|
Wesleyan University Archaeology & Anthropology Collections Hominin Fossil Casts |
||
|
Species Designation: Australopithecus (Paranthropus) robustus ID/ Nickname: SK-48 Date: 1.5 - 2.0 million years ago Catalog #: 2004-11-7 Description: cranium |
 |
|
4.JPG)
1.JPG)
2.JPG) |
||
Context of Discovery:
Discovered at Swartkkrans, South Africa, by Robert Broom in 1949. Although the cave site was blasted with explosives, the skull was only slightly damaged.
Facts about "SK-48":
SK 48 provided a clearer picture of the anatomy of the robust australopithecines. It was probably the cranium of a female. The right canine, first premolar and three left molars are still intact. Although its canine is small, the premolar and molars are large like other robust australopithecines. It has a slight sagittal crest and large zygomatic arches.
Important Publications:
Broom, R. 1949. "Another type of fossil ape-man (Paranthropus crassidens)." Nature 163: 57
Broom, R., and J.T. Robinson. 1952. "Swartkrans ape-man, Paranthropus crassidens." Transvaal Museum Memoir 6.
Robinson, J.T. 1956. "The Dentition of the Australopithecinae." Transvaal Museum Memoir 9.