The Evolution of Homo Erectus: Comparative Anatomical Studies of an Extinct Human Species

The first discoveries of Homo erectus were made in Java late in the 19th century. Since then many fossils have come to light in Africa as well as Asia. Homo erectus seems to have evolved in Africa before spreading to other regions of the Old World. This occurred over a long period of time, during which the populations changed relatively little. Only towards the close of the middle Pleistocene are there signs of change in evolutionary tempo leading to the appearance of more advanced humans. This book provides a wealth of information about individual crania, jaws and postcranial remains and will serve as an important guide to the anatomy of Homo erectus. It also documents the history of this extinct human species and suggests a route whereby Homo erectus may have given rise to people more like Homo sapiens.