Homo erectus Calvarium from the Pleistocene of Java
Hisao Baba,12*
Fachroel Aziz,3
Yousuke Kaifu,1
Gen Suwa,4
Reiko T. Kono,1
Teuku Jacob5
A Homo erectus calvarium [Sambungmacan 4 (Sm
4)] was recovered from Pleistocene sediments at Sambungmacan in
central Java. Micro-computed tomography analysis shows a
modern human-like cranial base flexion associated with a low
platycephalic vault, implying that the evolution of human cranial
globularity was independent of cranial base flexion. The overall
morphology of Sm 4 is intermediate between that of earlier and later
Javanese Homo erectus; apparent morphological
specializations are more strongly expressed in the latter. This
supports the hypothesis that later Pleistocene Javanese populations
were substantially isolated and made minimal contributions to the
ancestry of modern humans.
1 Department of Anthropology, National Science
Museum, Hyakunincho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0073, Japan.
2 Department of Biological Science, The University
of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
3 Laboratory of Vertebrate Paleontology, Geological
Research and Development Centre, Jl. Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia.
4 The University Museum, The University
of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
5 Laboratory of Bio- and Palaeoanthropology, Gadjah
Mada University, Yogyakarta 55002, Indonesia.
*
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
baba{at}kahaku.go.jp
