On the phylogenetic position of the pre-Neandertal specimen from Reilingen, Germany.
This paper describes the morphology and phylogenetic significance of a well-preserved fossil human cranium found near Reilingen, Germany in 1978. The specimen consists of two complete parietals, most of the right temporal, and 70% of the occipital. The specimen displays several features characteristic of early "archaic" Homo sapiens: maximum breadth at the supramastoid crests, roughly pentagonal occipital view, an angular torus, superoinferiorly elongate/ anteroposterior shortened squamous temporal, strong mastoid, and separation of the tympanic and mastoid temporal portions. Other features align the Reilingen cranium with the "classic" Neandertals: developed suprainiac fossa, bilaterally protuberant occipital torus, strong juxtamastoid eminence, a highly convex occipital plane, and lambdoid flattening. This morphology and our cephalometric analysis support the assignment of this specimen to a Stage 2 "pre-Neandertal" group (e.g., Steinheim, Swanscombe, and Atapuerca [SH site]). Following an "Accretion Model" of European hominid evolution, Stage 2 succeeds Stage 1 European "early-pre-Neandertals" (e.g., Mauer and Petralona), and precedes both the Saale-Eem Stage 3 "early Neandertals" (e.g., Biache 1), which present greater platycephaly, a reduced mastoid process, an enlarged juxtamastoid eminence, and true "en-bombe" (parieto-occipital form), and Weichsel Stage 4 "Neandertals" (sensu stricto, i.e., "classic" Neandertals).
Dean
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Department of Neurological Surgery, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA. dxd35@po.cwru.edu
Hublin
J J
JJ
Holloway
R
R
Ziegler
R
R
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002508:Cephalometry; D005858:Germany; D015186:Hominidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification*; D006801:Humans; D008578:Meninges / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010802:Phylogeny; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000033:anatomy & histology