Sinanthropus

Sinanthropus (from Sino-, "China", and anthro-, "man") is an archaic genus in the scientific classification system to which the early hominid fossils of Peking man, Lantian Man, Nanjing Man, and Yuanmou Man were once assigned. Both have now been reclassified as Homo erectus, and the genus Sinanthropus is disused.[1] Beginning in the year 1928 to the year 1937, there were 14 fragmented skulls belonging to the hominids found in various locations in China[2]. Peking and Chou K’ou-tien are two notable places with fossils found. It has been noted by researchers that it is likely that the fragmented skulls found were brought to the cave after being severed from the bodies they belonged to[3]. This is very probable because of among the pieces found, most are teeth and jaw. Some skulls are missing large parts which indicates separation before they were fossilized, not the loss of pieces due to fossilization process[4].


Illustration of Peking Man

Sinanthropus contained four species:

  • Peking Man — Sinanthropus pekinensis (currently Homo erectus pekinensis)
  • Lantian Man — Sinanthropus lantianensis (currently Homo erectus lantianensis)
  • Nanjing Man — Sinanthropus nankinensis (currently Homo erectus nankinensis)
  • Yuanmou Man — Sinanthropus yuanmouensis (currently Homo erectus yuanmouensis)
Homo erectus pekinensis

Features

At the time, the Sinanthropus were distinguished by the massiveness of the bone fragments that were found[5]. The average cranial capacity found was measured at around 1075cc[6]. More specificities described by researchers indicated that Sinanthropus has a different jaw than found in gorillas, similar cranial size to Pithecanthropus, and smaller molars than those found in Pithecanthropus[7]. Researchers were also able to conclude that the teeth found were larger in comparison to Neanderthal men found at the time and the upper canine was long, wide, and similar to that of a tusk[8]. The difference in teeth size created variability among the genus.

Controversy

In the 1930s, papers were published regarding the Sinanthropus and they sought to examine the new hominids and their similar features to other discovered hominids. Dr. Weidenreich was a well-known contributor who was also received blame for a controversy surrounding Sinanthropus. He wrote a research paper about the similarities found in Sinanthropus and Pithecanthropus, where he mentioned the cranial size, jaw proportions and teeth size[9]. Another researcher took an opposing stand and stated that Sinanthropus was “clearly Neanderthaloid”[10]. These two conversations may be responsible for sparking the question revolving if the Sinanthropus was even to be considered a genus[11].

References
  1. "The mandibles of Sinanthropus pekinensis (Peking Man)".
  2. Hooton, E. A. (1944). "The skull of sinanthropus pekinensis; A comparative study on a primitive hominid skull. By Franz Weidenreich. Palaeontologica Sinica, New Series D. no. 10, Whole Series no. 127, 1943, xxi + 298 pp., 38 tables, 93 figures, 245 references, index". American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 2 (3): 317–319. doi:10.1002/ajpa.1330020308. ISSN 0002-9483.
  3. Weidenreich, Franz (2009-05-29). "The Sinanthropus Population of Choukoutien (Locality 1) with a Preliminary Report on New Discoveries: Weidenreich- Sinanthropus Population of Choukoutien". Bulletin of the Geological Society of China. 14 (4): 427–468. doi:10.1111/j.1755-6724.1935.mp14004001.x.
  4. Weidenreich, Franz (2009-05-29). "The Sinanthropus Population of Choukoutien (Locality 1) with a Preliminary Report on New Discoveries: Weidenreich- Sinanthropus Population of Choukoutien". Bulletin of the Geological Society of China. 14 (4): 427–468. doi:10.1111/j.1755-6724.1935.mp14004001.x.
  5. Hooton, E. A. (1944). "The skull of sinanthropus pekinensis; A comparative study on a primitive hominid skull. By Franz Weidenreich. Palaeontologica Sinica, New Series D. no. 10, Whole Series no. 127, 1943, xxi + 298 pp., 38 tables, 93 figures, 245 references, index". American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 2 (3): 317–319. doi:10.1002/ajpa.1330020308. ISSN 0002-9483.
  6. Hooton, E. A. (1944). "The skull of sinanthropus pekinensis; A comparative study on a primitive hominid skull. By Franz Weidenreich. Palaeontologica Sinica, New Series D. no. 10, Whole Series no. 127, 1943, xxi + 298 pp., 38 tables, 93 figures, 245 references, index". American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 2 (3): 317–319. doi:10.1002/ajpa.1330020308. ISSN 0002-9483.
  7. Von Koenigswald, G. H. R.; Bandoeng; Weidenreich, Franz (1939). "The Relationship between Pithecanthropus and Sinanthropus". Nature. 144 (3657): 926–929. doi:10.1038/144926a0. ISSN 0028-0836.
  8. Weidenreich, Franz (2009-05-29). "The Sinanthropus Population of Choukoutien (Locality 1) with a Preliminary Report on New Discoveries: Weidenreich- Sinanthropus Population of Choukoutien". Bulletin of the Geological Society of China. 14 (4): 427–468. doi:10.1111/j.1755-6724.1935.mp14004001.x.
  9. Von Koenigswald, G. H. R.; Bandoeng; Weidenreich, Franz (1939). "The Relationship between Pithecanthropus and Sinanthropus". Nature. 144 (3657): 926–929. doi:10.1038/144926a0. ISSN 0028-0836.
  10. Hooton, E. A. (1944). "The skull of sinanthropus pekinensis; A comparative study on a primitive hominid skull. By Franz Weidenreich. Palaeontologica Sinica, New Series D. no. 10, Whole Series no. 127, 1943, xxi + 298 pp., 38 tables, 93 figures, 245 references, index". American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 2 (3): 317–319. doi:10.1002/ajpa.1330020308. ISSN 0002-9483.
  11. Hooton, E. A. (1944). "The skull of sinanthropus pekinensis; A comparative study on a primitive hominid skull. By Franz Weidenreich. Palaeontologica Sinica, New Series D. no. 10, Whole Series no. 127, 1943, xxi + 298 pp., 38 tables, 93 figures, 245 references, index". American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 2 (3): 317–319. doi:10.1002/ajpa.1330020308. ISSN 0002-9483.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.