Endoscopic technology has been used in the cave in previous studies by the candidate to acquire images of these anatomical details. The first objective of the project was to create a digital model of the anatomical structure to put in comparison with those of geographically sorted modern human populations, known for their adaptation to different kinds of climate. The method used for the creation of such a model from the photographic acquisition is photogrammetry. The task to perform was unprecedented since a shape like that of a cavity is difficult to reconstruct faithfully. Meanwhile, the candidate developed an open-access method in the R programming language to semi-automatically perform the virtual extraction of cranial cavities and the calculation of their volume (called Icex), for assessing the contribution to midfacial morphology of the functional regions represented by the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses. In parallel, the candidate had to be trained in methods and disciplines necessary to achieve the following objectives, specifically, methods for biomechanics, such as the Finite Element Analysis, to reconstruct the structures of interest and be able to study mechanic performances like the conditioning of the inspired air. Reconstruction of the soft structures of the nasal cavity and the respiratory performance represented the second objective, which has been delayed by the longer time necessary to obtain a good reconstruction of the bony cavity. The training at the secondment institution at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University College London, though has been, for the fellow, a chance to apply his method of assessment of cranial cavities to modern human samples and investigate the contribution of cranial cavities to the craniofacial growth and development in subadult samples. Such collaboration produced a series of works in major journals which consistently advanced the knowledge of the biomechanics of growth. In addition, with the newly developed method, the fellow could perform a study on the maxillary sinuses in fossil and modern humans, which has been presented at the 2024 meeting of the Palaeoanthropology Association in Los Angeles. These structures represent a problem for morphological analysis of their variable form and the rare completeness in fossil samples. By the use of Icex, observations could finally be done concerning their shape and volume, obtaining interesting results now aimed at the publication. The last objective was to analyse the morphological data of the nasal cavity along with paleoenvironmental proxies, to assess the impact of climate on the morphology. While this is underway for what concerns the simulations of the respiratory performance, it was done for what concerns the nasal cavity morphology. The fellow has used climatic variables to assess whether the morphology of the reconstructed nose for Altamura follows a trend recognisable in modern humans. The paleoclimatic data contributed to the morphological analysis in defining whether the nose of this Neanderthal individual shows evidence to be adapted to the conditions obtained for its geographical area and chronology. The results are now submitted for publication. In sum, N-SPIRE produced seven articles (of which two are currently in submission), eight contributions to scientific meetings with the fellow as the main contributor, and at least seven outreach events.
