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The skull from Florisbad: a paleoneurological report.

Authors: Bruner, Emiliano; Lombard, Marlize;

The skull from Florisbad: a paleoneurological report.

Abstract

The Florisbad fossil cranium was found in South Africa in 1932. Different authors proposed a taxonomic affinity with early Homo sapiens, Neandertals or late Homo heidelbergensis. Here, we review its neurocranial morphology, to supply an updated perspective on its paleoneurological features. The curvature of the frontal squama is definitely within modern human variation, although the anterior cranial fossa is very broad, comparable to that of the Neandertals. In contrast, the parietal lobe and the vascular networks are more similar to the morphology observed in more archaic human species, such as Homo heidelbergensis. The endocranial anatomy of the Florisbad skull displays a mosaic of derived and plesiomorphic features, which makes this fossil compatible with distinct phylogenetic scenarios. None of these traits are, however, strictly diagnostic in terms of taxonomy. This specimen is central to the question on the possible anagenetic evolution from Homo heidelbergensis sensu lato to modern humans.

Keywords

South Africa, Cephalometry, Fossils, Skull, Animals, Humans, Paleontology, Hominidae, Biological Evolution, Neanderthals

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
1
Average
Average
Average
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