Abstract: Because of the complex external surface morphology and internal structure, the temporal bone is an important source of information on palaeoanthropological research. However, the definition of some of the characteristics of the temporal bone, population distribution and the value of evolution has been controversial. One reason for these challenges is the lack of research and data about variation and morphology of modern crania. Therefore, this paper focuses on a complex region - the posterior mastoid region. Through observation and our analysis, we noted the following results. Except for the development level of the juxtamastoid process affected by sex, the occurrence rate and development of the mastoid notch, occipitomastoid crest and occipital groove are not affected by region or sex. The characteristic features of modern Chinese people are a narrow and deep mastoid notch, prominent juxtamastoid process, weak occipital groove and occipitomastoid crest. The mastoid notch, anterior part of the digastric groove (obliterated), juxtamastoid process, occipital groove and the occipitomastoid crest show internal variability and change over time. Some morphological traits of the mastoid region that are considered to belong to Neandertals have appeared on contemporary and fossil men in China. In this paper, the morphology of the posterior of mastoid region of Chinese Homo sapiens (late Pleistocene) is close to that of modern Chinese people.

Key words: Mastoid; Cranial; Morphology; Anatomy; Homo sapiens; Modern Chinese; Palaeoanthropology