科研之友
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摘要
The domain of anthropology is in flux. New interdisciplinary fields such as Virtual Anthropology (VA) utilize collaborations across borders as well as state-of-the-art technologies such as micro-computed tomography, statistical shape and form analysis, and biomechanical modelling. The meaning of these changes, also with regard to a possibly broadened cooperation with the medical sciences, is discussed. By means of two examples, we describe the benefits of innovation. The first example demonstiates the discovery of the earliest European modern humans (Grotta del Cavallo, similar to 45,000 years) that were erroneously classified as Neanderthals in the 1960s. Two milk teeth were mu-CT scanned and their internal and external structures analysed metrically according to methods of VA. The comparison with recent humans, paleolithic humans, and Neanderthals showed that the Cavallo people were clearly anatomically modern. Because advanced tools were also found in the cave, this result has an impact on the interpretation of the transition of cultures and extinction of Neanderthals. The, second example shows the first realistic simulation of the biomechanics of human molars that uses individual wear patterns for loading scenarios. The Finite Element Analyses of the teeth were done on mu-CT scans of modern material and showed that, if the different phases of mastication and the wear information were integrated, results differ significantly from former simulations. For instance, the occlusal fissures show extremely high tensile stresses. The meaning of this is not yet understood but sounds a note of caution with regard to dental interventions (i.e. fissure fillings).
- 出版日期2013
