No skeletal dysplasia in the nariokotome boy KNM-WT 15000 (homo erectus)—A reassessment of congenital pathologies of the vertebral column

摘要: The Nariokotome boy skeleton KNM-WT 15000 is the most complete Homo erectus fossil and therefore key for understanding human evolution. Nevertheless, since Latimer Ohman (2001) reported on severe congenital pathology in 15000, it questionable whether this can still be used as reference skeletal biology. asserted pathologies include platyspondylic diminutive vertebrae implying a disproportionately short stature; spina bifida; condylus tertius; spinal stenosis; scoliosis. Based symptom complex, differential diagnosis of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda, an extremely rare form dysplasia, has been proposed. Yet, our reanalysis these shows that shape matches normal modern adolescents. are not abnormally flat, show no endplate irregularities, thus platyspondylic. As hallmark tarda related forms absence platyspondyly refutes axial disproportionate dwarfism. Furthermore, we neither found evidence bifida occulta nor manifesta, whereas tertius, developmental anomaly cranial base, to dysplasias. Other fossils indicate relatively small size narrow canal characteristics early hominins rather than pathologies. Except recently described signs traumatic lumbar disc herniation, seems belong youth without skeleton.