Heritage Cases

The advantage of X-ray synchrotron (X-ray-SR), a special type of microtomography characterized by a high flux of photons with nearly parallel X-ray beams that can a high signal-to-noise ratio, is that it allows us to investigate inner incremental features of enamel (e.g., cross-striations, Retzius and neonatal lines). We would like to apply this technique to the study of upper permanent molars because these teeth start to form around birth in higher primates, including in fossil hominins. Therefore, if we can visualize long-period incremental lines in the enamel cap of their permanent molars, we can accurately assess the age at death of the KW 9000 and KW 10840 specimens. The results of this study will be incorporated in further descriptions of the KW 9000 and KW 10840 specimens and can be expected to contribute to our understanding of Paranthropus robustus paleobiology and, particularly its rate and duration of growth and its life history strategy. This topic is recognized as very important to help defining the ecology and the paleodemography of Paranthropus robustus and, in general, of any species of extinct or extant mammal. Our results will be compared to data from other sites, including Drimolen, where Paranthropus robustus is also found. The material will be hand carried by Gideon Chinamatira (2340386@students.wits.ac.za) to Grenoble (France), where the synchrotron facility is located. Statement why this study cannot be done in South Africa: This study cannot be done in South Africa because it requires synchrotron imaging. The two isolated teeth were already micro-CT scanned at the ESI at Wits. However, the spatial resolution and the technique for the available micro-CTs of the two specimens is not sufficient to investigate enamel daily increments.