Abstract: This research examines the dates for Homo erectus from Nanjing (known as Nanjing 1), and an interpretation of climatic adaptation based on nasal bone features with a comparative sample including Bodo, Kabwe, Petralona and Atapurca SH5. The results show that:
1) The Nanjing 1 dates of 580-620 Kyr are acceptable. During this period, highly projecting nasal bones have not been found in crania from Africa, Europe and West Asia. Theerefore, these nasal feature of Nanjing 1 cannot be used as an evidence of western affinities.
2) Highly projecting nasal bones are products of adaptation to cold and/or dry climates. As an adaptative feature, this structure results from genetic changes and thus has a permanent effect on the population even if the environment changes. It is not surprising therefore that a fossil hominid with highly projecting nasal bones (such as Nanjing 1) lived in an environment that was different from its ancestors.
3) There is no relationship between the nasal feature of Nanjing 1 and gene flow from European population or from the Bodo lineage.
The results of this research support the view that the highly projecting nasal bones of Nanjing 1 are products of climatic adaptation rather than gene flow.

Key words: Homo erectus; Nanjing; Highly projecting nasal bones; Western affinities; Climatic adaptation