-macrowear rates and dietary implications. Here, percentages of dentin exposure (PDE) were
recorded on first mandibular molars among Tigara foragers from Point Hope (Alaska) and attempt to correlate age and sex
variation in wear patterns. We found that no overall sex-related differences in PDE exist and suggest that molars did not
take a part in para-masticatory or cultural practices. Strong correlation with increasing age was found as expected but males
wore their teeth at higher rates than females related to masticatory demands during growth. Our findings suggest that individual
variation in molar-macrowear must be attributed to biomechanics of chewing and cultural behavior rather than
sexual variation in food acquisition.
En las excavaciones arqueológicas realizadas en la Plaza del Castillo (Pamplona, Navarra ), se identificó un conjunto
funerario con ritual islámico de más de 100 individuos estando representados ambos sexos y todas las edades.
La ocupación islámica de Pamplona se desarrolló a la largo del siglo Vlll dC, iniciándose en el siglo IX dC la
monarquía cristiana. Se ha realizado la datación por AMS de uno de los individuos de la necrópolis. confirmando
el siglo VIII de como momento de uso de la maqbara. Para este trabajo se han analizado macroscópicamente y
por microscopía electrónica cinco dientes con signo s de mutilación intencional del esqueleto de una mujer adulta
(PZC-O159). Se discute el posible origen tipológico y técnica empleada de las mutilaciones a través de paralelos
con otras poblaciones.
Pal abras clave
diente, mutilación. microscopía electrónica. Pamplona. Islámico.
Tooth mutilation found in an islamic site (VIII' century ad) from Pamplona (Navarra)
Abstract
Excavations from Plaza del Castillo (Pamplona, Navarra) found more than 100 islam ie human remains of both
scxes and range of age . The Islamic invasion of Pamplona is historically documented during Vlll'" century AD
and the Christian monarchy during IX" century AD. An AMS bone datation confirms maqbara use at the VIII"
century AD. This paper reports a macro - and scanning microscopy analysis applied to five anterior teeth with signs
of intentional mutilation of an adult female (PZC-O159). Types of modifications and their technical methods are
discussed between PZC site and those from other regions.
Key words
tooth, mutilation, Scanning Microscopy, Pamplona, Islamic.
and extensive use of anterior teeth as a tool, resulting in higher degrees of wear. However, little is known about the intrapopulation
variation in molar-macrowear rates and dietary implications. Here, percentages of dentin exposure (PDE) were
recorded on first mandibular molars among Tigara foragers from Point Hope (Alaska) and attempt to correlate age and sex
variation in wear patterns. We found that no overall sex-related differences in PDE exist and suggest that molars did not
take a part in para-masticatory or cultural practices. Strong correlation with increasing age was found as expected but males
wore their teeth at higher rates than females related to masticatory demands during growth. Our findings suggest that individual
variation in molar-macrowear must be attributed to biomechanics of chewing and cultural behavior rather than
sexual variation in food acquisition.
En las excavaciones arqueológicas realizadas en la Plaza del Castillo (Pamplona, Navarra ), se identificó un conjunto
funerario con ritual islámico de más de 100 individuos estando representados ambos sexos y todas las edades.
La ocupación islámica de Pamplona se desarrolló a la largo del siglo Vlll dC, iniciándose en el siglo IX dC la
monarquía cristiana. Se ha realizado la datación por AMS de uno de los individuos de la necrópolis. confirmando
el siglo VIII de como momento de uso de la maqbara. Para este trabajo se han analizado macroscópicamente y
por microscopía electrónica cinco dientes con signo s de mutilación intencional del esqueleto de una mujer adulta
(PZC-O159). Se discute el posible origen tipológico y técnica empleada de las mutilaciones a través de paralelos
con otras poblaciones.
Pal abras clave
diente, mutilación. microscopía electrónica. Pamplona. Islámico.
Tooth mutilation found in an islamic site (VIII' century ad) from Pamplona (Navarra)
Abstract
Excavations from Plaza del Castillo (Pamplona, Navarra) found more than 100 islam ie human remains of both
scxes and range of age . The Islamic invasion of Pamplona is historically documented during Vlll'" century AD
and the Christian monarchy during IX" century AD. An AMS bone datation confirms maqbara use at the VIII"
century AD. This paper reports a macro - and scanning microscopy analysis applied to five anterior teeth with signs
of intentional mutilation of an adult female (PZC-O159). Types of modifications and their technical methods are
discussed between PZC site and those from other regions.
Key words
tooth, mutilation, Scanning Microscopy, Pamplona, Islamic.