kranium, cranium

Description:

Cranium with mandible of Young adult/Mature adult Male. Decoration cosists of two small loops of dried palm frond or leaf, one tied around each zygomatic arch. Possible patchy traces of dark red pigment or ochre right mid-parietal, but more likely related to discoloration postmortem. Skull is intact, with postmortem bone loss only represented by small fenestrations in left anterior maxillary alveolus. Roots present only in the right orbit and sphenoid with the right ear canal filled with soil traces on the buccal (and right lingual) surfaces of the mandible. Marked color gradiant divides skull, with occipital, right side, face until left infra-orbital foramena a darker purple-red (possibly from iron or manganese). Remaining surface area is light tannish-yellow with patchy darker staining and traces of white residue on inferior left mid-parietal. Mandible is more uniformly darker red in color, suggesting more complete contact with soil so a thin dark red crust develops areas. Posterior mandibular border polished in spots. Trauma is limited to a small button osteoma. No obvious osseous pathology. Dental pathology consists of minimal calculus, moderate staining/blackening, mild periodontal pitting on rLM3 crypt, moderate to severe tooth wear on most teeth (especially the 1st molars), and both buccal and lingual abcesses at the distal roots of rLM1. Maxilla: Some traits unscorable due to wear or to tooth being firmly stuck within crypt. Mandible: Severe wear prevents some measurements.

Location:

Papua New Guinea

Format:

image

Collections:

Museum of Ethnography

Content partner:

Museum of Ethnography

Availability:

Not specified