Abstract: Previous studies indicate that Chinese Homo erectus fossils have wide morphological variations, with no-agreed to cause. Some colleagues propose that hominins in China already exhibited pronounced regional morphological differences during the period of Homo erectus. However, there is other opinion arguing that there is no regular pattern for these variations. Recently, the present authors conducted research on dental morphological variations of Chinese Homo erectus using various methods. Our studies achieved some new discoveries and understanding. From this work, we propose that dental morphological variations of Chinese Homo erectus can be divided into two types. The teeth of Yuanmou, Jianshi, Yunxian Meipu, Hexian exhibit more primitive features and thus represent a primitive type. More derived features are identified in specimens from Zhoukoudian and Yiyuan showing more typical morphological patterns of Homo erectus. Some other Chinese Homo erectus teeth display mixed or intermediate variation status. It is noteworthy that the chronological ages of some Chinese Homo erectus that have primitive features are relative late and their primitive dental patterns do not fit with their expected chronological ages. The authors believe that dental morphological types of Chinese Homo erectus revealed by the present study reflect an evolutionary situation of different Chinese Homo erectus populations in Early and Middle Pleistocene. The formation of primitive dental pattern is not only related to the chronological sequence and geographical distributions of some Homo erectus groups, but also reflects isolation of some Chinese Homo erectus populations.

Key words: Homo erectus; China; Dental traits; Variations; Primitive features