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Endostructural assessment of a hominin maxillary molar (StW 669) from Milner Hall, Sterkfontein, South Africa
- Source :
- South African Journal of Science, Volume: 115, Issue: 9-10, Pages: 1-4, Published: OCT 2019, South African Journal of Science, Vol 115, Iss 9/10 (2019)
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Academy of Science of South Africa, 2019.
-
Abstract
- The site of the Sterkfontein Caves, South Africa, is one of the richest early hominin fossil-bearing sites in Africa. Recent excavations in the Milner Hall locality have contributed to the discovery of new hominin specimens, including StW 669, a right permanent maxillary first molar (M1). StW 669 was excavated from the T1 deposits, which consist of a mixture of sediments from Members 2 and 5 of the Sterkfontein Formation. Accordingly, the deposits have the potential to contain remains of Australopithecus, Paranthropus and Homo. In this study, we employed micro-focus X-ray tomography in order to assess dental tissue proportions, enamel thickness distribution and enamel-dentine junction morphology as approaches to investigate the taxonomy of StW 669. We compare our results to those generated on the teeth of Australopithecus africanus, Paranthropus robustus, Homo erectus, Homo antecessor, Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens. Our results suggest that StW 669 shares quantitative and qualitative affinities with M1s of Homo in terms of tissue proportions (i.e. two- and three-dimensional average and relative enamel thickness of 1.2–1.3 mm and 18.4, respectively) and enamel thickness distribution (i.e. thickest enamel on the lingual aspect of the protocone). However, data on the enamel-dentine junction morphology of StW 669 are inconclusive as to the tooth’s taxonomic affinities. Pending additional morphometric analyses, our studies of inner morphology of the crown of StW 669 support its attribution to Homo. Significance: The Sterkfontein Caves have contributed significantly to our understanding of early human evolution and continue to do so. This study highlights the specific value of the Milner Hall locality as a valuable store of hominin fossils. Moreover, we tentatively clarify the enigmatic taxonomic status of StW 669, a right permanent maxillary first molar, excavated from the T1 deposit of Milner Hall. Pending additional morphometric evidence, our preliminary data on tissue proportions, enamel thickness distribution and enamel-dentine junction morphology, suggest an attribution of StW 669 to early Homo. This result is significant given the historical contention concerning the presence of early Homo at Sterkfontein.
- Subjects :
- Orthodontics
Homo
EDJ
General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
maxillary first molar
lcsh:Social Sciences
lcsh:H
stomatognathic diseases
Geography
stomatognathic system
enamel thickness
Maxillary first molar
General Earth and Planetary Sciences
Maxillary molar
lcsh:Q
lcsh:H1-99
lcsh:Social sciences (General)
late Pliocene-early Pleistocene
lcsh:Science
lcsh:Science (General)
General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
enamel-dentine junction
lcsh:Q1-390
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 19967489
- Volume :
- 115
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- South African Journal of Science
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....82acc74a2662d86fe83357e0e1903656