The face of Olduvai Hominid 12

Susan C. Antón

doi:10.1016/j.jhevol.2003.12.005

The face of Olduvai Hominid 12

Susan C. Antón

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Facial remains of Homo erectus are rare and their scarcity hinders our understanding of the variability and relationships in this taxon. Previously undescribed fragments of the peri-orbital region and unidentified matches between fragments of Olduvai Hominid 12 (OH 12) enhance comparison of the African H. erectus hypodigm. The newly reconstructed upper face and maxilla of OH 12 is most similar in size and shape to that of KNM-ER 3733, despite being as much as one million years younger than the Koobi Fora hominin. However, the posterior vault and mastoid region of OH 12 are most similar to OH 9. This combination of morphology suggests that the relationship between the Olduvai and Koobi Fora portions of the H. erectus hypodigm requires reconsideration.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	335-345
Number of pages	11
Journal	Journal of Human Evolution
Volume	46
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2003.12.005
State	Published - Mar 2004

Keywords

Homo erectus
Homo ergaster
Interorbital region
Supraorbital torus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Anthropology

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10.1016/j.jhevol.2003.12.005

Cite this

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title = "The face of Olduvai Hominid 12",

abstract = "Facial remains of Homo erectus are rare and their scarcity hinders our understanding of the variability and relationships in this taxon. Previously undescribed fragments of the peri-orbital region and unidentified matches between fragments of Olduvai Hominid 12 (OH 12) enhance comparison of the African H. erectus hypodigm. The newly reconstructed upper face and maxilla of OH 12 is most similar in size and shape to that of KNM-ER 3733, despite being as much as one million years younger than the Koobi Fora hominin. However, the posterior vault and mastoid region of OH 12 are most similar to OH 9. This combination of morphology suggests that the relationship between the Olduvai and Koobi Fora portions of the H. erectus hypodigm requires reconsideration.",

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author = "Ant{\'o}n, {Susan C.}",

note = "Funding Information: I am grateful to Dr. Fidelis Masao for his invaluable assistance in studying the Olduvai hominins in Tanzania and Kenya and to COSTECH, the Department of Antiquities, Tanzania, the National Museums of Tanzania, the National Museums of Kenya (KNM), Mary Muungu, then acting director of Paleontology, and Christopher Kiare of KNM for permits and access to specimens in their care. Mr. J. Ndunda Mbithi, casting director of KNM, A. Katula, and J. Kiptalam molded the new specimens and provided casts. A. Macharia provided comparative cast specimens. Drs. Meave Leakey, Fred Spoor, and C.C. Swisher III provided helpful discussion, and Drs. T. Harrison, B. Wood, and two anonymous reviewers provided essential critical advice. This work was supported indirectly by NSF BCS-9804861 and by the Center for Human Evolutionary Studies, Rutgers University. Copyright: Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.",

year = "2004",

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doi = "10.1016/j.jhevol.2003.12.005",

language = "English (US)",

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N2 - Facial remains of Homo erectus are rare and their scarcity hinders our understanding of the variability and relationships in this taxon. Previously undescribed fragments of the peri-orbital region and unidentified matches between fragments of Olduvai Hominid 12 (OH 12) enhance comparison of the African H. erectus hypodigm. The newly reconstructed upper face and maxilla of OH 12 is most similar in size and shape to that of KNM-ER 3733, despite being as much as one million years younger than the Koobi Fora hominin. However, the posterior vault and mastoid region of OH 12 are most similar to OH 9. This combination of morphology suggests that the relationship between the Olduvai and Koobi Fora portions of the H. erectus hypodigm requires reconsideration.

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The face of Olduvai Hominid 12

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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