Dmanisi: A Taxonomic Revolution

Title

Dmanisi: A Taxonomic Revolution

Author

Joshua L Henderson

Faculty Sponsor

Robin Smith

Abstract

Over the past two decades, five different skulls have been found in the Dmanisi site located in the Republic of Georgia. These skulls are all very different in cranial features, but they are also some of the most complete and well preserved hominin skulls ever discovered. There is a major concern with these skulls, and with concern also comes controversy. We know that Homo erectus migrated from Africa into Eurasia. That is why some paleoanthropologists believe that, despite the cranial differences, the skulls found at the Dmanisi site all belong to Homo erectus. They claim that skeletal variations are common in a single species in multiple geographical locations. The opposing theory is that the remains seem to have both characteristics of Homo habilis and Homo erectus. They propose a new species called Homo georgicus, that fits between Homo habilis and Homo erectus. Using comparative analysis, I will demonstrate that the remains found at Dmanisi are in fact Homo erectus, and that the species as a whole contained many variable skeletal features throughout various populations, challenging current taxonomy and placing many species of Homo in the new Homo erectus spectrum.

Subject

Archaeological Anthropology

Biological and Physical Anthropology

Dmanisi

Paleoanthropology

Archaeology

Biological Anthropology

Homo erectus

physical anthropology

Rights

Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 06/01/2023, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.

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Type

Text

volume

4

Date Published

5/29/2015

Note

Robin Smith

Alternative Title

Dmanisi

Identifier

pure/vol4/iss1/4

Language

eng