Chinese Science Bulletin

, Volume 51, Issue 17, pp 2110–2115 | Cite as

Upper Pleistocene human scapula from Salawusu, Inner Mongolia, China

  • Shang Hong 
  • Liu Wu 
  • Wu Xinzhi 
  • Dong Guangrong 
Articles
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Abstract

This article presents a fossil human scapula which was found in situ from the lower part of the Salawusu Formation in 1980 at the Salawusu site of Inner Mongolia, China. The stratum is dated from 70.9±6.2 ka BP to 124.9±15.8 ka BP by TL method. Dates from 44±7 ka BP to 63±3 ka BP, 61–68 ka BP and 35.34±2 ka BP are obtained for the lower part of this layer by 230Th, IRSL and 14C respectively. Based on the comparisons between this scapula and the scapulae of Neanderthals, Skhul/Qafzeh fossils, Eurasian Upper Paleolithic specimens and recent modern humans on the glenoid fossa, axillo-spinal angle, axillary border and other features, the present authors arrived at a preliminary conclusion that this Salawusu scapula is characterized by modern features of Upper Pleistocene humans mixed with a Neanderthal-like feature.

Keywords

Salawusu upper Pleistocene scapula human fossil 
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Copyright information

© Science in China Press 2006

Authors and Affiliations

  • Shang Hong 
    • 1
    • 2
  • Liu Wu 
    • 1
  • Wu Xinzhi 
    • 1
  • Dong Guangrong 
    • 3
  1. 1.Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and PaleoanthropologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
  2. 2.Department of AnthropologyWashington UniversitySt. LouisUSA
  3. 3.Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research InstituteChinese Academy of SciencesLanzhouChina

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