A GRADIENT OF SIZE AND SHAPE FOR THE ATAPUERCA SAMPLE AND MIDDLE PLEISTOCENE HOMINID VARIABILITY

The Atapuerca sample reveals thar differential development of morpholo gy of distinct areas of the mandible gives rise to a spectrum of morph ology which virtually encompasses the entire range of variability dete cted in European Middle Pleistocene samples. Two new mandibles collect ed at Atapuerca SH site (Spain) give new insight into this matter. Spe cimen AT-950 demonstrates that there is a continuum between the peculi ar morphology of Mauer and other Middle Pleistocene specimens. Specime n AT-888 increases the size range, and also sheds light on the signifi cance of traits such as the retromolar space and the position of the m ental foramen. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.