Description, new reconstruction, comparative anatomy, and classification of the Sterkfontein Stw 53 cranium, with discussions about the taxonomy of other southern African early Homo remains
Darren Curnoe a,b,*, Phillip V. Tobias b
Journal of human evolution:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2005.07.008Abstract
Specimen Stw 53 was recovered in 1976 from Member 5 of the Sterkfontein Formation. Since its incomplete initial description and comparison,
the partial cranium has figured prominently in discussions about the systematics of early Homo. Despite publication of a preliminary
reconstruction in 1985, Stw 53 has yet to be compared comprehensively to other Plio-Pleistocene fossils or assessed systematically. In this paper,
we report on a new reconstruction of this specimen and provide a detailed description and comparison of its morphology. Our reconstruction
differs in important respects from the earlier one, especially in terms of neurocranial length, breadth, and height. However, given that Stw
53 exhibits extensive damage, these dimensions are most likely prone to much error in reconstruction. In areas of well-preserved bone, Stw
53 shares many cranial features with Homo habilis, and we propose retaining it within this species.
We also consider the affinities of dental remains from Sterkfontein Member 5, along with those from Swartkrans and Drimolen previously
assigned to Homo. We find evidence for sympatry of H. habilis and Australopithecus robustus and possibly Plio-Pleistocene Homo sapiens sensu
lato in Sterkfontein Member 5. At Swartkrans and Drimolen, we find evidence of H. habilis. We also compare the morphologies of Stw 53 and
SK 847 and find compelling evidence to assign the latter specimen to H. habilis, as has been proposed.
2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
