kranium, cranium

Description:

Cranium with mandible of Mature adult/Older adult Male. No obvious decorations present that is distinguishable from taphonomic modifications. Skull is mottled in color, ranging from light natural bone to darker reddish-brown. Numerous areas of postmortem damage with associated weathering of exposed bone, including: anterior and left maxillary alveolus, left zygo arch, a portion of the left basicranium extended from the foramen magnum border/occipital condyle to the petrous portion, medial half of the mastoid process, and a portion of the occipital. Both mandibular condyles are wholly or partially missing, right occipital condyle partially removed, and tips of the coronoid processes also weathered. Numerous areas of surface spalding across the skull, including the left orbit and supraorbit, left temporal, right temporal, right frontal, right parietal, occipital and mandible. Gauge from a possible animal tooth (canine?) on right buccal mandible at M1 crypt. Possible tooth puncture into tip of right mastoid process. Mandibular posterior border lightly polished, and a possible cupric stain present on posterior border at gnathion. lLM2 is loose in a bag. Trauma consists of a small BFT (possible SFT with a spiked weapon), antemortem, on right parietal just lateral of sagittal suture and almost perpendicular to the suture (i.e. almost horizontal). Appears to have punctured both tables, with woven bone filling in the hole in the endocranial table. Dimensions are: 10.3 x 4.46mm internally, 19.24 x 9.94mm externally. No obvious osseous pathology. Teeth that remain are minimally worn, except for the lingual occlusal surface of the rUM1 (the only remaining maxillary tooth). Teeth stained with soil or residue but not neccessarily betel nut black. No obvious caries, score 1-2 calc present on most, LEH not assessable due to missing teeth or staining. Much of left alveolar margin lost postmortem, right side intact with minor pitting. However, the distal side of the unusually small rUM2 crypt is recessed and the M3 crypt is closing. Bone condition and foramen present in the maxilla where that crypt is located suggests possible abcess or infection. Minor periodontal pitting in mandibular alveolus. Possible deciduous UM2 root retained on left side lateral of lLPM2. Many measurements not possible due to missing bone. Maxilla: Only one tooth present, rUM1, heavy lingual occlusal surface wear. Mandible: Molars in good condition but anterior teeth moderately worn.

Location:

Papua New Guinea

Format:

image

Collections:

Museum of Ethnography

Content partner:

Museum of Ethnography

Availability:

Not specified