KXBWE (BROKEN HILL) 109
(Neanderthals and Ngandong were others) descended
from Homo erectus. Rightmire (1976) also concluded
that the Kabwe cranium represented a primitive sub-
species of Homo sapiens, whereas Brauer (1984) placed
it in an “early archaic Homo sapiens” group. Broadly
speaking, this is the favored current allocation for the
Kabwe cranium, except among the growing number
who see this fossil as belonging to a separate species,
Homo heidelbergensis, which also includes such fossils
as the Arago, Petralona, and Bod0 crania. However,
McBrearty and Brooks (2000) have recently revived
the name Homo rhodesiensis. Holloway (2000) reports
a cranial capacity of 1285 ml.
MORPHOLOGY
Described are the “Rhodesian Man” cranium (Kabwe 1)
and the maxilla of a second individual.Kabwe 1
Cranium, largely complete but missing part of R side
of vault and base. Preserved parts of crowns of
LI1-M3 and RI1 and C-M3 are broken, extremely
worn, or extensively carious.
In side profile, frontal rise is long and low; it de-
parts from a moderately prominent glabella and a long,
barely excavated postglabellar sulcus, and continues to
the very posteriorly placed bregma (lying above audi-
tory meatus and just beyond point of maximum rise).
Profile then descends in straight line to region above
asterion, where angle changes to descend more steeply
to lambda. Occipital region bulges at lambda; profile
then descends almost vertically to the broken region
just above the superior nuchal line. In front of superior
nuchal line, nuchal plane is long and almost horizon-
tal. In front view, thick supraorbital tori are confluent
across glabella; although thinning slightly laterally, tori
still massive, dominating upper face. Upper face ap-
pears larger than the still relatively large face below.
From above, long cranial sides curve in from widest
point (above asterion) to moderate postorbital con-
striction; supraorbital margins curve back slightly from
broad, swollen, minimally protruding glabellar region.
Close to glabella, the blunt anterior supraorbital mar-
gins are almost invisible from above; they become
more apparent laterally as their flat surfaces smoothly
and continuously twist to face more upward. From be-
hind, side walls of neurocranium are relatively tall,
slightly inwardly tilting, with strong curve high up on
parietals toward smoothly and gently peaked midline.
Supraorbital tori massive, confluent across gla-
bella, and entirely confined to frontal (they overhang
the zygoma but do not continue on to it). Supraorbital
tori very tall s/i; they are tallest at midorbit (rising
quite high above glabellar region), with modest taper-
ing laterally. Tori and glabella do not protrude much
anteriorly. Frontal slightly keeled. Tori have rather flat
anterior surfaces that twist outward and backward
from glabella. Inferior margins of tori distended down-
ward around their midpoints, with shallow notches
medially placed. Interorbital space very broad. Orbits
subsquare, with downward and outwardly sloping infe-
rior margins (“aviator glasses” shape). Orbital roofs
moderately concave and continue smoothly into ante-
rior supraorbital surfaces. Lacrimal fossae short and
rounded; they are very constricted but well excavated,
with elevated posterior lacrimal crests. Fossae rounded
superiorly but do not taper, giving oval outline. Medial
orbital walls puffy above lacrimal fossae. No infraor-
bital groove, due to apparent lateral displacement of
infraorbital nerve and artery (which were probably em-
bedded in lateral orbital wall, just above inferior orbital
fissure). On L is one and on R possibly two foramina,
which may connect with infraorbital foramina. Large
infraorbital foramina medially oriented.
Region below nasion depressed; further below, re-
gion markedly swollen out, with inflation of inferior
part of nasal bones and frontal processes of maxillae,
including inferior margin of orbit. Slight depression
lies below moderately large, downwardly pointing
infraorbital foramina. Nasal aperture and lower face
relatively small compared to face as a whole (even
though maxillae massive and nasal aperture are ab-
solutely quite large). Lateral margins of nasal aperture
sharp but fade out inferiorly; bottom of aperture is
formed by a ledge that extends laterally from inferior
nasal spine, with well-developed, superiory extending
“turbinal” crests. Low, somewhat horizontal concha1
crest present. Hint of posterior swelling in nasal cav-
ity. Breaks reveal that the swollen inferomedial orbital
wall is expanded by an ethmoid sinus separated from
maxillary sinus by a thin, complete septum. Nasoalve-
olar clivus relatively long, steeply sloped downward,
and broadly arced from side to side.
Zygomatic area lightly constructed. Zygomatic
arch extremely gracile (especially given great size of
face). No incisura malaris. Inferior surface of zygomatic
arch sweeps up and back from its anterior root; lacks
inferior tuberosity. Parietals not keeled, flared, or
bulging. Temporal lines highly developed anteriorly