Multi-Regional Continuity the Fossil Evidence

A detailed Summary of Multi-Regional Continuity the Fossil Evidence

Multi-Regional Continuity: The Fossil Evidence

With regards to the multi-regional continuity model of human evolution, there is without a doubt a preponderance of fossil data that supports the diverse origins of Homo sapiens in different regions of the globe. Skulls displaying a wide variety of mixed modern and archaic features have been found in every corner of the world. The mere existence of these fossils is evidence enough to prove that human evolution was far less cut-and-dried a process than the advocates of the replacement model of human evolution would like to suggest, and, in fact, rather astonishingly complex.

It is useful before discussing the individual fossil specimens to to preface with what exactly is meant by the terms "modern" and "archaic" in reference to skull morphology. "Modern" features in skull morphology as the word is used here include thin cranial walls, small supraorbital ridges, small teeth, small eye sockets, broad, flat foreheads, large cranial volume (above 1200 cc.), low prognathism in the area of the lower face, and a high, vaulted shape in the area of the cranium. "Archaic" features in skull morphology include thick cranial walls, heavy supraorbital ridges, large teeth, large eye socket

1987 Understanding Human Evolution. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Now, a shorter distance, to Arago Cave in France, for one of the more interesting and perhaps bizarre specimens to be presented in support of the multi-regional continuity model. The remains of at least twenty-three individuals comprise this sample, dating from about 190,000 to 180,000 years ago. The most complete skull from Arago displayed a set of traits that were markedly primitive, even for Homo erectus populations (1987: 226). The skull has massive brow ridges, a forehead that is more horizontal than vertical, and teeth that are among the largest in the human fossil record, surpassing Homo erectus and falling within the range of the austrolopithecines (1987: 226-227). The presence of such an over-abundance of archaic traits in a population from less than 200,000 years ago is further evidence of multi-regional continuity. Sometimes, it would seem, evolution worked in reverse in determining the developing morphology of the human skull...

Crossing over the distance of two continents, the next fossil was recovered from a gravel pit in Swanscombe, England, and is believed to date from 250,000 years ago. The Swanscombe skull consists of an occipital bone and left and right parietals, all well-preserved (1987: 223-224). The cranial volume has been estimated at 1,275 to 1,325 cc., putting it well within the range of modern populations. There are some archaic features, however, as well. There is some indication of a heavy brow ridge, and the cranial walls are relatively thick (1987: 224). Also, the vault of the skull is low, further suggesting some sort of transitional between Homo erectus

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Category: Science