Objective
The vertebral column and thorax are key anatomical regions in human evolution to understand upright bipedal posture and locomotion in terms of weight transmission, equilibrium, habitual loading and kinematics. Additionally, the vertebral column protects the spinal cord, and the size of the spine canal can offer a glimpse into the neurological basis on which throwing abilities and speech evolved, among others. Finally the study of the size of the thorax due to its relation to lung size and thus to ventilatory capacities can be helpful to assess the bioenergetics of an extinct human species.
The most abundant fossil record of vertebrae and ribs of an extinct hominin is that of Neandertals (Homo neanderthalensis). Evidence points towards differences between the vertebrae and ribs of Neandertals compared to modern humans. They show larger thoraxes and a less sinuous lumbar region, among others. However, the exact shape of the Neandertal torso is still a matter of speculation. Additionally, the loading pattern and equilibrium of a larger chest and its relation to a less curved lumbar region remains obscure, not to mention its potential influence on bipedal gait.
The aim of this project is to study the Neandertal vertebral column and thorax both metrically analyzing the individual vertebrae and ribs, and using modern 3D virtual reconstruction techniques on CT scanning of key Neandertal individuals. The latter will allow a better understanding of the morphology and biomechanics of these regions and significantly contribute to the understanding of Neandertal bioenergetics, a potential factor influencing their extinction. Additionally it will offer the comparative framework in which to analyze the evolution of the vertebral column and thorax of our own species.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences biological sciences biological morphology comparative morphology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine anatomy and morphology
- natural sciences biological sciences biophysics
- social sciences sociology anthropology physical anthropology
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
75005 Paris
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.