Hofmeyr: A Late Pleistocene Human Skull from South Africa (Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology)

This edited volume provides the historical and geological background, as well as the details pertaining to the morphology and morphometric assessments, of a singular human cranial specimen from the Late Pleistocene discovered in Hofmeyr, South Africa. The chapters are divided into 4 main sections. Section 1 discusses the discovery and historical context of the skull, while section 2 addresses its geological and geochronological contexts through dating and stable isotope analyses. Section 3 details the general morphological and morphometric analyses (description, 3-D reconstruction, morphological comparisons), and section 4 details the specific morphological analyses performed (inner ear, dentition, endocranial morphology and size). The volume will be of interest to professional and student paleoanthropologists interested in the later phases of human evolution. Foreword Preface Contents Contributors 1 Introduction: The Fossil Record of Homo sapiens in Africa – Morphological Variability in the Late Quaternary and the Significance of the Hofmeyr Skull Abstract Acknowledgements References Background and History 2 Lost and Found: The Discovery and Rediscovery of the Hofmeyr Skull Abstract Introduction The Discovery The First Analyses The Rediscovery Hofmeyr and Changing Methods in the Study of Human Origins Acknowledgements References 3 Genetic Divergence Within Southern Africa During the Later Stone Age Abstract Introduction The Cradle of Modern Humans Click-Speaking Hunter-Gatherers Within Africa Substructure Among the Khoe-San Late Holocene Gene Flow Future Directions Acknowledgements References 4 Geological Setting of the Hofmeyr Locality Abstract Introduction Geography Basement Geology Karoo Supergroup Karoo Bedrock Minerology Gondwana Breakup Post-breakup Southern Africa Cenozoic Geology Conclusions Acknowledgements References 5 Isotopic Evidence for the Geographic Origin, Movement and Diet of the Hofmeyr Individual Abstract Introduction Background Strontium Isotopes Oxygen Isotopes Carbon Isotopes Geology Methods Hofmeyr Skull Samples Bioavailable Strontium Isotope Study Results Bioavailable Strontium Study Strontium of the Hofmeyr Specimen Carbon, Oxygen, and Nitrogen of the Hofmeyr Specimen Enamel Structure and Crown Development in Hofmeyr Discussion Bioavailable Strontium Isotope Distributions in the Karoo Potential Origin and Movements of the Hofmeyr Individual Dietary Ecology and Paleoclimate Conclusion Notes Acknowledgements References Morphological and Morphometric Analyses of the Skull as a Whole 6 Description and Comparative Morphology of the Hofmeyr Skull Abstract Introduction Comparative Samples Holocene and Recent Humans Late Pleistocene Humans Background Preservation, Damage and Reconstruction Ontogenetic Age of the Skull Evidence from the Dentition Evidence from Cranial Suture Fusion The Neurocranium Neurocranial Size and Shape Individual Components of the Neurocranium Frontal Parietal Temporal The Face Overall Facial Size and Shape Individual Components of the Face The Circumorbital Region The Midface The Mandibular Ramus The Dentition Comparisons Summary Acknowledgements Appendix 6.A1 References 7 The Position of the Hofmeyr Skull within Late Pleistocene and Holocene African Regional Diversity: 2D and 3D Morphometric Analyses Abstract Introduction Case Study One Materials and Methods Results of Case Study One Discussion of Case Study One Case Study Two Material and Methods Results of Case Study Two Discussion of Case Study Two Comparison of the Two Case Studies and Conclusions Implications for Hypotheses About Population History Acknowledgements Appendix 7.A1 References 8 Cranial Form of the Hofmeyr Skull: Comparative 3D Geometric Morphometrics Abstract Introduction Material and Methods Results Discussion Acknowledgements References Morphological and Morphometric Analyses of Particular Aspects of the Skull 9 The Endocast of the Late Pleistocene Human Skull from Hofmeyr Abstract Introduction Methods and Comparative Material The Comparative Sample Reconstruction of the Hofmeyr Endocast Analytical Procedures Morphological Description of the Hofmeyr Endocast Hofmeyr Endocranial Volume Comparisons of Endocranial Shape Hofmeyr and Present-Day Humans Hofmeyr and Other Fossils Conclusions Acknowledgements References 10 The Hofmeyr Bony Labyrinth: Morphological Description and Affinity Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results Univariate and Bivariate Analyses Multivariate Analyses Discussion and Conclusions Acknowledgements Appendix 10.A1 References 11 The Paranasal Sinuses of the Hofmeyr Cranium Abstract Introduction Background Frontal Sinus Anatomy Maxillary Sinus Anatomy Frontal and Maxillary Sinuses in Paleoanthropology Materials and Methods MicroCT Scanning and Visualization of the Hofmeyr Paranasal Sinuses Determination of Hofmeyr Sinus Volumes and Linear Dimensions An Overview of Analytical Comparisons Results – the Frontal Sinus Frontal Sinuses of the Hofmeyr Cranium Comparisons with Previously Published Data Results – the Maxillary Sinus The Maxillary Sinus of the Hofmeyr Cranium Comparisons with Previously Published Data Discussion Maxillary Sinus Size Frontal Sinus Size Methodological Considerations and Future Directions Conclusion Acknowledgements References 12 The Dentition of the Hofmeyr Skull Abstract Introduction Hofmeyr: Preservation and Damage Morphological Observations from the 1965 Photographs Tooth Wear Maxillary Midline Diastema Morphological Observations on the Existing Teeth M2 Crown Morphology M2 Roots M3 Crown Morphology M3 Roots M3 Pulp Chamber M3 Crown Morphology M3 Enamel M3 Root M3 Pulp Chamber Molar Size and Shape Comparisons of MD and BL Crown Diameters Comparisons of Crown and Cervical Diameters Discussion Conclusion Acknowledgements References Summary Perspective on Hofmeyr 13 Hofmeyr: A Summary Perspective on the Context and Morphology of a Late Pleistocene Human Skull from South Africa Abstract Introduction The Significance of MIS 3 – Environmental Variability The Significance of MIS 3 – Archaeological Variability The Significance of MIS 3 – The Scanty Human Fossil Record Part I Part II Part III Conclusion Acknowledgements References 14 Correction to: Hofmeyr: A Late Pleistocene Human Skull from South Africa, Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology Correction to: F. E. Grine (ed.), Hofmeyr: A Late Pleistocene Human Skull from South Africa, Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07426-4 464135_1_En_BookBackmatter_OnlinePDF