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IJAR.2017.386

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Type of Article:  Original Research

Volume 5; Issue 4.1 (October 2017)

Page No.: 4510-4518

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2017.386

PLEISTOCENE HOMININ FOSSIL FEMORA AND HUMERI

Anek R. Sankhyan 1, 2.

1 Ex-Sr. Anthropologist (Physical) & Visiting Fellow, Anthropological Survey of India, Kolkata.

2 President  Palaeo Research Society, IPH Colony, Ghumarwin, H.P., 174021, India.

Address for Correspondence: Dr. Anek R. Sankhyan, President Palaeo Research Society, IPH Colony, Ghumarwin (H.P.) – 174021, India. Phone: +917018436953; E-Mail: arsankhyan@gmail.com.

ABSTRACT

Aim: To report morphometric analysis on six rare fossil femora and three humeri of the Pleistocene prehistoric humans who roamed about the Central Narmada valley (M.P.) during 300,000 to 40,000 years ago.

Methods: Fossils were discovered through intensive explorations and trial excavations. The sites were mapped and shown in their lithostratigraphic contexts. The fossils were cleaned and measured for linear measurements with Mitutoyo Digital caliper for statistical analysis. They were digitally photographed and mCT scanned for detailed morphological observations. The morphometric comparative analysis was done and the segment proportions were used for estimating the statures of the hominins.

Results: The prehistoric femora and humeri display general similarities with their modern counterparts but also variations from the archaic to early modern morphology, especially  in robustness. The statures estimates from the bone segment ratios reveal that most of the Narmada valley humans were ‘short and stocky’ and at par with the Andaman pygmies.

Conclusion: Through the predominant occurrence of the ‘very short and stocky’ Pleistocene hominins it may be postulated that Narmada valley contained common ancestors of the Holocene ‘short-bodied’ populations of Indian mainland, including the pygmies. This conclusion is also supported by recent genomic studies indicating Indian origins of the short-bodied populations and concurs with the “Out of Africa” theory of modern human origins in South Asia.

KEY WORDS: Pleistocene, Fossil Femora, Humeri, Morphometry, Stature, Narmada valley.

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Cite this article: Anek R. Sankhyan. PLEISTOCENE HOMININ FOSSIL FEMORA AND HUMERI. Int J Anat Res 2017;5(4.1):4510-4518. DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2017.386