I NT KO D IT c T I o N^3
DESCRIPTIVE PROTOCOL
In these volumes of The Human Fossil Recoy4 we de-
scribe as many as possible of the major fossils that make
up the record of the genus Homo. The arrangement is by
continent and by site: we describe each fossil or fossil as-
semblage individually, and without reference to speci-
mens from other sites. To make this possible, we have
adopted a single descriptive protocol and a uniform
nomenclature for morphological features of the hominid
skull. Armed with these descriptions, the reader will be
able to make direct comparisons among whatever fossils
he or she desires. In the following section, we present
the descriptive format that we have developed and,
where necessary, we discuss details of nomenclature. A
fuller presentation is found in Volume 1 of this series.
Each fossil description in these volumes follows the
order presented below, even where individual specimens
are incomplete. Where a homogeneous assemblage of
fossils is described from the same site, the most
complete specimen is taken as the exemplar, and other
individuals are described only to the extent to which
they differ. In the following outline of our descriptive
protocol, we highlight the principal bones and structures
to which attention is paid, region by region; necessarily,
there is some overlap between descriptions of adjacent
regions and structures. For nomenclature, refer also to
Figures 1-9. Doubtless, many will fault us for having
deliberately refrained from providing measurements for
the specimens described. This was done partly to save
space in an already very bulky series of books, and partly
because measurement criteria vary so much among
practitioners. Size is, of course, a significant factor, and
we hope that the fact that all photographs in standard
views bear scales will provide the reader with an ade-
quate guide to the size of each fossil. Measurements will
also be found in many of the works that we cite in the
entries.DESCRIPTIVE FORMAT
Following is a summary of the protocol and sequence
that we follow wherever possible in describing ho-
minid craniodental fossils. A fuller account is provided
in Volume 1; terminology is clarified and summarized
in Figures 1-9 of both volumes.General Comments: General preservation and com-
pleteness of the specimen( s).
Cranium-Overview: Overall form and proportions
of the cranium; general bone thickness.
Supraorbital Region and Splanchnocranium (Fig-
ures 1-3): Supraorbital structures, glabella, frontal
sinuses, orbits, infraorbital region and zygomas;
nasal bones, aperture and cavity; nasoalveolar re-
gion, palate, and pterygoids.
Cranial Roof (Figures 1 and 2). Contours and exter-
nal details of frontal and parietals.
Cranial Walls (Figure 2). Temporal bone and atten-
dant fossae; posterior part of zygomatic arch; lateral
mastoid region and auditory meatus; sutural con-
figurations.Cranial Rear (Figures 2 and 4). General contour;
occipital plane and associated structures.
Cranial Base (Figure 4). Nuchal plane including the
contiguous mastoid area; external petrosal and asso-
ciated processes and foramina; spheno- and basi-
occipital region; foramen magnum and occipital
condyles; mandibular fossa.
Cranial Sutures andThickness. Nature of the sutural
margins; thickness of cranial bone, especially of
the parietals and occipital.
Anterior Endocranial Compartment (Figure 5).
Anterior cranial fossa and associated structures.
Middle Endocranial Compartment (Figure 5).
Middle cranial fossa and associated structures, in-
cluding petrosals.
Posterior Endocranial Compartment (Figure 5).
Posterior cranial fossa and associated structures,
including petrosals.
Major Endocranial Sinus Impressions (Figure 5).
Mandible (Figures 6 and 7). Overview and detailed
morphology.