Evolution of the human brain in the light of paleoneurology

Paleoneurology interprets natural or artificial endocasts. It is, therefore, the only method which is able to provide direct information on the ancestry of the human brain. Australopithecus, Homo habilis and Homo erectus are of outstanding importance concerning human evolution. This short review deals with some well-preserved endocasts of these forms. Possibilities and limitations of paleoneurology are discussed with respect to the taxonomic attribution of fossil specimens. Functional aspects of the cortical sulcus pattern can be interpreted rather strictly and is, therefore, of considerably phylogenetic significance. It indicates that even some early hominids exhibit a human-like brain organization (e.g. KNM-ER 1470) while others (such a KNM-ER 1805) feature a rather pongid-like brain organization. However, controversy over the interpretation of endocasts from early hominids continues: It has not been possible to unequivocally demonstrate a human-like feature of the Australopithecus brain.