This research line examines complementary proxies such as dental wear, enamel morphology, and enamel thickness distribution in order to understand how and when dental morphometric changes occurred within the Neanderthal lineage compared to modern humans, ultimately providing insights into the adaptive mechanisms of these hominins.

Functional anatomy is highly multidisciplinary, relying on anthropology, imaging, and engineering methods. Through the use of 3D dental models, Occlusal Fingerprint Analysis (OFA) is employed to infer dietary preferences, offering environmental context. And, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is used to assess whether dental traits and enamel thickness provided mechanical advantages in response to food properties—such as toughness, abrasiveness, or stiffness—under various biting scenarios.