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One of the most contentious topics in the study of human evolution is that of the time, place and mode of origin of Homo sapiens 1 , 2 , 3 . The discovery in the Northern Danakil (Afar) Depression, Eritrea, of a well-preserved Homo cranium with a mixture of characters typical of H. erectus and H. sapiens contributes significantly to this debate. The cranium was found in a succession of fluvio-deltaic and lacustrine deposits and is associated with a rich mammalian fauna of early to early-middle Pleistocene age. A magnetostratigraphic survey indicates two reversed and two normal magnetozones. The layer in which the cranium was found is near the top of the lower normal magnetozone, which is identified as the Jaramillo subchron. Consequently, the human remains can be dated at ∼1 million years before present.

A succession of five fossiliferous levels near Buia in the northern Danakil (Afar) Depression of Eritrea has produced an abundant early Pleistocene fauna including a ca. 1.0 Ma cranium of Homo. Elephas is well represented at many sites; with one exception the entire Buia Elephas sample represents a relatively derived member of the Elephas recki lineage. Univariate and multivariate analysis of dental characters demonstrates that the Buia sample is intermediate between E. recki ileretensis (Koobi Fora, Ileret) and E. r. recki (Beds 3 and 4 at Olduvai). The biologic reality of the separation of E. recki into five chronologically successive subspecies is questionable. Our analysis supports the hypothesis that E. r. ileretensis and E. r. recki form a single phyletic lineage.

A succession of five fossiliferous levels near Buia in the northern Danakil (Afar) Depression of Eritrea has produced an abundant early Pleistocene fauna including a ca. 1.0 Ma cranium of Homo. Elephas is well represented at many sites; with one exception the entire Buia Elephas sample represents a relatively derived member of the Elephas recki lineage. Univariate and multivariate analysis of dental characters demonstrates that the Buia sample is intermediate between E. recki ileretensis (Koobi Fora, Ileret) and E. r. recki (Beds 3 and 4 at Olduvai). The biologic reality of the separation of E. recki into five chronologically successive subspecies is questionable. Our analysis supports the hypothesis that E. r. ileretensis and E. r. recki form a single phyletic lineage.