Bodo Cranium

''Homo bodoensis'' is the species name for extinct archaic humans that lived during the Chibanian (770–126 ka) in Africa. It relies on the fossil specimen known as Bodo cranium, which was discovered in 1976 from the Awash River in Ethiopia and is estimated to have lived around 500,000 years ago. Following the comparative analysis of the fossil with those of other ''Homo'' falling on the same geological age, the name was formally introduced in 2021.

Based on the confusing usage of scientific names for different hominin specimens of the Chibanian, a research team led by Mirjana Roksandic at the University of Winnipeg, Canada, proposed in ''Evolutionary Anthropology'' that ''H. bodoensis'' should be used as an umbrella name for all species of the same age in Africa, including ''H. rhodesiensis'' and ''H. heidelbergensis.'' But not all scientists agree. British paleoanthropologist Chris Stringer argued that the name cannot replace ''H. rhodesiensis'' to which Bodo cranium is assigned since ''H. rhodesiensis'' (described by Arthur Smith Woodward in 1921) had been formally accepted.

Naming

The name of the genus ''Homo'' is derived from , for human. The specific epithet ''bodoensis'' refers to the site Bodo D'ar in the Afar Depression (Ethiopia), where the type specimen Bodo cranium (Bodo 1) was discovered in 1976. ''Homo bodoensis'' therefore means "human from Bodo".

Bodo cranium

The Bodo cranium is a fossil of an extinct type of hominin species. It was found by members of an expedition led by Jon Kalb in 1976. The Rift Valley Research Mission conducted a number of surveys that led to the findings of Acheulean tools and animal fossils, as well as the Bodo Cranium. The initial discovery was by Alemayhew Asfaw and Charles Smart, who found a lower face. Two weeks later, Paul Whitehead and Craig Wood found the upper portion of the face. Pieces of the cranium were discovered along the surface of one of the dry branches of the Awash River in Ethiopia. The cranium, artifacts, and other animal fossils were found over a relatively large area of medium sand, and only a few of the tools were found near the cranium. The skull is 600,000 years old and is now the type specimen of ''Homo bodoensis''.
(formerly ''Homo heidelbergensis'' / ''Homo rhodesiensis'').

Observation

This specimen has an unusually large cranial capacity for its age that is estimated at around 1250 cc (in the range between ~1,200–1,325 cc)
within the (lower) range of modern ''Homo sapiens''.
The cranium includes the face, much of the frontal bone, parts of the midvault and the base anterior to the foramen magnum. The cranial length, width and height are 21 cm (8.3 in), 15.87 cm (6.2 in) and 19.05 cm (7.5 in) respectively. Researchers have suggested that Bodo butchered animals because Acheulean hand axes and cleavers, along with animal bones, were found at the site. Cuts on the Bodo cranium show the earliest evidence of removal of flesh immediately after the death of an individual using a stone tool. The findings of symmetrical cut marks with specific patterns and directionality on the cranium serve as strong evidence that de-fleshing was done purposefully for mortuary practices and represents the earliest evidence of non-utilitarian mortuary practices. The cut marks were located "laterally among the maxilla" causing speculation among researchers that the specific reason for de-fleshing was to remove the mandible.

Morphology

The front of the Bodo cranium is very broad and supports large supraorbital structures. The supraorbital torus projects and is heavily constructed, especially in the central parts of the cranium. The Glabella is rounded and projects strongly. Like Homo erectus, the braincase is low and archaic in appearance. The vault bones are also thick like Homo erectus specimens. Due to the large cranial capacity, there is a wider midvault which includes signs of parietal bossing as well as a high contour of the temporal squama. The parietal length can’t be accurately determined because that section of the specimen is incomplete. Though the mastoid is missing, insights regarding the specimen can be determined using fragments from the individual collected at the scene in 1981. The cranium’s parietal walls expand relative to the bitemporal width in a way that is characteristic of modern humans. The squamosal suture has a high arch which is present in modern human craniums as well.

Evolutionary Significance

The cranium has an unusual appearance, which has led to debates over its taxonomy. It displays both primitive and derived features, such as a cranial capacity more similar to modern humans and a projecting supraorbital torus more like ''Homo erectus''. Bodo and other Mid-Pleistocene hominin fossils appear to represent a lineage between ''Homo erectus'' and anatomically modern humans, although its exact location in the human evolutionary tree is still uncertain. Due to the similarities to both Homo erectus and modern humans, it has been postulated that the Bodo cranium, as well as other members of Homo heidelbergensis were part of a group of hominins that evolved distinct from Homo erectus early in the Middle Pleistocene. Despite the similarities, there is still a question of where exactly Homo heidelbergensis evolved. The increased encephalization seen in fossils like the Bodo cranium is thought to have been a driving force in the speciation of anatomically modern humans.

Similarities Between Bodo Cranium and Kabwe Cranium

Both the Bodo cranium and the Kabwe cranium share a number of similarities. Both have cranial capacities similar to, but on the low end of the range of modern humans(1250cc vs 1230cc). Both craniums have a very large supraorbital torus. These two features together suggest that they are a link between ''Homo erectus'' and ''Homo sapiens''. While there has been a recent push to update the Bodo Cranium classification to ''Homo bodoensis,'' it is clear that the morphology and the taxonomy are most similar to other specimens of type ''Homo heidelbergensis.'' Both the Bodo and Kabwe specimens can be described as archaic because they retain certain features in common with Homo erectus. However, both exhibit important differences from Homo erectus in their anatomy, such as the contour of their parietals, the shape of their temporal bones, the cranial base, and the morphology of their nose and palate. While there are many similarities, there are a few differences between the specimens, including the entire brow of the Bodo cranium, particularly the lateral segments, which are less thick than the Kabwe specimen.

Criticism

Immediately after the publication of the species name, the British paleoanthropologist Chris Stringer - a specialist in the relationships between Neanderthals and ''Homo sapiens'' - criticized the proposed departure from ''Homo heidelbergensis'' and the introduction of a new species name in ''New Scientist''. He does agree with the objection that too many and too different fossils of ''Homo heidelbergensis'' have been made; it is appropriate to assign only those European finds to ''Homo heidelbergensis'' that have a clear similarity to the lower jaw of Mauer, for example the lower jaw of Mala Balanica, but not fossils from Africa. According to the requirements of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, a species name that has already been introduced always has priority over a later one. Therefore, the designation ''Homo rhodesiensis'' takes precedence over ''Homo bodoensis''. In this context, Stringer rejected the claim that the species name ''rhodesiensis'' honored Cecil Rhodes. In fact, it is a reference to the site in what was then Northern Rhodesia. But even if one wanted to avoid the reference to Rhodesia, the name ''Homo saldanensis'' chosen for the skull roof Saldanha 1 in 1955 would have priority over ''Homo bodoensis''. Finally, Stringer also pointed out that the face of the Bodo skull had features that speak for its own evolutionary path and make it appear doubtful that it was a direct ancestor of ''Homo sapiens''.

See also

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References

External links

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{{Taxonbar, from=Q109302884

Fossil taxa described in 2021
Humans
Early species of Homo