My dissertation research is focused on describing and analyzing a sample of early hominins from the Makapansgat Limeworks in South Africa . Over the years, the Makapansgat hominins have played a central role in numerous paleoanthropological studies. All of the specimens recovered to date are most likely from Members 3 and 4, spanning approximately 2.8-3.2 million years of age. The specimens all continue to be attributed to A. africanus , although some researchers have suggested one mandible (MLD 2) should be attributed to A. robustus . Others have debated the A. africanus hypodigm or indicated the Makapansgat specimens belong to a different species. Despite debates surrounding both the Makapansgat hominins and the A. africanus hypodigm, no study has yet attempted to systematically compare the entire Makapansgat hominin assemblage to other South African hominin assemblages.

The Makapansgat assemblage provides a temporally and geographically confined sample with which to explore variation in the current A. africanus hypodigm. For A. africanus , Makapansgat affords an obviously unique and valuable research opportunity. My work on this project will allow me to explore numerous questions begging examination. For instance, does the variation exhibited by the Makapansgat sample exceed that expected for a single species? How do the Makapansgat hominins compare to A. africanus and A. robustus at other sites? Should the Makapansgat hominins be attributed to A. africanus ? Does the range of variation at Makapansgat exceed that of the Sterkfontein A. africanus sample? How do the levels and patterns of variation within the Makapansgat sample compare to those for A. africanus at Sterkfontein? And, how does including the Makapansgat sample in the A. africanus hypodigm impact interpretations of this species? While answers to these questions will be complicated and controversial, my work will allow the first exploration of these issues with the complete Makapansgat sample. Whether a single population or a mixed-species assemblage, the Makapansgat hominins are critical for sorting out several broad paleoanthropological issues. The results of this project will contribute to (1) assessing whether Makapansgat and Sterkfontein sample different species or temporally distinct populations of an evolving species, (2) examinations of morphological, temporal, and geographic variation in South African early hominins, and (3) focused discussions of variation within A. africanus.