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A new discovery of Homo erectus in central Europe
Emanuel Vl~ek
A N e w Discovery o f H o m o e r e c t u s in Central Europe
National Museum, Vdclavskg ndm~sti, Praha, Czechoslovakia
This paper presents a study of the new middle Pleistocene skeletal remains of man from Bilzingsleben in the German Democratic Republic. The skull fragments (os frontale, os occipitale) of the Bilzingsleben man Received 24 September 1977 and can be classified as far as the morphology is concerned, as belonging to accepted 2 February 1978 the form of Homo erectus. The closest analogies with respect to the middle Pleistocene finds of fossil man have been found in Olduvai hominid 9, Sangiran 17, and in the configuration of the occipital part of Sinanthropus III. Certain differences from the Asian forms of Homo erectus may be considered as a geographic expression of the variability of Homo ereetus forms in Europe. For the above reasons there was established the taxon n. ssp. Homo ereaus bilzingslebenensis. The find from Bilzingsleben, which represents the forms of Homo erectus, represents evidence of the contemporary existence of two morphologically different species of man in the Middle Pleistocene in Europe. These are the forms of Homo erectus, represented by finds from Bilzingsleben and Vertessz6116s and the forms of Homo sapiens, represented by the phylogenetic race of Homo sapiens steinheimensis with finds from Stelnheim and Swanscombe.
1. I n t r o d u c t i o n E a r l y P a l a e o l i t h i c sites w i t h skeletal r e m a i n s of m a n have always been a r a r e p h e n o m e n o n . F o r this reason, the discovery o f a site of P a l a e o l i t h i c m a n at Bilzingsleben, district A r t e r n , on t h e n o r t h - e a s t e r n b o r d e r o f the T h t i r i n g e r Becken in the G e r m a n D e m o c r a t i c R e p u b l i c has come as a c o n s i d e r a b l e surprise. D u r i n g systematic investigation o f the site, w h i c h has b e e n c a r r i e d on since 1969 b y t h e L a n d e s m u s e u m ftir V o r g e s c h i c h t e H a l l e / S a M e u n d e r the supervision of D. M a n i a a n d w i t h the c o - o p e r a t i o n o f a n u m b e r of experts b o t h from the G e r m a n D e m o c r a t i c R e p u b l i c a n d from Czechoslovakia, there has b e e n u n c o v e r e d here a L o w e r P a l a e o l i t h i c site t h a t c a n be r e l i a b l y d a t e d n o t only geologically, b u t also b y extensive g a m e f a u n a , molluscs a n d flora, as well as b y large collections of stone a n d bone artefacts. T h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t finds so far a r e four fragments of h u m a n skull a n d one h u m a n m o l a r . A n u m b e r of reports h a v e a l r e a d y been p u b l i s h e d a b o u t t h e site b y the finder h i m s e l f as well as b y some o f his c o l l a b o r a t o r s ( M a n i a , 1974, 1975, 1976a, b; M a n i a & Vl~ek, 1977). T h e finding o f h u m a n skeletal r e m a i n s has b e e n d e s c r i b e d b y M a n i a & G r i m m (1974), G r i m m , M a n i a & T o e p f e r (1974), G r i m m & M a n i a (1976), Vl~ek (1975a, b, 1976), M a n i a , G r i m m & Vl~ek (1976), Vl~ek & M a n i a (1977). I n the a b o v e - m e n t i o n e d reports a n d lectures the a u t h o r s have t r i e d to describe t h e u n c o v e r e d fragments of the h u m a n skull from t h e s t a n d p o i n t o f a n a t o m y a n d to c o m p a r e t h e m w i t h the existing E a r l y P a l a e o l l t h i c finds from E u r o p e , Africa a n d Asia, as well as to d e t e r m i n e the species of the m a n from Bilzingsleben. I n the present p a p e r the a u t h o r will first i n t r o d u c e the i n d i v i d u a l skull f r a g m e n t s f r o m the s t a n d p o i n t of m o r p h o l o g y a n d t h e n these f r a g m e n t s will b e c o m p a r e d w i t h the k n o w n finds o f fossil m a n , a n d a n a t t e m p t will be m a d e to classify them. Journal o f Human Evolution (1978) 7, 239-251
0047-2484178/0301-0239 $02.00]0
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2. Morphological Characteristics o f the Individual Skull F r a g m e n t s During the systematic investigation, human skeletal remains were first uncovered in 1972. These fragments are marked by capital letters, each letter corresponding to one bone, and the additional index describes the individual fragments of the respective bones. The following fragments have been found so far.
Bilzingsleben A 1. A large fragment of the squama of an occipital bone. It was found by D. Mania on 22 October, 1972 and on 17 April, 1974 it was recognized during preparation of finds in the laboratory. The catalogue number of the Landesmusum ffir Vorgeschichte Halle-SaMe is H K 7 4 : 2 0 6 a. Bilzingsleben A 2. A relatively small fragment of the left half of the squama of an occipital bone. Found by D. Bauer on 8 August, 1974 (Cat. no. H K 7 4 : 2 0 6 b). Bilzingsleben B 1. A fragment of the glabellar part of a frontal bone. Found by H. Schr6der on 15 July, 1975 (Cat. no. H K 75: 199). Bilzingsleben B 9. A fragment of the squama of a frontal bone. Found by Ch. Mania on 15 August, 1976 (Cat. no. H K 76: 530). Bilzingsleben C 1. A right upper molar. Found by D. Mania a n d J . S/iss on 3 July, 1976 (Cat. no. H K 76: 529). T h e fragments will be described in the above-mentioned sequence.
Os occipitale (A1 q- A~) T h e fragment of occipital bone of the Bilzingsleben man consists of two parts (A1, A2), which can be well aligned (Plate 1). The preserved dimensions are 75 • 115 mm, and the bone includes the entire planum occipitale, torus oecipitalis and a large part of the planum nuchae, particularly the left part. The region of the foramen magnum and corpus ossis occipitalis is missing. I. In the find from Bilzingsleben, the planum occipitale forms a low and broad triangle that is 40 m m high and 100 mm wide. Planum occipitale is separated from torus occipitalis by the groove of sulcus supratoralis. Above its lateral parts we find a distinct depression for the attachment of musculus occipitalis, whose attachment surface is here very high. No traces have been found there of lineae nuchae supremae on the planum occipitale. 2. Torus occipitalis is present in the typical configuration as defined by Weidenreich (1940). Torus occipitalis forms a bulge 82 m m long, in the medio-sagittal plane up to 19 m m and in lateral parts 15 mm high. Lineae nuchae superiores are included in the distal rim of the torus and therefore they do not find separate expression in the relief of the occipital bone. The lower rim of torus occipitalis undulates mildly and in the medio-sagittal plane it is slightly extended proximally, so that the inion and opisthocranion coincide at the maximum convexity of the bulge. Beneath this lower rim of torus occipitalis there is an elongated depressio subtoralis, measuring 30 • 8 ram, whose floor is rough. We can locate here the beginning of a strong attachment for ligamentum nuchae. 3. Laterally, torus occipitalis turns into the bulge including lineae nuchae superiores, which then continues into processus retromastoideus.
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4. Beneath the described depressio subtoralis there is an indication of a low b u l g e - crista occipitalis e x t e r n a - - w h i c h unfortunately has been preserved intact for a length of only 15 mm. 5. P l a n u m occipitale a n d p l a n u m nuchae form an angle of occipital curvature o f 108 ~ at inion = opisthocranion. 6. P l a n u m nuchae is m a r k e d l y flattened a n d it bears distinct muscle relief. U n d e r the lower rim oftorus occipitalis there is an oval depression measuring 40 • 28 m m , which is traversed by a low bulge where m. semispinalis capitis was attached. I n the latero-distal direction another depression 18 m m wide continues: it corresponds to the a t t a c h m e n t of m. obliquus capitis superior. Medially from this depression there has been preserved the u p p e r part of another a t t a c h m e n t surface for m. rectus capitis superior. T h e remaining parts of p l a n u m n u c h a e are missing. 7. T h e considerably rough surface of the bone of the proximally a r c h e d lineae n u c h a e superiores indicates the a t t a c h m e n t of a well developed m. splenius capitis. Parallel to this a t t a c h m e n t there is a very r o u g h surface for a t t a c h m e n t of m. sternocleidomastoideus. 8. A n o t h e r conspicuous feature of the find from Bilzingsleben is the considerable thickness of the occipital bone. At l a m b d a the thickness is 11 ram, at sutura occipitomastoidea it is 16 m m , in the centre of p l a n u m occipitale 11 m m , at inion 17 m m , at depressio subtoralis 12 m m , in the centre of processus retromastoideus 15 mm, a n d in the fossa cerebelli 5 mm. 9. O n the whole, the s q u a m a of the occipital bone is low and wide, as is evident also from the measurements. Table
Measurements
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
of os occlpltale
Lambda--asterion chord Lambda--asterion arc Inion--asterion chord Inion--asterion arc Length of sutura lambdoidea, left Length of sutura occipitomastoidea Angle of both branches ofsutura lambdoidea Lambda--inion chord Lambda--inion arc Height of planum occipitale Preserved height of planum nuchae Arch of the preserved part of planum nuchae "Hinterhauptneigungswinkel" Diameter inion-opisthocranion--crista occip, int. Index 1--i arc--l-i chord (9 : 8)
86 100 76 81 108 28 127~ 51 53 40 39 40 108~ 17 103"9
I0. I n the relief on the endocranial surface of the occipital bone we find a n u m b e r of details. O n the endocast, polus occipitalis is considerably extended. O n the cast of fossa occipitalis cerebralis there are indications of impressiones g y r o r u m and j uga cerebralia, which correspond to gyri occipitales superiores. T h e surface of the cast above fossae occipitales cerebellares is smooth. M a r k e d l y developed are the sulci venosi. Sulcus sagittalis is 45 m m long, 8 m m wide and 1 to 2 m m deep in, the surface of facies occipitalis cerebralis. Protuberantia occipitalis interna is located
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E. VL~EK parasagittally 12 m m right of the central line and it forms a ridge 25 m m long. T h e right-sided sulcus transversus is 8 m m wide; the left-sided one is only 4 to 5 m m wide and it is 6 m m beneath the right one. The shape of confluens sinuum and the distance of sinus occipitalis can be reconstructed only, because the bone surface is much damaged.
Os frontale (B1, B2) O f the frontal bone of the m a n from Bilzingsleben there have been found so far two fragments, that do not m a t c h (Plate 2).
Bilzingsleben B1 (Plate 2, 3-9).
This fragment includes pars glabellaris and pars nasalis ossis frontalis and is 53 • 68 m m large. The following significant features have been found on the fragment. I. Squama ossis frontalis has been preserved as a small part only. T h e thickness of the squama in the metopie line, 37 m m above the glabella point, is 8 mm. Right of crista frontalis the thickness of squama frontalis is only 6 m m . T h e surface of the preserved part of the squama is smooth. 2. Torus supraorbitalis forms a large bulge, which, in the region of the glabella, is uninterrupted in n o r m a verticalis and in norma frontalis it shows only a slight indication of depressio glabellae. T h e dimensions of this bulge are well shown by the distance of the nasion from crista frontalis (25 mm) and by the distance of the glabella from crista frontalis (28 mm). Finally, it is indicated also by the thickness measured at the level of incisura frontalis lateralis (32 mm). T h e height of torus supraorbitalis at nasion is 21 m m , and at the level of incisura frontalis lateralis it is 21 mm. The surface of the bulge is smooth. 3. Sulcus supraorbitalis has not been formed in the central part of the frontal bone in this individual, because the wide and shallow depressio glabellae turns quite smoothly and without interruption, in a superior direction, into the surface ofsquama ossis frontalis and inferiorly into the region of the glabella. 4. O f the other metrical data we m a y mention the nasion-glabella distance, which is 12 m m , and the distance of glabella to the limit of the preserved height of squama frontalis which is 37 ram. 5. Pars nasalis ossis frontalis is large and with a wide nasal root. The anterior interorbital width (mf-mf) is 34 m m , the length of nasal protrusion of the frontal bone (n-so) is only 5 m m . Margo nasalis ossis frontalis forms a trapezoid formation, whose proximal side is 9-5 m m wide and the base formed by the distance d a c r y o n dacryon is 21 mm. The height of the whole formation is 13 m m . Spina frontalis has been broken off and the opening in aperturae sinuum frontalium measures 8 • 12mm. 6. Small incisurae frontales mediales are formed on both sides. Their front rim is bordered by a slight edge, which continues laterally to the lower rim of torus supraorbitalis and thus forms margo supraorbitalis. This, in turn, separates facies orbitalis from the mass of torus supraorbitalis. Beneath the above-mentioned incisurae there are foveae trochleares measuring 5 • 6 m m . 7. O n facies cerebralis ossis frontalis the course of an indistinct crista frontalis is evident for a length of 37 m m . At a height of 18 m m along the preserved length,
Plate 1. Bilzingsleben--os occipitale (A1 + A2). 1, Planum occipitale; 2, norma occipitalis; 3, norma lateralis dextra; 4, p|anum nuchae; 5, norma Iateralis sinistra.
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Plate 2. Bilzingsleben--os fl'ontale (B1 and B2). 1, Fragment ofsquama (B2), lamina externa; 2, lamina interna; 3, fragment ofglabellar region of frontal bone (B1), norma verticalis; 4, depressio glabellae; 5, aperturae sinuum; 6, norma lateralis dextra; 7, norma lateralis sinistra; 8, norma frontalis; 9, facies cerebralis.
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I
II
2
3
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the crista frontalis forks into t w o edges. On the cast we also find shallow impressiones gyrorum, juga cerebralia and thin branches of sulci arteriosi. 8. Sinus frontales are well developed only within the mass of torus supraorbitalis. On the whole, their shape can be described as cauliflower-like. We find two large chambers, undivided by septa, and only on the wall are there bone ribs. T h e preserved width of the frontal sinuses is 47 m m , the height is 30 m m and the depth 17 m m .
Bilzingsleben B2 (Plate 2, 1-2). This second fragment of the frontal bone is rectangular. I t measures 50 • 30 m m , and from the preserved part ofsutura coronalis and a suggestion of crista frontalis it can be located in a paramedian position left of crista frontalis, and close to the bregma point. The m a x i m u m thickness of the fragment is l0 mm, the m i n i m u m thickness is 6-3 m m , and at sutura coronalis it is 9 mm. Sutura coronalis shows simple serration, but in cross-section the serrated contact surface of the suture is considerably oblique. O n lamina externa of the bone there are indistinct impressions of vessels. O n lamina interna the surface is slightly uneven but it is smooth. At the left rim of the fragment the surface is extended into the original crista frontalis. The upper right M1 or M 2 (C1) T h e molar comprises two fragments of the crown, with the tooth neck that has unequal preserved width, and without roots. All four cusps of the tooth are m u c h abraded, so that the dentine shows through in places. The pulp chamber is rather large. The crown of the molar has the following measurements: mesio-distal diameter bucco-lingual diameter buccal height lingual height
12-0 13.0 6.8 6.0
mm mm mm mm
A detailed description of the tooth and comparison with other material will be submitted separately.
3. C o m p a r i s o n o f the Finds f r o m Bilzingsleben w i t h Other Material For comparison with the fragments of neurocranium of Bilzingsleben, we have used finds from Java, China, East and South Africa. O f the European finds, there have been used individuals from Swanscombe, Steinheim, VertesszSllSs, Arago-Tautavel and Ehringsdorf. The present author could not study the find from Petralona either in the original or in cast. Further, there have been used for comparison, finds of Neandertal individuals from Europe and modern man. Os occipitale of Bilzingsleben shows a markedly angled occiput; planum occipitale and planum nuchae form an angle of occipital curvature of 108 ~ Planum occipitale is very low and broad. Torus occipitalis is formed typically, and inion and opisthocranion coincide at its m a x i m u m bulge in the medio-sagittal plane. Planum nuchae is markedly flat with characteristic muscle relief. O n the whole, the occipital bone is rather thickwalled.
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E. VL~EK Figure 1. Comparison of medio-sagittal sections of occipital bones of finds'of Homo erectus (P IV--Sangiran 17, P II--Pithecanthropus II, Si III--Sinanthropus III, B--Bilzlngsleben,V--Vertessz6116sII) with forms of Homo sapiens from Europe (Sw--Swanscombe, St--Steinheim, E-EhringsdorfH, L-CH--La Chapelle, L-F--La Ferrassie, Ci--Circeo I). P IV
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~~~op~~ ~ l!p_ From a comparison of this Bilzingsleben bone (Figure 1), in the most characteristic medio-sagittal plane, with those of Pithecanthropus (II, IV, V I I I ) , Sinanthropus (III, X, XI, X I I ) and Olduvai hominid 9, we find its morphologically closest resemblance with Sinanthropus I I I and Olduvae 9. Ill comparing Bilzingsleben with the series Homo soloensis (I, V, VI, X, XI) and with the cranium from Broken Hill, we find considerable differences in the morphology of torus occipitalis and in the bone thickness in the region of planum nuchae. The most interesting comparison of the Bilzingsleben individual with Middle Pleistocene finds from Europe has shown that only the find from Vertessz6116s displays certain similarities with the Bilzingsleben individual, in its broken occiput, coincidence of inion and opisthocranion at the lower edge of torus occipitalis, and the flat planum nuchae. The finds from Swanscombe, Steinheim and Ehringsdorf, on the contrary, display basic differences. These finds do not show torus occipitalis, the maximum occipital point does not coincide with inion and the overall shape of the occiput outline is curvo-occipital. Also the bone thickness of the above mentioned finds is less, and the configuration of the occipital parts of the endocast points to Homo sapiens forms.
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Quite similar results are evident from the comparison of Bilzingsleben with the classic Neandertal individuals (La Chapelle, La Ferrassie, Circeo I). In these individuals, too, torus occipitalis is not formed and the most posterior extent of the occipital bone is in the region of planum occipitale, so that iniort and opishocranion are separate. The thickness of the occipital bone in Neandertal individuals is low. Similarly, the Bilzingsleben find was compared also with respect to other morphological features in other norms, measurements, etc. All these comparisons show that in the Bilzingsleben individual the formation of the Bilzingsleben occipital bone agrees well with crania of Homo erectus and that it does not correspond at all with those of Homo sapiens. Figure 2. Comparison of medio-sagittal sections of frontal bones of finds of Homo erectus (P I--Pithecanthropus I, P II--Pithecanthropus II, Si I I - Sinanthropus II, Si III~inanthropns III, P VIII--Sangiran 17, O - Olduvai hominid 9, B--Bilzingsleben) with Homo sapiens forms from Europe (St--Steinheim, A Arago-Tautavel, E--Ehringsdorf I-I, L-CH--La Chapelle, L]F--La Ferrassie, Ci---Cireeo I, R--recent
man).
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T h e significant morphological features on the fragment of frontal bone have b e e n compared in a similar m a n n e r (Figure 2). I n sagittal sections of the glabellar region we have again found the closest similarity with Olduvai 9 and Sangiran 17. T h e early forms of Pithecanthropus and Sinanthropus display a more distinctly arched frontal squama, a n d
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torus supraorbitalis is distinctly separated by the well formed sulcus supraorbitalis. Torus supraorbitalis of the above-mentioned Asian forms shows quite a different shape. In the later forms, such as Pithecanthropus V I I I , the similarity to the Bilzingsleben individual is again considerable. In Homo soloensis, torus supraorbitalis is different in form. Also in the finds from Broken Hill and Saldanha, we find a specific shape of torus supraorbitalis, which is in principle different fi'om the late Pleistocene finds of Homo soloensis and also from the Bilzingsleben individual. O f the European Middle Pleistocene forms, we have at our disposal only the finds from Steinheim and Arago, which show different shapes of the glabellar region. Some finds of Neandertal individuals stand much closer to the Bilzingsleben find. Though the comparison of the glabellar region of frontal bone in the Bilzingsleben find with the above-mentioned finds does not give such clear-cut results as the comparison of the occipital bone, the morphology and massive character of the glabellar region of the frontal bone confirm that Bilzingsleben man belongs to Homo erectus. However, it is evident from both the morphological and metrical analysis that the Bilzingsleben find shows closest similarities with Olduvai hominid 9, considerable similarities with Sangiran 17, and, in the occipital region, a rather accurate likeness to Sinanthropus III. Therefore, we have used this similarity for the demonstration of the probable shape of the neurocranium of Bilzingsleben. Casts of fragments of the frontal and occipital bone were placed in the calvariat casts of Olduvai hominid 9 (Figure 3) Figure 3. Skull fragments of occipital bone BilzingslebenA1 + A2 and of frontal bone B1 inserted in the east of skull Olduvai 9.
andSinanthropusIII. Thus, we have obtained possible variants of the reconstructed braincase of the hominid from Bilzingsleben. We are well informed about the degree of accuracy of such reconstructions, by sagittal sections of reconstructions in comparison with sections of the brain-cases of Olduvai 9 and of Sinanthropus III.
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4. D i s c u s s i o n
T h e new palaeoanthropological finds made in recent decades in Asia, Africa and particularly in Europe make it possible to supplement the so far indistinct picture of the development of m a n in the Middle Pleistocene of Europe. I n addition to the well known finds from Heidelberg, Swanscombe, Steinheim, Ehringsdorf H, B, C, D and Montmaurin, other important finds have been made recently from Arago-Tautavel, Vertessz6116s, Petralona and most recently, from Bilzingsleben. Individual authors have different opinions as regards the taxonomic classification of a n u m b e r of the finds. Those from Swanscombe and Steinheim are evaluated relatively easily; almost all scholars classify them as Homo sapiens and the phylogenetic race, H. s. steinheimensis. The finds from Arago, together with finds from M o n t m a u r i n and some other finds from South Europe, have been classified provisionally by H. de Lumley as Ante-Neandertal individuals. T h o m a believes that the find from Vertessz6116s belongs to a new sub-species H. erectus seu sapiens palaeohungaricus, n. ssp. Some scholars are of the opinion that this is a Neandertal individual (yon Koenigswald, 1967); others--such as Wolpoff (1971)--believe it is Homo erectus. Similarly, the Petralona find has been classified by m a n y scholars as Neandertal, while some authors think it complies with the taxon Homo erectus (Hemmer, 1972, 1974; Stringer, 1974). No agreed classification of the finds from Ehringsdorf exists, either. At the present time the author of this report is studying the Ehringsdorffinds anew. T h e very first attempt at reconstruction of the calvaria of Ehringsdorf H points quite clearly to an advanced Homo sapiens form (Vl~ek, 1976). As mentioned above, after the analysis and comparison with ancient finds from Europe and middle Pleistocene finds from Africa and Asia, the Bilzingsleben find m a y be classed with Homo erectus (Figure 4). T h e cited finds reveal considerable morphological differences in the evolution of Middle Pleistocene m a n in Europe with regard to the respective stratigraphical position. These differences are further enhanced by the limited information we have at our disposal, resulting from the lack of such remarkable discoveries, and by the incomplete character of the individual finds. We are well aware of such difficulties. Yet, we can state that, at the end of the Holstein interglacial, there existed in Central Europe, side by side, two h u m a n forms, that of Homo erectus and that of Homo sapiens. In the subsequent period of the pemfltimate glacial, we can trace the evolution of m a n in Europe only within the framework of one form--Homo sapiens. I t seems at present that in Europe there is no evidence for the existence and evolution of forms of Homo erectus with a low capacity brain-case, not exceeding 900 cm3), as we know them from Java. Considerably younger Homo erectus forms penetrated to Europe as late as in the Middle Pleistocene, as we can see from the Bilzingsleben and Vertessz6116s finds. T h e brain-case capacity of these forms did not exceed 1000 cm 3. With respect to both the time and morphology, these European forms correspond with the Homo erectus forms from Olduvai in East Africa (hominid 9) as well as with the J a v a finds of type Sangiran 17. H o w do we evaluate today the evolution of m a n in Central Europe? In this territory, m a n ' s evolution was connected with the evolution of populations in South Europe, North and East Africa. Strict taxonomic classification of the European finds from the Middle Pleistocene is very difficult, because their range of morphology changed variously in short time intervals, in individual geographical regions and with differing speeds and
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E. VL~EK Figure 4. Comparison of mid-sagittal sections of brain-case of finds of Homderectus (Si III--Sinanthropus III, O--Olduvai hominid 9, P V I I I - Sangiran 17) with inserted fragments of the glabellar region of the frontal bone and of the occipital bone of the Bilzingsleben skull (above) and comparison with finds of Homo sapiensfrom Europe (E--Ehringsdorf H A + Sw--Arago + Swanscombe, St--Stelnheim) (below).
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intensity. However, one fact seems to be demonstrable. In the late Holstein period, that is the later period of the Mindel-Riss interglacial, we find forms in central Europe with predominating features of Homo erectus (Bilzingsleben, Vertessz6116s, Petralona), while in western Europe we find forms that show predominating features of Homo sapiens (Swanscombe, Steinheim). In the following, penultimate, glacial period (Riss) and in the penultimate interglacial (Eem/Riss/Wfirm) we find forms of Homo sapiens only, which progressed in at least two qualitatively different specializations. First, we find the evolution in the direction of Neandertal man, as is seen mainly from the Riss finds of the so called ante-Neandertal individuals from south Europe. During subsequent evolution in the last interglacial, these forms represent the so called pre-Neandertal forms, whose Cranial capacity was about 1200 cm 3) (Saccopastore, Gibraltar, G~novce). These forms
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could represent the basis for the evolution of Neandertal individuals called Homo sapiens neanderthalensis in Europe (La Chapelle, La Q uina, Neandertal, Spy, Le Moustier), in the Crimea (Kiik-Koba, Zaskalnaya VI), and in Asia Minor and Central Asia (Tabun, Te~ik-Ta~). Second, in the last Riss-Wfirm interglacial, there existed in Central Europe forms in which we can see progress toward modern man. These are, in the first place, the finds from Weimar-Ehringsdorf H, C, B and D. In additiort to the typical Homo sapiens occiput and the arched frontal squama as well as marked torus supraorbitalis, these forms show yet another feature typical of Homo sapiens--a typical tuber parietale. For the first time we find here a brain-case of the modern type. During subsequent development these forms progressed quite clearly towards modern man. At the end of the last interglacial and in the first half of the last glacial period--the Wfirm--we find in Central Europe Homo sapiens forms that are called provisionally "transitional" Neandertal individuals (Ochoz, Sipka, K~lna, Sala and Subalyuk). These central European finds correspond, with respect to time as well as morphology, with the forms from Asia Minor called Homo sapiens palestinensis (Shanidar, Amud, Galilea, Skhul and Kafzeh). Another group is represented by the finds from Krapina. These phylogenetic races of Homo sapiens then contributed, each with its own share, to the appearance of modern man. 5. D e t e r m i n a t i o n
of a New Taxon
Because we consider as a sufficiently proven fact that the Bilzingsleben man belongs to the species Homo erectus, we have determined for the Bilzingsleben man the taxon n. ssp. Homo erectus bilzingslebenensis, as a phylogenetic race of Homo erectus in Europe that is contemporary with forms of Homo sapiens described as the phylogenetic race of Homo
sapiens steinheimensis. Taxon: Homo erectus bilzingslebenensis n. ssp. Locality: Locality called "Steinrinne", 1 km south of the village Bilzingsleben, district Artern, region Halle/Saale, the German Democratic Republic. Geographically, this locality is on the north-eastern border of the Thtiringen-Basin (Thtiringer Becken). Provenance: It is on the base of a travertine complex situated upon a 30 m terrace of the Wipper River. Dating: (1) Geological. The 30 m terrace corresponds to the upper stage of the middle terrace of Thfiringen, which was created at the end of the Elster/Mindel glaciation. The travertine complex lying upon it belongs to the Holstein] Mindel/Riss interglacial. (2) Fauna: Palaeoloxodon antiquus, Parelephas trogontherii, Dicerorhinus kirchbergensis, Equus, Bos, Bison, Cervus elaphus, Capreolus, Cervidae, Sus scrofa, Ursus, Felis silvestris, Castor fiber and Trogontherium cuvieri. (3) Flora: Tilia cordata, Acer campestre, Quercus, Corylus aveUana, Pyracantha coccinea and Buxus sempervirens. (4) Mollusca: Helix pomatia, Capaea nemoralis, Capaea hortensis, Azeka menkeana, Aegopis verticillus and Paladillia (Belgrandia) marginata. Culture: Microlithic Clactonian flake industry made of flint, choppers and chopping tools made of quartzite (Muschelkalk), crystalline, hoe-shaped and club-shaped tools (Hiebger/ite) made of antlers, and large series of retouched bone tools.
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E. VL~EK
Finds o f man: A1 + A2 os occipitale, B1 + B2 os frontale. Name o f sub-species: H.e. bilzingslebenensis; selected a c c o r d i n g to the c o m m u n i t y Bilzingsleben, in whose c a d a s t r e the locality is s i t u a t e d " S t e i n r i n n e " .
of
6. C o n c l u s i o n s
(1) T h e skull fragments o f the Bilzingsleben m a n c a n be classified, as far as the m o r p h o l o g y is c o n c e r n e d , as b e l o n g i n g to the forms of Homo erectus. (2) T h e closest analogies w i t h respect to the m i d d l e Pleistocene finds of fossil m a n have been found in O l d u v a i h o m i n i d 9, S a n g i r a n 17, a n d in the configuration o f the occipital p a r t o f Sinanthropus I I I . C e r t a i n differences from the A s i a n forms of Homo erectus m a y b e considered as a g e o g r a p h i c expression o f the v a r i a b i l i t y of Homo erectus forms in E u r o p e . (3) F o r the a b o v e reasons there was established the t a x o n n. ssp. Homo erectus bilzingslebenensis. (4) T h e find f r o m Bilzingsleben, w h i c h represents the forms o f Homo erectus, provides evidence o f c o n t e m p o r a r y existence o f two m o r p h o l o g i c a l l y different species o f m a n in the m i d d l e Pleistocene in Europe. T h e s e are t h e forms of Homo ereetus, r e p r e s e n t e d b y finds from Bilzingsleben a n d Vertessz6116s, a n d the forms o f Homo sapiens, r e p r e s e n t e d b y t h e p h y l o g e n e t i c r a c e of Homo sapiens steinheimensis w i t h finds from S t e i n h e i m a n d S w a n s c o m b e . I n this p a p e r the a u t h o r w o u l d like to inform his colleagues a b o u t the p r e l i m i n a r y results of m o r p h o l o g i c a l a n d t a x o n o m i c a l analysis of h u m a n skeletal r e m a i n s from the M i d d l e Pleistocene site a t Bilzingsleben, t h a t have b e e n u n c o v e r e d so far. W e a r e f i r m l y c o n v i n c e d t h a t further systematic a n d c o m p r e h e n s i v e search a t the site will b r i n g to light m o r e finds t h a t will e x t e n d o u r k n o w l e d g e a b o u t the e v o l u t i o n a r y forms o f E u r o p e a n m a n in the Pleistocene. References
Grimm, H. & Mania, D. (1976). Bilzingsleben B--eln weiterer mittelpleistozfiner Hominiden-Fund aus dem Elbe-Saale-Gebiet. Biologische Rundschau 14, 155-156. Grimm, H., Mania, D. & Toepfer, V. (1974). Ein neuer Hominidenfund in Europa-Nachtrag zum Vorbericht fiber Bilzingsleben. Kr. Artern. Z. Archi~ol. 8, 175-176. Hemmer, H. 1972). Notes sur la position phyl6tique de l'homme de Petralona. L'Anthropologle 76, 155-162. Koenigswald, G. H. R. yon (1967). Neue Dokumente zur menschlichen Stammesgeschichte. Ecologae Geologicae Helvetiae 60, 641-655. Mania, D. (1974). Bilzingsleben, Kr. Artern--Eine altpal~iolithische Travertinstelle im n6rdlichen Mitteleuropa (Vorbericht). Z. Arehaol. 8, 157-173. Mania, D. (1975). Bilzingsleben (Thfiringen): Eine neue altpal/iollthische Fundstelle mit Knoehenresten des Homo erectus. ArchiiologischesKorespondenzblatt 5~ 263-272. Mania, D. L. (1976a). Altpalgolithischer Rastplatz mit Hominidenresten aus dem Mittelpheistoz~in Travertin-Komplex yon BiIzlngsleben (DDR). IX" Congrgs des U I des So. Prghistoriques et Protohistoriques, Colloque IX, Nice 1976, 35-45. Mania, D. (1976b). Altpal~iolithische Travertinstelle bei Bilzingsleben. Kr. Artern. Ausgrabungen und Funde 21, 24-26. Mania, D. & Grimm, H. (1974). Bilzingsleben, Kr. Artern--eine pal~io6kologisch aufschlussreiche Fundstelle des Altpal/iolithikums mit Hominiden-Fund. Biologische Rundschau 12, 361-364. Mania, D., Grimm, H. & Vlcek, E. (1976). Ein weiterer Hominidenfund arts dem mittelpleistoziinen Travertinkomplex bei Bilzingsleben. Kr. Artern. Z. Archiiol. 10, 241-249. Mania, D. Vl~ek, E. (1977). Altpal~iolithische Funde mit Homo erectus von Bilzingsleben (DDR). Archeologickg rozhledy, 29, 603-616
NEW DISCOVERY OF HOMO ERECTUS
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Stringer, C. B. (1974). A multivariate study of the Petralona skull. Journal of Human Evolution 3, 397-404. Vt~:ek, E. (1975a). Zur Taxonomic und Differenzialdiagnostik der Homlniden-Resten aus Bilzingsleben. Vortrag zum X I I L Kongres der tscheehoslowakischen Anthropologen in Brno, 2 September 1975. Vl~ek, E. (1975)b). Zu den mittelpleistoz~inen Hominiden-Funden yon Bilzingsleben. Vortrag zum Wiss. Koll. "'Die Stellung des Fundortes Bilzingsleben in derfriihen Altsteinzeit Europas" in HaUe[Saale, 12 October 1975. Vl~ek, E. (1976). Die biologische Variabilit~it beim mittelplelstoz~inen Menschen Europas. Vortrag zur 14. Arbeitstagung der Biol. Ges. der DDR, Sektion Anthropologie in Jena, 13 October 1976. Vlfiek, E. & Mania, D. (1977). Ein neuer Fund yon Homo erectus in Europa Bilzingsleben (DDR). Anthropologie (Brno), 15, 159-169. Wolpoff, M. H. (1971). Is Vertessz6116s II an occipital of European Homo ereetus? Nature 232, 567-568.
A N e w Discovery o f H o m o e r e c t u s in Central Europe
National Museum, Vdclavskg ndm~sti, Praha, Czechoslovakia
This paper presents a study of the new middle Pleistocene skeletal remains of man from Bilzingsleben in the German Democratic Republic. The skull fragments (os frontale, os occipitale) of the Bilzingsleben man Received 24 September 1977 and can be classified as far as the morphology is concerned, as belonging to accepted 2 February 1978 the form of Homo erectus. The closest analogies with respect to the middle Pleistocene finds of fossil man have been found in Olduvai hominid 9, Sangiran 17, and in the configuration of the occipital part of Sinanthropus III. Certain differences from the Asian forms of Homo erectus may be considered as a geographic expression of the variability of Homo ereetus forms in Europe. For the above reasons there was established the taxon n. ssp. Homo ereaus bilzingslebenensis. The find from Bilzingsleben, which represents the forms of Homo erectus, represents evidence of the contemporary existence of two morphologically different species of man in the Middle Pleistocene in Europe. These are the forms of Homo erectus, represented by finds from Bilzingsleben and Vertessz6116s and the forms of Homo sapiens, represented by the phylogenetic race of Homo sapiens steinheimensis with finds from Stelnheim and Swanscombe.
1. I n t r o d u c t i o n E a r l y P a l a e o l i t h i c sites w i t h skeletal r e m a i n s of m a n have always been a r a r e p h e n o m e n o n . F o r this reason, the discovery o f a site of P a l a e o l i t h i c m a n at Bilzingsleben, district A r t e r n , on t h e n o r t h - e a s t e r n b o r d e r o f the T h t i r i n g e r Becken in the G e r m a n D e m o c r a t i c R e p u b l i c has come as a c o n s i d e r a b l e surprise. D u r i n g systematic investigation o f the site, w h i c h has b e e n c a r r i e d on since 1969 b y t h e L a n d e s m u s e u m ftir V o r g e s c h i c h t e H a l l e / S a M e u n d e r the supervision of D. M a n i a a n d w i t h the c o - o p e r a t i o n o f a n u m b e r of experts b o t h from the G e r m a n D e m o c r a t i c R e p u b l i c a n d from Czechoslovakia, there has b e e n u n c o v e r e d here a L o w e r P a l a e o l i t h i c site t h a t c a n be r e l i a b l y d a t e d n o t only geologically, b u t also b y extensive g a m e f a u n a , molluscs a n d flora, as well as b y large collections of stone a n d bone artefacts. T h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t finds so far a r e four fragments of h u m a n skull a n d one h u m a n m o l a r . A n u m b e r of reports h a v e a l r e a d y been p u b l i s h e d a b o u t t h e site b y the finder h i m s e l f as well as b y some o f his c o l l a b o r a t o r s ( M a n i a , 1974, 1975, 1976a, b; M a n i a & Vl~ek, 1977). T h e finding o f h u m a n skeletal r e m a i n s has b e e n d e s c r i b e d b y M a n i a & G r i m m (1974), G r i m m , M a n i a & T o e p f e r (1974), G r i m m & M a n i a (1976), Vl~ek (1975a, b, 1976), M a n i a , G r i m m & Vl~ek (1976), Vl~ek & M a n i a (1977). I n the a b o v e - m e n t i o n e d reports a n d lectures the a u t h o r s have t r i e d to describe t h e u n c o v e r e d fragments of the h u m a n skull from t h e s t a n d p o i n t o f a n a t o m y a n d to c o m p a r e t h e m w i t h the existing E a r l y P a l a e o l l t h i c finds from E u r o p e , Africa a n d Asia, as well as to d e t e r m i n e the species of the m a n from Bilzingsleben. I n the present p a p e r the a u t h o r will first i n t r o d u c e the i n d i v i d u a l skull f r a g m e n t s f r o m the s t a n d p o i n t of m o r p h o l o g y a n d t h e n these f r a g m e n t s will b e c o m p a r e d w i t h the k n o w n finds o f fossil m a n , a n d a n a t t e m p t will be m a d e to classify them. Journal o f Human Evolution (1978) 7, 239-251
0047-2484178/0301-0239 $02.00]0
9 1978 Academic Press Inc. (London) Limited
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2. Morphological Characteristics o f the Individual Skull F r a g m e n t s During the systematic investigation, human skeletal remains were first uncovered in 1972. These fragments are marked by capital letters, each letter corresponding to one bone, and the additional index describes the individual fragments of the respective bones. The following fragments have been found so far.
Bilzingsleben A 1. A large fragment of the squama of an occipital bone. It was found by D. Mania on 22 October, 1972 and on 17 April, 1974 it was recognized during preparation of finds in the laboratory. The catalogue number of the Landesmusum ffir Vorgeschichte Halle-SaMe is H K 7 4 : 2 0 6 a. Bilzingsleben A 2. A relatively small fragment of the left half of the squama of an occipital bone. Found by D. Bauer on 8 August, 1974 (Cat. no. H K 7 4 : 2 0 6 b). Bilzingsleben B 1. A fragment of the glabellar part of a frontal bone. Found by H. Schr6der on 15 July, 1975 (Cat. no. H K 75: 199). Bilzingsleben B 9. A fragment of the squama of a frontal bone. Found by Ch. Mania on 15 August, 1976 (Cat. no. H K 76: 530). Bilzingsleben C 1. A right upper molar. Found by D. Mania a n d J . S/iss on 3 July, 1976 (Cat. no. H K 76: 529). T h e fragments will be described in the above-mentioned sequence.
Os occipitale (A1 q- A~) T h e fragment of occipital bone of the Bilzingsleben man consists of two parts (A1, A2), which can be well aligned (Plate 1). The preserved dimensions are 75 • 115 mm, and the bone includes the entire planum occipitale, torus oecipitalis and a large part of the planum nuchae, particularly the left part. The region of the foramen magnum and corpus ossis occipitalis is missing. I. In the find from Bilzingsleben, the planum occipitale forms a low and broad triangle that is 40 m m high and 100 mm wide. Planum occipitale is separated from torus occipitalis by the groove of sulcus supratoralis. Above its lateral parts we find a distinct depression for the attachment of musculus occipitalis, whose attachment surface is here very high. No traces have been found there of lineae nuchae supremae on the planum occipitale. 2. Torus occipitalis is present in the typical configuration as defined by Weidenreich (1940). Torus occipitalis forms a bulge 82 m m long, in the medio-sagittal plane up to 19 m m and in lateral parts 15 mm high. Lineae nuchae superiores are included in the distal rim of the torus and therefore they do not find separate expression in the relief of the occipital bone. The lower rim of torus occipitalis undulates mildly and in the medio-sagittal plane it is slightly extended proximally, so that the inion and opisthocranion coincide at the maximum convexity of the bulge. Beneath this lower rim of torus occipitalis there is an elongated depressio subtoralis, measuring 30 • 8 ram, whose floor is rough. We can locate here the beginning of a strong attachment for ligamentum nuchae. 3. Laterally, torus occipitalis turns into the bulge including lineae nuchae superiores, which then continues into processus retromastoideus.
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4. Beneath the described depressio subtoralis there is an indication of a low b u l g e - crista occipitalis e x t e r n a - - w h i c h unfortunately has been preserved intact for a length of only 15 mm. 5. P l a n u m occipitale a n d p l a n u m nuchae form an angle of occipital curvature o f 108 ~ at inion = opisthocranion. 6. P l a n u m nuchae is m a r k e d l y flattened a n d it bears distinct muscle relief. U n d e r the lower rim oftorus occipitalis there is an oval depression measuring 40 • 28 m m , which is traversed by a low bulge where m. semispinalis capitis was attached. I n the latero-distal direction another depression 18 m m wide continues: it corresponds to the a t t a c h m e n t of m. obliquus capitis superior. Medially from this depression there has been preserved the u p p e r part of another a t t a c h m e n t surface for m. rectus capitis superior. T h e remaining parts of p l a n u m n u c h a e are missing. 7. T h e considerably rough surface of the bone of the proximally a r c h e d lineae n u c h a e superiores indicates the a t t a c h m e n t of a well developed m. splenius capitis. Parallel to this a t t a c h m e n t there is a very r o u g h surface for a t t a c h m e n t of m. sternocleidomastoideus. 8. A n o t h e r conspicuous feature of the find from Bilzingsleben is the considerable thickness of the occipital bone. At l a m b d a the thickness is 11 ram, at sutura occipitomastoidea it is 16 m m , in the centre of p l a n u m occipitale 11 m m , at inion 17 m m , at depressio subtoralis 12 m m , in the centre of processus retromastoideus 15 mm, a n d in the fossa cerebelli 5 mm. 9. O n the whole, the s q u a m a of the occipital bone is low and wide, as is evident also from the measurements. Table
Measurements
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
of os occlpltale
Lambda--asterion chord Lambda--asterion arc Inion--asterion chord Inion--asterion arc Length of sutura lambdoidea, left Length of sutura occipitomastoidea Angle of both branches ofsutura lambdoidea Lambda--inion chord Lambda--inion arc Height of planum occipitale Preserved height of planum nuchae Arch of the preserved part of planum nuchae "Hinterhauptneigungswinkel" Diameter inion-opisthocranion--crista occip, int. Index 1--i arc--l-i chord (9 : 8)
86 100 76 81 108 28 127~ 51 53 40 39 40 108~ 17 103"9
I0. I n the relief on the endocranial surface of the occipital bone we find a n u m b e r of details. O n the endocast, polus occipitalis is considerably extended. O n the cast of fossa occipitalis cerebralis there are indications of impressiones g y r o r u m and j uga cerebralia, which correspond to gyri occipitales superiores. T h e surface of the cast above fossae occipitales cerebellares is smooth. M a r k e d l y developed are the sulci venosi. Sulcus sagittalis is 45 m m long, 8 m m wide and 1 to 2 m m deep in, the surface of facies occipitalis cerebralis. Protuberantia occipitalis interna is located
242
E. VL~EK parasagittally 12 m m right of the central line and it forms a ridge 25 m m long. T h e right-sided sulcus transversus is 8 m m wide; the left-sided one is only 4 to 5 m m wide and it is 6 m m beneath the right one. The shape of confluens sinuum and the distance of sinus occipitalis can be reconstructed only, because the bone surface is much damaged.
Os frontale (B1, B2) O f the frontal bone of the m a n from Bilzingsleben there have been found so far two fragments, that do not m a t c h (Plate 2).
Bilzingsleben B1 (Plate 2, 3-9).
This fragment includes pars glabellaris and pars nasalis ossis frontalis and is 53 • 68 m m large. The following significant features have been found on the fragment. I. Squama ossis frontalis has been preserved as a small part only. T h e thickness of the squama in the metopie line, 37 m m above the glabella point, is 8 mm. Right of crista frontalis the thickness of squama frontalis is only 6 m m . T h e surface of the preserved part of the squama is smooth. 2. Torus supraorbitalis forms a large bulge, which, in the region of the glabella, is uninterrupted in n o r m a verticalis and in norma frontalis it shows only a slight indication of depressio glabellae. T h e dimensions of this bulge are well shown by the distance of the nasion from crista frontalis (25 mm) and by the distance of the glabella from crista frontalis (28 mm). Finally, it is indicated also by the thickness measured at the level of incisura frontalis lateralis (32 mm). T h e height of torus supraorbitalis at nasion is 21 m m , and at the level of incisura frontalis lateralis it is 21 mm. The surface of the bulge is smooth. 3. Sulcus supraorbitalis has not been formed in the central part of the frontal bone in this individual, because the wide and shallow depressio glabellae turns quite smoothly and without interruption, in a superior direction, into the surface ofsquama ossis frontalis and inferiorly into the region of the glabella. 4. O f the other metrical data we m a y mention the nasion-glabella distance, which is 12 m m , and the distance of glabella to the limit of the preserved height of squama frontalis which is 37 ram. 5. Pars nasalis ossis frontalis is large and with a wide nasal root. The anterior interorbital width (mf-mf) is 34 m m , the length of nasal protrusion of the frontal bone (n-so) is only 5 m m . Margo nasalis ossis frontalis forms a trapezoid formation, whose proximal side is 9-5 m m wide and the base formed by the distance d a c r y o n dacryon is 21 mm. The height of the whole formation is 13 m m . Spina frontalis has been broken off and the opening in aperturae sinuum frontalium measures 8 • 12mm. 6. Small incisurae frontales mediales are formed on both sides. Their front rim is bordered by a slight edge, which continues laterally to the lower rim of torus supraorbitalis and thus forms margo supraorbitalis. This, in turn, separates facies orbitalis from the mass of torus supraorbitalis. Beneath the above-mentioned incisurae there are foveae trochleares measuring 5 • 6 m m . 7. O n facies cerebralis ossis frontalis the course of an indistinct crista frontalis is evident for a length of 37 m m . At a height of 18 m m along the preserved length,
Plate 1. Bilzingsleben--os occipitale (A1 + A2). 1, Planum occipitale; 2, norma occipitalis; 3, norma lateralis dextra; 4, p|anum nuchae; 5, norma Iateralis sinistra.
242
Plate 2. Bilzingsleben--os fl'ontale (B1 and B2). 1, Fragment ofsquama (B2), lamina externa; 2, lamina interna; 3, fragment ofglabellar region of frontal bone (B1), norma verticalis; 4, depressio glabellae; 5, aperturae sinuum; 6, norma lateralis dextra; 7, norma lateralis sinistra; 8, norma frontalis; 9, facies cerebralis.
IIII IIII Iil1111111111111fl cm
I
II
2
3
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O F HOMO ERECTUS
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the crista frontalis forks into t w o edges. On the cast we also find shallow impressiones gyrorum, juga cerebralia and thin branches of sulci arteriosi. 8. Sinus frontales are well developed only within the mass of torus supraorbitalis. On the whole, their shape can be described as cauliflower-like. We find two large chambers, undivided by septa, and only on the wall are there bone ribs. T h e preserved width of the frontal sinuses is 47 m m , the height is 30 m m and the depth 17 m m .
Bilzingsleben B2 (Plate 2, 1-2). This second fragment of the frontal bone is rectangular. I t measures 50 • 30 m m , and from the preserved part ofsutura coronalis and a suggestion of crista frontalis it can be located in a paramedian position left of crista frontalis, and close to the bregma point. The m a x i m u m thickness of the fragment is l0 mm, the m i n i m u m thickness is 6-3 m m , and at sutura coronalis it is 9 mm. Sutura coronalis shows simple serration, but in cross-section the serrated contact surface of the suture is considerably oblique. O n lamina externa of the bone there are indistinct impressions of vessels. O n lamina interna the surface is slightly uneven but it is smooth. At the left rim of the fragment the surface is extended into the original crista frontalis. The upper right M1 or M 2 (C1) T h e molar comprises two fragments of the crown, with the tooth neck that has unequal preserved width, and without roots. All four cusps of the tooth are m u c h abraded, so that the dentine shows through in places. The pulp chamber is rather large. The crown of the molar has the following measurements: mesio-distal diameter bucco-lingual diameter buccal height lingual height
12-0 13.0 6.8 6.0
mm mm mm mm
A detailed description of the tooth and comparison with other material will be submitted separately.
3. C o m p a r i s o n o f the Finds f r o m Bilzingsleben w i t h Other Material For comparison with the fragments of neurocranium of Bilzingsleben, we have used finds from Java, China, East and South Africa. O f the European finds, there have been used individuals from Swanscombe, Steinheim, VertesszSllSs, Arago-Tautavel and Ehringsdorf. The present author could not study the find from Petralona either in the original or in cast. Further, there have been used for comparison, finds of Neandertal individuals from Europe and modern man. Os occipitale of Bilzingsleben shows a markedly angled occiput; planum occipitale and planum nuchae form an angle of occipital curvature of 108 ~ Planum occipitale is very low and broad. Torus occipitalis is formed typically, and inion and opisthocranion coincide at its m a x i m u m bulge in the medio-sagittal plane. Planum nuchae is markedly flat with characteristic muscle relief. O n the whole, the occipital bone is rather thickwalled.
244
E. VL~EK Figure 1. Comparison of medio-sagittal sections of occipital bones of finds'of Homo erectus (P IV--Sangiran 17, P II--Pithecanthropus II, Si III--Sinanthropus III, B--Bilzlngsleben,V--Vertessz6116sII) with forms of Homo sapiens from Europe (Sw--Swanscombe, St--Steinheim, E-EhringsdorfH, L-CH--La Chapelle, L-F--La Ferrassie, Ci--Circeo I). P IV
P 11
Si III
B
V
~.
l=Op
,~
"
,*
~~~op~~ ~ l!p_ From a comparison of this Bilzingsleben bone (Figure 1), in the most characteristic medio-sagittal plane, with those of Pithecanthropus (II, IV, V I I I ) , Sinanthropus (III, X, XI, X I I ) and Olduvai hominid 9, we find its morphologically closest resemblance with Sinanthropus I I I and Olduvae 9. Ill comparing Bilzingsleben with the series Homo soloensis (I, V, VI, X, XI) and with the cranium from Broken Hill, we find considerable differences in the morphology of torus occipitalis and in the bone thickness in the region of planum nuchae. The most interesting comparison of the Bilzingsleben individual with Middle Pleistocene finds from Europe has shown that only the find from Vertessz6116s displays certain similarities with the Bilzingsleben individual, in its broken occiput, coincidence of inion and opisthocranion at the lower edge of torus occipitalis, and the flat planum nuchae. The finds from Swanscombe, Steinheim and Ehringsdorf, on the contrary, display basic differences. These finds do not show torus occipitalis, the maximum occipital point does not coincide with inion and the overall shape of the occiput outline is curvo-occipital. Also the bone thickness of the above mentioned finds is less, and the configuration of the occipital parts of the endocast points to Homo sapiens forms.
NEWDISCOVERY OFHOMO ERECTUS
245
Quite similar results are evident from the comparison of Bilzingsleben with the classic Neandertal individuals (La Chapelle, La Ferrassie, Circeo I). In these individuals, too, torus occipitalis is not formed and the most posterior extent of the occipital bone is in the region of planum occipitale, so that iniort and opishocranion are separate. The thickness of the occipital bone in Neandertal individuals is low. Similarly, the Bilzingsleben find was compared also with respect to other morphological features in other norms, measurements, etc. All these comparisons show that in the Bilzingsleben individual the formation of the Bilzingsleben occipital bone agrees well with crania of Homo erectus and that it does not correspond at all with those of Homo sapiens. Figure 2. Comparison of medio-sagittal sections of frontal bones of finds of Homo erectus (P I--Pithecanthropus I, P II--Pithecanthropus II, Si I I - Sinanthropus II, Si III~inanthropns III, P VIII--Sangiran 17, O - Olduvai hominid 9, B--Bilzingsleben) with Homo sapiens forms from Europe (St--Steinheim, A Arago-Tautavel, E--Ehringsdorf I-I, L-CH--La Chapelle, L]F--La Ferrassie, Ci---Cireeo I, R--recent
man).
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T h e significant morphological features on the fragment of frontal bone have b e e n compared in a similar m a n n e r (Figure 2). I n sagittal sections of the glabellar region we have again found the closest similarity with Olduvai 9 and Sangiran 17. T h e early forms of Pithecanthropus and Sinanthropus display a more distinctly arched frontal squama, a n d
246
E. VL~EK
torus supraorbitalis is distinctly separated by the well formed sulcus supraorbitalis. Torus supraorbitalis of the above-mentioned Asian forms shows quite a different shape. In the later forms, such as Pithecanthropus V I I I , the similarity to the Bilzingsleben individual is again considerable. In Homo soloensis, torus supraorbitalis is different in form. Also in the finds from Broken Hill and Saldanha, we find a specific shape of torus supraorbitalis, which is in principle different fi'om the late Pleistocene finds of Homo soloensis and also from the Bilzingsleben individual. O f the European Middle Pleistocene forms, we have at our disposal only the finds from Steinheim and Arago, which show different shapes of the glabellar region. Some finds of Neandertal individuals stand much closer to the Bilzingsleben find. Though the comparison of the glabellar region of frontal bone in the Bilzingsleben find with the above-mentioned finds does not give such clear-cut results as the comparison of the occipital bone, the morphology and massive character of the glabellar region of the frontal bone confirm that Bilzingsleben man belongs to Homo erectus. However, it is evident from both the morphological and metrical analysis that the Bilzingsleben find shows closest similarities with Olduvai hominid 9, considerable similarities with Sangiran 17, and, in the occipital region, a rather accurate likeness to Sinanthropus III. Therefore, we have used this similarity for the demonstration of the probable shape of the neurocranium of Bilzingsleben. Casts of fragments of the frontal and occipital bone were placed in the calvariat casts of Olduvai hominid 9 (Figure 3) Figure 3. Skull fragments of occipital bone BilzingslebenA1 + A2 and of frontal bone B1 inserted in the east of skull Olduvai 9.
andSinanthropusIII. Thus, we have obtained possible variants of the reconstructed braincase of the hominid from Bilzingsleben. We are well informed about the degree of accuracy of such reconstructions, by sagittal sections of reconstructions in comparison with sections of the brain-cases of Olduvai 9 and of Sinanthropus III.
NEW
D I S C O V E R Y O F HOMO ERECTUS
247
4. D i s c u s s i o n
T h e new palaeoanthropological finds made in recent decades in Asia, Africa and particularly in Europe make it possible to supplement the so far indistinct picture of the development of m a n in the Middle Pleistocene of Europe. I n addition to the well known finds from Heidelberg, Swanscombe, Steinheim, Ehringsdorf H, B, C, D and Montmaurin, other important finds have been made recently from Arago-Tautavel, Vertessz6116s, Petralona and most recently, from Bilzingsleben. Individual authors have different opinions as regards the taxonomic classification of a n u m b e r of the finds. Those from Swanscombe and Steinheim are evaluated relatively easily; almost all scholars classify them as Homo sapiens and the phylogenetic race, H. s. steinheimensis. The finds from Arago, together with finds from M o n t m a u r i n and some other finds from South Europe, have been classified provisionally by H. de Lumley as Ante-Neandertal individuals. T h o m a believes that the find from Vertessz6116s belongs to a new sub-species H. erectus seu sapiens palaeohungaricus, n. ssp. Some scholars are of the opinion that this is a Neandertal individual (yon Koenigswald, 1967); others--such as Wolpoff (1971)--believe it is Homo erectus. Similarly, the Petralona find has been classified by m a n y scholars as Neandertal, while some authors think it complies with the taxon Homo erectus (Hemmer, 1972, 1974; Stringer, 1974). No agreed classification of the finds from Ehringsdorf exists, either. At the present time the author of this report is studying the Ehringsdorffinds anew. T h e very first attempt at reconstruction of the calvaria of Ehringsdorf H points quite clearly to an advanced Homo sapiens form (Vl~ek, 1976). As mentioned above, after the analysis and comparison with ancient finds from Europe and middle Pleistocene finds from Africa and Asia, the Bilzingsleben find m a y be classed with Homo erectus (Figure 4). T h e cited finds reveal considerable morphological differences in the evolution of Middle Pleistocene m a n in Europe with regard to the respective stratigraphical position. These differences are further enhanced by the limited information we have at our disposal, resulting from the lack of such remarkable discoveries, and by the incomplete character of the individual finds. We are well aware of such difficulties. Yet, we can state that, at the end of the Holstein interglacial, there existed in Central Europe, side by side, two h u m a n forms, that of Homo erectus and that of Homo sapiens. In the subsequent period of the pemfltimate glacial, we can trace the evolution of m a n in Europe only within the framework of one form--Homo sapiens. I t seems at present that in Europe there is no evidence for the existence and evolution of forms of Homo erectus with a low capacity brain-case, not exceeding 900 cm3), as we know them from Java. Considerably younger Homo erectus forms penetrated to Europe as late as in the Middle Pleistocene, as we can see from the Bilzingsleben and Vertessz6116s finds. T h e brain-case capacity of these forms did not exceed 1000 cm 3. With respect to both the time and morphology, these European forms correspond with the Homo erectus forms from Olduvai in East Africa (hominid 9) as well as with the J a v a finds of type Sangiran 17. H o w do we evaluate today the evolution of m a n in Central Europe? In this territory, m a n ' s evolution was connected with the evolution of populations in South Europe, North and East Africa. Strict taxonomic classification of the European finds from the Middle Pleistocene is very difficult, because their range of morphology changed variously in short time intervals, in individual geographical regions and with differing speeds and
248
E. VL~EK Figure 4. Comparison of mid-sagittal sections of brain-case of finds of Homderectus (Si III--Sinanthropus III, O--Olduvai hominid 9, P V I I I - Sangiran 17) with inserted fragments of the glabellar region of the frontal bone and of the occipital bone of the Bilzingsleben skull (above) and comparison with finds of Homo sapiensfrom Europe (E--Ehringsdorf H A + Sw--Arago + Swanscombe, St--Stelnheim) (below).
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intensity. However, one fact seems to be demonstrable. In the late Holstein period, that is the later period of the Mindel-Riss interglacial, we find forms in central Europe with predominating features of Homo erectus (Bilzingsleben, Vertessz6116s, Petralona), while in western Europe we find forms that show predominating features of Homo sapiens (Swanscombe, Steinheim). In the following, penultimate, glacial period (Riss) and in the penultimate interglacial (Eem/Riss/Wfirm) we find forms of Homo sapiens only, which progressed in at least two qualitatively different specializations. First, we find the evolution in the direction of Neandertal man, as is seen mainly from the Riss finds of the so called ante-Neandertal individuals from south Europe. During subsequent evolution in the last interglacial, these forms represent the so called pre-Neandertal forms, whose Cranial capacity was about 1200 cm 3) (Saccopastore, Gibraltar, G~novce). These forms
N E W D I S C O V E R Y OF HOMO ERECTUS
249
could represent the basis for the evolution of Neandertal individuals called Homo sapiens neanderthalensis in Europe (La Chapelle, La Q uina, Neandertal, Spy, Le Moustier), in the Crimea (Kiik-Koba, Zaskalnaya VI), and in Asia Minor and Central Asia (Tabun, Te~ik-Ta~). Second, in the last Riss-Wfirm interglacial, there existed in Central Europe forms in which we can see progress toward modern man. These are, in the first place, the finds from Weimar-Ehringsdorf H, C, B and D. In additiort to the typical Homo sapiens occiput and the arched frontal squama as well as marked torus supraorbitalis, these forms show yet another feature typical of Homo sapiens--a typical tuber parietale. For the first time we find here a brain-case of the modern type. During subsequent development these forms progressed quite clearly towards modern man. At the end of the last interglacial and in the first half of the last glacial period--the Wfirm--we find in Central Europe Homo sapiens forms that are called provisionally "transitional" Neandertal individuals (Ochoz, Sipka, K~lna, Sala and Subalyuk). These central European finds correspond, with respect to time as well as morphology, with the forms from Asia Minor called Homo sapiens palestinensis (Shanidar, Amud, Galilea, Skhul and Kafzeh). Another group is represented by the finds from Krapina. These phylogenetic races of Homo sapiens then contributed, each with its own share, to the appearance of modern man. 5. D e t e r m i n a t i o n
of a New Taxon
Because we consider as a sufficiently proven fact that the Bilzingsleben man belongs to the species Homo erectus, we have determined for the Bilzingsleben man the taxon n. ssp. Homo erectus bilzingslebenensis, as a phylogenetic race of Homo erectus in Europe that is contemporary with forms of Homo sapiens described as the phylogenetic race of Homo
sapiens steinheimensis. Taxon: Homo erectus bilzingslebenensis n. ssp. Locality: Locality called "Steinrinne", 1 km south of the village Bilzingsleben, district Artern, region Halle/Saale, the German Democratic Republic. Geographically, this locality is on the north-eastern border of the Thtiringen-Basin (Thtiringer Becken). Provenance: It is on the base of a travertine complex situated upon a 30 m terrace of the Wipper River. Dating: (1) Geological. The 30 m terrace corresponds to the upper stage of the middle terrace of Thfiringen, which was created at the end of the Elster/Mindel glaciation. The travertine complex lying upon it belongs to the Holstein] Mindel/Riss interglacial. (2) Fauna: Palaeoloxodon antiquus, Parelephas trogontherii, Dicerorhinus kirchbergensis, Equus, Bos, Bison, Cervus elaphus, Capreolus, Cervidae, Sus scrofa, Ursus, Felis silvestris, Castor fiber and Trogontherium cuvieri. (3) Flora: Tilia cordata, Acer campestre, Quercus, Corylus aveUana, Pyracantha coccinea and Buxus sempervirens. (4) Mollusca: Helix pomatia, Capaea nemoralis, Capaea hortensis, Azeka menkeana, Aegopis verticillus and Paladillia (Belgrandia) marginata. Culture: Microlithic Clactonian flake industry made of flint, choppers and chopping tools made of quartzite (Muschelkalk), crystalline, hoe-shaped and club-shaped tools (Hiebger/ite) made of antlers, and large series of retouched bone tools.
250
E. VL~EK
Finds o f man: A1 + A2 os occipitale, B1 + B2 os frontale. Name o f sub-species: H.e. bilzingslebenensis; selected a c c o r d i n g to the c o m m u n i t y Bilzingsleben, in whose c a d a s t r e the locality is s i t u a t e d " S t e i n r i n n e " .
of
6. C o n c l u s i o n s
(1) T h e skull fragments o f the Bilzingsleben m a n c a n be classified, as far as the m o r p h o l o g y is c o n c e r n e d , as b e l o n g i n g to the forms of Homo erectus. (2) T h e closest analogies w i t h respect to the m i d d l e Pleistocene finds of fossil m a n have been found in O l d u v a i h o m i n i d 9, S a n g i r a n 17, a n d in the configuration o f the occipital p a r t o f Sinanthropus I I I . C e r t a i n differences from the A s i a n forms of Homo erectus m a y b e considered as a g e o g r a p h i c expression o f the v a r i a b i l i t y of Homo erectus forms in E u r o p e . (3) F o r the a b o v e reasons there was established the t a x o n n. ssp. Homo erectus bilzingslebenensis. (4) T h e find f r o m Bilzingsleben, w h i c h represents the forms o f Homo erectus, provides evidence o f c o n t e m p o r a r y existence o f two m o r p h o l o g i c a l l y different species o f m a n in the m i d d l e Pleistocene in Europe. T h e s e are t h e forms of Homo ereetus, r e p r e s e n t e d b y finds from Bilzingsleben a n d Vertessz6116s, a n d the forms o f Homo sapiens, r e p r e s e n t e d b y t h e p h y l o g e n e t i c r a c e of Homo sapiens steinheimensis w i t h finds from S t e i n h e i m a n d S w a n s c o m b e . I n this p a p e r the a u t h o r w o u l d like to inform his colleagues a b o u t the p r e l i m i n a r y results of m o r p h o l o g i c a l a n d t a x o n o m i c a l analysis of h u m a n skeletal r e m a i n s from the M i d d l e Pleistocene site a t Bilzingsleben, t h a t have b e e n u n c o v e r e d so far. W e a r e f i r m l y c o n v i n c e d t h a t further systematic a n d c o m p r e h e n s i v e search a t the site will b r i n g to light m o r e finds t h a t will e x t e n d o u r k n o w l e d g e a b o u t the e v o l u t i o n a r y forms o f E u r o p e a n m a n in the Pleistocene. References
Grimm, H. & Mania, D. (1976). Bilzingsleben B--eln weiterer mittelpleistozfiner Hominiden-Fund aus dem Elbe-Saale-Gebiet. Biologische Rundschau 14, 155-156. Grimm, H., Mania, D. & Toepfer, V. (1974). Ein neuer Hominidenfund in Europa-Nachtrag zum Vorbericht fiber Bilzingsleben. Kr. Artern. Z. Archi~ol. 8, 175-176. Hemmer, H. 1972). Notes sur la position phyl6tique de l'homme de Petralona. L'Anthropologle 76, 155-162. Koenigswald, G. H. R. yon (1967). Neue Dokumente zur menschlichen Stammesgeschichte. Ecologae Geologicae Helvetiae 60, 641-655. Mania, D. (1974). Bilzingsleben, Kr. Artern--Eine altpal~iolithische Travertinstelle im n6rdlichen Mitteleuropa (Vorbericht). Z. Arehaol. 8, 157-173. Mania, D. (1975). Bilzingsleben (Thfiringen): Eine neue altpal/iollthische Fundstelle mit Knoehenresten des Homo erectus. ArchiiologischesKorespondenzblatt 5~ 263-272. Mania, D. L. (1976a). Altpalgolithischer Rastplatz mit Hominidenresten aus dem Mittelpheistoz~in Travertin-Komplex yon BiIzlngsleben (DDR). IX" Congrgs des U I des So. Prghistoriques et Protohistoriques, Colloque IX, Nice 1976, 35-45. Mania, D. (1976b). Altpal~iolithische Travertinstelle bei Bilzingsleben. Kr. Artern. Ausgrabungen und Funde 21, 24-26. Mania, D. & Grimm, H. (1974). Bilzingsleben, Kr. Artern--eine pal~io6kologisch aufschlussreiche Fundstelle des Altpal/iolithikums mit Hominiden-Fund. Biologische Rundschau 12, 361-364. Mania, D., Grimm, H. & Vlcek, E. (1976). Ein weiterer Hominidenfund arts dem mittelpleistoziinen Travertinkomplex bei Bilzingsleben. Kr. Artern. Z. Archiiol. 10, 241-249. Mania, D. Vl~ek, E. (1977). Altpal~iolithische Funde mit Homo erectus von Bilzingsleben (DDR). Archeologickg rozhledy, 29, 603-616
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Stringer, C. B. (1974). A multivariate study of the Petralona skull. Journal of Human Evolution 3, 397-404. Vt~:ek, E. (1975a). Zur Taxonomic und Differenzialdiagnostik der Homlniden-Resten aus Bilzingsleben. Vortrag zum X I I L Kongres der tscheehoslowakischen Anthropologen in Brno, 2 September 1975. Vl~ek, E. (1975)b). Zu den mittelpleistoz~inen Hominiden-Funden yon Bilzingsleben. Vortrag zum Wiss. Koll. "'Die Stellung des Fundortes Bilzingsleben in derfriihen Altsteinzeit Europas" in HaUe[Saale, 12 October 1975. Vl~ek, E. (1976). Die biologische Variabilit~it beim mittelplelstoz~inen Menschen Europas. Vortrag zur 14. Arbeitstagung der Biol. Ges. der DDR, Sektion Anthropologie in Jena, 13 October 1976. Vlfiek, E. & Mania, D. (1977). Ein neuer Fund yon Homo erectus in Europa Bilzingsleben (DDR). Anthropologie (Brno), 15, 159-169. Wolpoff, M. H. (1971). Is Vertessz6116s II an occipital of European Homo ereetus? Nature 232, 567-568.