Abstract: The late Pleistocene human fossils found in Liujiang, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, south China, include a complete cranium, right os coxae, sacrum, two femoral fragments and several vertebrae. Since there is no duplication of skeletal elements, the joint surfaces of adjacent bones articulate comfortably and there is a similar texture in the bones, we are confident that a single individual is represented. This somewhat complete discovery makes the calculation of body size, body proportions and relative cranial capacity (or encephalization quotient) more reliable than if the remains were fragmentary. In this study, we calculate stature, body breadth, body weight, EQ index, and body proportion for Liujiang based on measurements of the cranium and reconstructed pelvis. In addition, body size and shape are also analyzed. Our results indicate that the Liujiang individual has body proportions (i. e., body height relative to body breadth) typical of a warm-adapted population. The encephalization quotient of 5. 602 is larger than that of other middle and late Pleistocene humans like Zhoukoudian Upper Cave and Jinniushan, and is closer to those of Minatogawa 2 and modern human populations. Body weight is calculated at 52. 0 kg for Liujiang, which is also smaller than those of fossil humans living in higher latitude like Jinniushan, Zhoukoudian Upper Cave and European Neanderthals, but closer to those of Minatogawa, KNM2ER 3883 and KNM2ER 3733 who all lived in warmer climatic regions. The results of this study show that body size, body proportions and relative cranial capacity (EQ) of the Liujiang individual resemble Pleistocene and modern humans.

Key words: Liujiang; Human evolution; Body size; Body proportion; Encephalization