ABSTRACT
The relative positions of the frontal and maxillary fragments indicate that the malar region probably would have been anteriorly prominent such that in side view the nasal bones could not have been seen. In this respect, and in the concave frontal process of the maxilla, Stw 252 is similar to another Sterkfontein cranium, Sts 71 (Fig. 18.5). These two specimens are similar also in their frontal morphology, their high, gently curved occipital profiles, large cheek-teeth, and in the anterior position of the zygomatic process of the maxilla. They contrast in these features with three other Sterkfontein Member 4 cranial specimens-Sts 5, Sts 17 and Sts 52-which, taken as a group, exhibit a complex of features trending toward the Homo habilis morphology (i.e., relatively small cheek-teeth, nasal skeleton that displays slight anterior prominence, zyg omatic process that curves laterally over M1, thickened supra-orbital margin, convex frontal squame, reduced sagittal encroachment of temporal lines postorbitally, and sharply angled occipital profile).
