Fossil human crania from Yunxian, China: Morphological comparison with Homo erectus crania from Zhoukoudian
Abstract:
Two fossil hominid crania from Yunxian were found in 1989 and 1990 respectively, and were attributed toHomo eretus. For the purpose of examining the “Homo erectus features” in Yunxian crania, comparisons with crania from Zhoukoudian are made in this paper. The features examined include supraobital tori, occipital torus, angle between the occipital and nuchal planes, postorbital constriction, skull breadth conditions, lowness of skull, and frontal flatness and receding. Results show that the “Homo erectus features” are doubtful owing to damage to and distortion of Yunxian crania. Morphologically, the crania from Yunxian are likely ofHomo sapiens.
Published in Human Evolution on the 5th of June, 1997.
DOI: 10.1007/BF02439367
Specimens
- Zhoukoudian XII, a Homo erectus specimen from Zhoukoudian, China.
- EV 9001, a Homo erectus specimen from Yunxian, China.
- EV 9002, a Homo erectus specimen from Yunxian, China.
