Preliminary observations on the BK 8518 mandible from Baringo, Kenya

A newly discovered adult hominid mandible (BK 8518) from Baringo, Kenya, is described and assessed. The corpus, many of the tooth crowns, and most of the left ascending ramus are preserved. The teeth are heavily and asymmetrically worn. Compared with BK 67 (the 1966 mandible) the body of BK 8518 is more robust; the internal symphyseal buttressing is more pronounced; the M3s have seven cusps and exceed the M2s in size. There are no compelling reasons, however, to attribute the two mandibles to different taxa and, in view of the lack of any comprehensive taxonomic diagnosis for Homo erectus, "erectus-like," and habiline mandibular remains, the new specimen is also best regarded as Homo sp. indet. (aff. erectus).