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A hominid tibia from Middle Pleistocene sediments at Boxgrove, UK
M B Roberts1, C B Stringer, S A Parfitt
1Field Archaeology Unit, University College London, UK.
Nature
|May 26, 1994
Summary
The discovery of a human tibia at the Boxgrove site provides the oldest hominid fossil from the British Isles. This Homo cf. heidelbergensis tibia offers insights into early Acheulian industries in Europe.
Area of Science:
- Paleoanthropology
- Archaeology
- Geology
Background:
- Fossil hominids from Europe's earlier Middle Pleistocene are scarce, with the Mauer mandible (500 kyr) being the oldest known.
- The Lower Palaeolithic site of Boxgrove, UK, has yielded significant archaeological findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the discovery of a human tibia at the Boxgrove site.
- To date the fossil and associated artifacts.
- To provide insights into early hominid populations in Europe.
Main Methods:
- Excavation of calcareous silts at the Boxgrove site.
- Mammalian biostratigraphy for correlating silt units.
- Paleontological analysis of fossil remains.
Main Results:
- A massive human tibia was discovered in association with stone tools.
- The tibia is the oldest hominid fossil found in the British Isles.
- The fossil is assigned to Homo cf. heidelbergensis and is coeval with the Mauer mandible.
Conclusions:
- The Boxgrove tibia represents a significant addition to the European Middle Pleistocene hominid fossil record.
- This discovery provides the first direct evidence of the hominids responsible for early Acheulian industries in Europe.