118 A F K I c: A
120 Ka. The bulk of the Klasies specimens are at least
80 Ka old, whereas the few MSA 111 fragments are
significantly younger, up to about 60 Ka.ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTEXT
As noted above, the primary sequence at KRM runs
from MSA I to LSA, with discontinuities. The bulk
of the KRM hominids were found in flake-based
MSA contexts. According to Deacon (e.g., in Right-
mire and Deacon, 1991), the pattern of breakage of
the hominid bones at KRM, together with the fact
that many were burned, apparently with the flesh on,
is evidence for cannibalistic activity. Deacon also finds
evidence for an organization of the living space
around hearth sites. In terms of subsistence, the MSA
levels at KRM furnish some of the earliest evidence
for exploitation of marine resources, albeit less sophis-
ticated than in the LSA (Klein, 1989).
PREVIOUS DESCRIPTIONS AND ANALYSES
In their initial description of the 1967-1968 fossils,
Singer and Wymer (1982) concluded that the KRM
hominids were anatomically fully modern. Braiier
(1984) concurred, as have most other authors since.
Thus, reviewing these specimens and describing a few
more fragments from 1984-1989, Rightmire and
Deacon (1991) recently stressed the degree to which
the KRM fossils differ from Neanderthals and “other
archaic humans.” Some authors (e.g., Caspari and
Wolpoff, 1990; Frayer et al., 1994; Wolpoff et al.,
1994) have, however, questioned the morphological
modernity of these fossils, declenching a debate that
seems set to continue.MORPHOLOGY
Remains of several individuals, represented by six
fragmentary mandibles (some with some teeth), 15
cranial pieces (most uniformative in detail), and five
isolated lower teeth. Some bone apparently burned.
Of the mandibles, one [AP 6222 (KRM lb MSA/lO)small but not extremely gracile. Tall s/i, moderately
thick b/l at front. Thicker below molars than at sym-
physeal region. Moderately tight internal curve at
front of jaw; toothrows divergent. As seen on R, infe-
rior margin of corpus becomes elevated below region
of M2 and curves down again posteriorly to the angle.
At front of jaw, upper part of symphysis missing. Be-
low is a broadly triangular swelling, with a depression
on either side; triangle extends laterally to region of
P1 as thickening. Region of keel missing. As pre-
served on R, thickened lateral extremity of triangle
undercut and consequently extends around front of
jaw above inferior margin. Shallow depressions lie
above lateral extensions and on either side of triangle.
Internally, what remains of postincisal plane is verti-
cal, marked midway by a rugose depression. Long,
flat, relatively broad muscle scar lies below depression
and terminates a bit above inferior margin. Digastric
fossae long and deep, and face backward. Fossae sepa-
rated in midline by small peak of bone and bounded
posterolaterally by rough, raised spit of bone. On both
sides, anterior root of ramus rises below M1 and 2;
curves up strongly (as seen on R) to form a distinct
prearticular sulcus. Above this sulcus, a short, bluntly
pointed coronoid process swells anteriorly. Sigmoid
notch was apparently broad and shallow; may have
been deepest posterior to its midpoint. On both sides,
mylohyoid line pronounced and very long, with shal-
low submandibular fossa below. Internal alveolar crest
turns upward and flows into a low crest that flattens
out superiorly. Inner margins of both coronoid
processes thickened. On R, part of low, blunt lingula is
preserved, and faced up and back. On R, medium and
small mental foramina are situated below P2; on L, a
medium-sized mental foramen lies below P1 and 2.
Teeth were apparently moderately small and not
notably long rooted. Too worn for comment, but M1
and 2 were rounded distally. M3s were lost pre-
mortem, as indicated by bone remodeling. On the R,
M3 was probably small, completely visible from side
(i.e., there was a retromolar space).418151 differs sufficiently from the others to be dis-
cussed separately.AP6222 (KRM lb MSA/10) 41815
Broken mandible with partial L and R rami, LM2, R
and L Mls, and partial RP2, all extremely worn; alve-
oli for RM2, P1 and C, plus LC-P2; also a hint of an
alveolus for RM3. Highly aged individual. MandibleOther Mandibles
Variable in size; often very small with tiny teeth. Cor-
pora vary from tall s/i (especially relative to teeth)
to short, and from narrow (although broad relative to
small size of teeth) to wide m/l, with tight to broad
curve around front. Tooth rows may be quite divergent.
In profile, symphyseal region is straight, essentially