Abstract: In this paper, 18 formaulae of cranial capacity estimation cited from literature are examined using Homo erectus crania from Zhoukoudian(ZKD). The results show that Ding' s formulae based on auricular height can provide an accurate estimation of cranial capacity for Homo erectus as well as modern Chinese. This formulae predicts a capacity of 871 cc for Homo erectus skull 1 from Tangshan, Nanjing.
The cranial capacity of 871 cc suggests that an older date, 400 kyr or more, is acceptable for Tangshan according to the comparison of cranial capacity to the date in Homo erectus from ZKD made by Wolpoff.

Key words: Homo erectus; Tangshan; Cranial capacity; Date