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Anterior sphenoid in modern humans

Author

Listed:
  • Fred Spoor

    (University College London)

  • Paul O'Higgins

    (University College London)

  • Christopher Dean

    (University College London)

  • Daniel E. Lieberman

    (George Washington University)

Abstract

Lieberman has proposed1 that reduced midfacial projection (MFP), in which most of the face lies beneath the neurocranium, is a major unique, derived character of anatomically modern Homo sapiens, and that this reduction is largely a consequence of reduced anterior sphenoid length (ASL). Lieberman's conclusions were based on comparisons of a small sample of archaic Homocrania with those of Holocene and Pleistocene anatomically modern H. sapiens. We have made new measurements of ASL and MFP, and find that ASL was incorrectly estimated in those archaic fossil crania in which these landmarks are unambiguously preserved. It turns out that the anterior sphenoid in modern humans is no shorter than in archaic Homo.

Suggested Citation

  • Fred Spoor & Paul O'Higgins & Christopher Dean & Daniel E. Lieberman, 1999. "Anterior sphenoid in modern humans," Nature, Nature, vol. 397(6720), pages 572-572, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:397:y:1999:i:6720:d:10.1038_17505
    DOI: 10.1038/17505
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