Body size, body proportions, and encephalization in a Middle Pleistocene archaic human from northern China
- PMID: 16505378
- PMCID: PMC1450121
- DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0508681103
Body size, body proportions, and encephalization in a Middle Pleistocene archaic human from northern China
- PMID: 16505378
- PMCID: PMC1450121
- DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0508681103
Abstract
The unusual discovery of associated cranial and postcranial elements from a single Middle Pleistocene fossil human allows us to calculate body proportions and relative cranial capacity (encephalization quotient) for that individual rather than rely on estimates based on sample means from unassociated specimens. The individual analyzed here (Jinniushan) from northeastern China at 260,000 years ago is the largest female specimen yet known in the human fossil record and has body proportions (body height relative to body breadth and relative limb length) typical of cold-adapted populations elsewhere in the world. Her encephalization quotient of 4.15 is similar to estimates for late Middle Pleistocene humans that are based on mean body size and mean brain size from unassociated specimens.
Conflict of interest statement
Conflict of interest statement: No conflicts declared.
Figures
Fig. 1.
The cranium, left os coxae,…
Fig. 1.
The cranium, left os coxae, and left ulna of the Jinniushan specimen. Note…
Fig. 2.
The cast of the Jinniushan…
Fig. 2.
The cast of the Jinniushan os coxae in position for measurement of total…
Fig. 3.
The relationship between ulna length…
Fig. 3.
The relationship between ulna length and biiliac breadth in modern humans. Open symbols…
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