Studies on the condition and structure of bone of the Saldanha fossil cranium
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 8315697 |
|---|---|
| Authors | N C Tappen (University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1979 |
| Volume | 50 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 591-603 |
| Publication date | 1979-05-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | American Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1002/ajpa.1330500410 |
| PMID | 111559 |
| OpenAlex | W2066543183 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 6 |
| References cited | 23 |
The external surface of the Saldanha cranium shows extensive exfoliation and cracking. In a few places remnants of the probable original bone surfaces can be observed. These are orange‐brown in color, contrasting with the nearly white color of exposed deeper layers, and are subdivided into small segments with pits in their centers. Causes of the color differences are uncertain but merit investigation. The surface cracking and exfoliation probably result from weathering before fossilization. This conclusion is based on the observation that the endocranial surfaces show no such effects, despite the scattering of the cranial fragments at the time of discovery. A depressed fracture in the frontal bone indicates a heavy blow at or shortly after the time of death. This blow probably created some of the fragments, but there are also incomplete fracture cracks which may have resulted from the blow. Unresolved taphonomic problems include the manner in which the cranium held together after decay of soft tissues allowed weathering, and the manner in which the fragments were subsequently scattered. Chips from the cranial vault indicate that the outer table was very thick, tending to support recent proposals that the specimen and associated fauna and tools are from a considerably earlier time period than originally believed. The surface damage to the brow ridges gives information on the structure of deeper layers. These are lacking orientation, supporting the hypothesis that hominid brow ridges are not primarily a response to masticatory forces, but may afford protection for the eyes
Biology · Exfoliation joint · Fossilization · Fracture (geology · Skull · Taphonomy · Weathering · Anatomy · Evolution and Paleontology Studies · Geology · Materials Science · Paleontology · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology · Primate Behavior and Ecology
Literaturverzeichnis
Cortical surface patterns in human and nonhuman primates
Circum-mortem damage to some ancient African hominid crania
Evolution of the supraorbital region in Upper Pleistocene fossil hominids from South‐Central Europe
Cranial remains and long bones from Atapuerca/Ibeas (Spain)
On the autapomorphic traits of Homo erectus
Human origins
L'homme fossile de la Chapelle-aux-Saints
A Survey of the Evidence for Intrahuman Killing in the Pleistocene
Archaeological Investigations at the Saldanha Skull Site in South Africa
The Fontéchevade fossil men
Two orientational features of compact bone as predictors of split‐line patterns
The saldanha skull from hopefield, South Africa
Advanced weathering cracks as an improvement on split‐line preparations for analysis of structural orientation in compact bone
A functional analysis of the facial skeleton with split‐line technique
The special features and status of the Saldanha skull
The relationship of weathering cracks to split‐line orientation in bone
Structure of bone in the skulls of Neanderthal fossils
Demonstration of the intrinsic vascular pattern of compact bone. A vital “split‐line” technic
An examination of alternative explanations of split‐line orientation in compact bone
A comparative study of the primate femur by means of the stresscoat and the split‐line techniques
The vermiculate surface pattern of brow ridges in Neandertal and modern crania
The Significance of the Archaeological Discoveries at Hopefield, South Africa
Primate Skull Collections in Some European Museums
Environment and subsistence of prehistoric man in the southern Cape Province, South Africa
On the Application of Morphological "Dating" to the Hominid Fossil Record
Saldanha Man and His Associations
| Unique citing works | 6 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,13 |
| Citation span | 1980 - 1994 (15) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 6 |