Evolution in Homo erectus: the question of stasis

Abstract

Using a conservative definition of the hominid taxon Homo erectus, the sample of specimens known at this time, 92 individuals in all, is examined to determine whether the species exhibited significant temporal trends or evolutionary stasis. The sample is divided into three low-resolution time spans, and it is shown that significant change characterizes a number of cranial, mandibular, and dental features. Rates of change are comparable to or above rates reported for other fossil vertebrate lineages sampled over a similar duration. The often repeated assertion that Homo erectus is an example of a species in evolutionary stasis is incorrect.