Simulating global patterns of Pleistocene hominin morphology

The first ever simulations of global patterns of early Homo morphology are presented here. These simulations are a good match to the known patterns in the fossil record. An enhanced version of the Stepping Out model is presented which simulated global patterns of hominin morphology including genetic drift and the homogenising effects of inter-group exchange. Stepping Out is then used to examine the importance of environmental factors on hominin morphology. The most significant feature of the simulations is an emergent division between the African and Asian populations. The effect of biogeographical factors on this division and other patterning is considered. Throughout, modelling results are interpreted in the context of fossil and archaeological records in order to enhance our understanding of population histories of hominin groups.