Comparative morphology and paleobiology of Middle Pleistocene human remains from the Bau de l'Aubesier, Vaucluse, France

The discovery of later Middle Pleistocene human remains from the Bau de I'A ubesier, France reinforces an evolutionary model of the gradual accumulatio n of Neandertal-derived facial and dental features during the Middle Pleist ocene of the northwestern Old World. The pronounced maxillary incisor bevel ing of Aubesier 4 helps to extend the antiquity of nondietary use of the an terior dentition. The interproximal "toothpick" groove on the Aubesier 10 m olar increases the sample for these lesions. The pathological loss of the m andibular dentition of Aubesier 11 indicates advanced antemortem masticator y impairment, at a level previously undocumented before the Late Pleistocen e. These remains support a view of later Middle Pleistocene humans able to support debilitated individuals despite the considerable use of their bodie s to accomplish routine activities.