THE MIDDLE PLEISTOCENE HUMAN TIBIA FROM BOXGROVE

The Boxgrove tibia was discovered in 1993, associated with Middle Plei stocene fauna, and Lower Palaeolithic archaeology. The sediments at Bo xgrove were deposited during a temperate interglacial. episode and ens uing cold stage. They thus represent a wide range of modes and environ ments of deposition. Archaeological remains have been excavated from a ll the major stratigraphic units, giving a continuity of occupation fo r this part of southern England over a 10(4) year timescale, through m arkedly changing climatic regimes. The stratigraphic, archaeological a nd sedimentological contexts of the tibia are described, as well as it s preservation and morphology. Measurements are given, with discussion of reconstructed bone length, and stature estimates. Comparative meas urements are provided for fossil and recent human samples: the large d imensions of its diaphysis place the Boxgrove tibia near or beyond the upper size limits of the comparative samples, but its reconstructed l ength and estimated stature are less exceptional. The elevated robusti city of the specimen indicates exceptional diaphyseal strength and/or cold adapted body proportions paralleling those of the Neanderthals. D isagreement about the taxonomy of Middle Pleistocene hominids and lack of comparable fossil material make a specific assignment for the Boxg rove tibia problematic. The tibia can only definitely be assigned to n on-modern Homo sp., with possible further reference to Homo cf. heidel bergensis (Schoetensack, 1908) on temporal and geographic grounds, if the validity of that species is accepted. (C) 1998 Academic Press Limi ted.