Evolution at the Crossroads: Modern Human Emergence in Western Asia

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Abstract
There is long‐standing disagreement regarding Upper Pleistocene human evolution in Western Asia, particularly the Levant. Some argue that there were two dilierent populations, perhaps different species, of Upper Pleistocene Levantine hominids. The first, from the Israeli silcs of Qafzeh and Skhul. is anatomically modern. The second, from sites such as Amud. Kcbara. and Tabun, is archaic, or "Neandertal" in morphology. Others argue that ihis is a false dichotomy and that all of lliese hominids belong to a single, highly variable population. In this paper I attempt to resolve this issue by examining posteranial measures reflective of body shape. Results indicate that the Qafzeh‐Skhul hominids have African‐like, or tropically adapted, proportions, while tliosc from Amud, Kebara. Tabun. and Shanidar (Iraq) have more European‐like, or cold‐adapled. proportions. This suggests that iherc were in fact two distinct Western Asian populations and that the Qaf/ch‐Skhul hominids were likely African in origin—i result consistent with the "Replacement"' model of modern human origins, [modern human origins, NeunJertals, Qafzeh‐Skhul hominids, body shape]