Odontometric systematic assessment of the Swartkrans SK 15 mandible.

Full Abstract

This study reports a comparison of molar crown and cusp size and shape in the Swartkrans early Homo mandible SK 15 with relevant Plio-Pleistocene taxa. Univariate and multivariate methods are employed to consider the morphological affinities of this specimen and to assess its taxonomy. The case exists for classifying SK 15 in Homo habilis with 11 features aligning it with this species. The results of multivariate studies are consistent with this hypothesis. Moreover, SK 15 lacks a number of important features that characterise the mandibular molars of Homo sapiens erectus. Considerable evidence for parallelism in the dental morphology of SK 15 and H. habilis with A. robustus is discussed. Fossil evidence for the presence of H. sapiens erectus during the Plio-Pleistocene of South Africa presently seems to be lacking. Archaeological interpretations should take greater account of this gap in the fossil record.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Curnoe, D (D);

Affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. d.curnoe(-atsign-)unsw.edu.au

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Homo : internationale Zeitschrift für die vergleichende Forschung am Menschen (Homo), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-; vol 57 (issue 4) : pp 263-94

Dates: Created 2006/10/18; Completed 2007/02/16;

PMID: 16889778, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Craniology
Female
Fossils
Humans
Male

Mandible - anatomy & histology
Molar - anatomy & histology
Odontometry
Paleodontology
Tooth Crown - anatomy & histology

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.