Javanese Fossil Skull Provides New Insights into Ancient Humans

Scientific American ^ | 28 February 2002 | Sarah Graham

[PatrickHenry]

A routine construction dig has turned up a fossil skull that is giving scientists a better glimpse inside the head of our ancient predecessor, Homo erectus. According to a report published today in the journal Science, the find suggests that the H. erectus population that occupied the island of Java was isolated from other Asian populations and probably made only minimal genetic contributions to the ancestry of modern humans.

So far, more than 20 hominid skull fossils have been found at sites in Java. The latest, dubbed Sm 4 (see image), was recovered from the bed of the Solo River in central Java and is one of the largest yet discovered on the island. Hisao Baba of the University of Tokyo and his colleagues analyzed the skull, comparing it to previously discovered specimens. They found that Sm 4 shares certain characteristics, such as a flat top, with skulls dating to more than a million years ago. But Sm 4 also exhibits similarities to much younger fossils from Eastern Java--the shape of a nerve opening near the temple, for example. The researchers thus conclude that Sm 4 is an intermediary between earlier and later Javanese H. erectus. This suggests that the species lived on the island continuously for more than a million years, contrary to the hypothesis that distinct, consecutive migrations to the area occurred.

Sm 4 also presents the best look yet at a particular feature of H. erectus's head known as the cranial base, a bony shelf behind the eyes that helps support the brain. Using computer imaging to probe the skull's interior, the team found that its cranial base is surprisingly modern in being sharply angled, or flexed. This, the researchers note, suggests that the larger brains of modern humans evolved independent of changes to the support on which they rest.

[PatrickHenry]

Another day, another fossil.

[This ping list is for the evolution -- not creationism -- side of evolution threads, and sometimes for other science topics. To be added (or dropped), let me know via freepmail.]

[Oldeconomybuyer]

"AG 4 also presents the best look yet at a particular feature of AG. erectus's head known as the cranial base, a bony shelf behind the eyes that helps support the brain and lockbox."

[Dataman]

, the team found that its cranial base is surprisingly modern

Surprisingly? I guess that old reliable evo prediction algorithm failed again.

[Godebert]

[Junior]

Once more, you read but do not comprehend. It's surprising because this particular branch of H. Erectus is not a direct ancestor of modern humans, yet it includes a feature found in modern humans.

[Saturnalia]

Any bets on how many posts until this topic is exiled?

[f.Christian]

Welcome!
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Liberal tap root --- weed ---evolution !

[f.Christian]

"The buzz is, a new substratum of Democrat has evolved."

"It is liberal, deviant, and incredibly boring."

"It is called a Cuomo (( fr thread // link )) -sexual."

[f.Christian]

The 2nd law of thermodynamics ... evolution // liberalism === decadence (( entropy // anarchy // chaos)) !

[js1138]

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[AndrewC]

It's surprising because this particular branch of H. Erectus is not a direct ancestor of modern humans, yet it includes a feature found in modern humans.

You don't see the irony in that?

[general_re]

You don't see the irony in that?

In convergence? Is it ironic that both you and a housecat have about a 140-degree binocular overlap in your visual fields, giving the cat depth perception and stereoscopic vision as good as any human's? Cat's not your direct ancestor either...

[AndrewC]

Is it ironic that both you and a housecat have about a 140-degree binocular overlap in your visual fields, giving the cat depth perception and stereoscopic vision as good as any human's? Cat's not your direct ancestor either...

But I am not the one who relies on similarities to establish a direct relationship.

[general_re]

But I am not the one who relies on similarities to establish a direct relationship.

"Uses", not "relies on" - other evidence is also available for consideration. Woodpeckers, fruit bats, and houseflies all have wings, but I doubt you'll find anyone positing a direct relationship between any two of them.

[stanz]

Thanks for the ping. From now on, I print hard copies of the article only so I don't have to read some of the idiocy which follows.

[Junior]

No irony. Simply convergent evolution. Methinks you read into this something which is not there.

[AndrewC]

but I doubt you'll find anyone positing a direct relationship between any two of them.

No because we can see the actual relationships, which do not require just-so inference.

[blam]

Related to Australias Mungo Man?

[AndrewC]

No irony. Simply convergent evolution.

In contrast to divergent evolution.