144 AFRICA
slightly anteriorly but more superiorly (hence are not
shelf-like). Nasion low, quite depressed, with moder-
ate anterior flexure of nasal bones below. Nasal bones
narrow superiorly, flare markedly inferiorly; nasonasal
suture is elevated into a median ridge. Preserved infe-
rior portion of nasals suggests they would have been
relatively flat and not curved. Overall, little bony pro-
jection in this area, giving a rather shallow profile. Re-
gion of frontal process is quite broad and forwardly
facing, with slight convexities in both s/i and medio-
lateral planes. Orbits are of “aviator glasses” shape due
to encroachment on medioinferior side by frontal
processes. Most inferior and superior parts of zygomas
lie more anteriorly than the middle sections, creating
shallow concavities. Frontal process of zygoma very
broad and slightly oblique, broadening the temporal
fossae behind. Malar tuberosity faces somewhat
obliquely outward. Viewed from below, inferior
margin of anterior root of zygoma projects laterally
beyond lateral margins of orbits.
Nasal aperture would have been a broad, short
trapezoid. No distinct inferior nasal margin; na-
soalveolar clivus arced smoothly into anterior part of
nasal cavity floor, then descended again to extremely
sunken floor. Laterally and inferiorly, lateral nasal
crest (nasal aperture margin) equally undefined, the
lateral nasal wall arcing smoothly out into broad,
rounded facial pillars. Unfortunately, no internal nasal
morphology is preserved, but anterior nasal spines
apparently were lacking. Externally, nasoalveolar
clivus would have been very shallowly concave from
side to side, while flexing anteriorly below to produce
a moderate degree of subnasal prognathism.
Temporal lines arise as a thick ridge from behind
lateral portion of supraorbital torus and continue
straight backward to lambdoid suture. After emerg-
ing from behind supraorbital tori, temporal lines are
virtually parallel, well above squamosal. Surface lat-
eral to lines is higher than that between them; thus
lines very salient medially until fading out before
reaching lambdoid suture. Lines do not swing around
toward mastoid region.
Squamosal portion of temporal was very long and
quite tall (at least anteriorly). Bilaterally, temporal fossa
a/p restricted. Cranial surface of fossa apparently less
distorted on the R than on the L. Posterior portion of
fossa angles gently in anteriorly from anterior
squamosal suture. On the L there is a sharper vertical
angle at anterior squamosal, probably due to distortion.
Infratemporal fossa not delineated from temporal fossa.
No articular eminence. No postglenoid plate. On
both sides, articular fossa limited by large tubercles, both
at posterior root of zygomatic arch as well as at medial
articular eminence; orientation of fossae is slightly
oblique toward front. Ectotympanic tubes broken bilat-
erally; both appear to have been fully ossified laterally.
Bone of tubes thick inferiorly. Auditory meatus is an dp
compressed ovoid, with slight posterior tit. Small vagi-
nal process peaks at midpoint of tube and does not ex-
tend further laterally. Moderate styloid pit at base of the
peak of the vaginal process, with groove for styloid pro-
cess. On the R, an elevated rim seems to indicate the
posterior margin of a jugular foramen that was quite
large, and would have pointed straight down. Another
pit-like feature lies posterior and lateral to the styloid pit
and could represent the stylomastoid foramen. This pit
lies just medial to a deep, broad mastoid notch, behind
which is a curious flat surface (not a typical digastric
fossa). On the R (L uncertain), ectotympanic tube con-
tacts mastoid process with no separation. Supramastoid
crest is confluent with a well-defined suprameatal crest.
Posterior root of zygomatic arch originates well in front
of auditory meatus and swings immediately outward
before curving in to body of zygoma. Zygomatic arch
portion very short.
Very small mastoid processes are well defined and
stout, projecting distinctly but not far downward
(hardly beyond ectotympanic tube). Lateral surface of
each mastoid process is swollen outward, producing a
slight sulcus between it and the supramastoid crest
above. Medial side of mastoid notch is clearly defined
by an eminence projecting almost as far as mastoid
process itself. Location of occipitomastoid suture im-
possible to determine (thus cannot tell whether this
eminence is a paramastoid or an occipitomastoid
crest). Mastoid foramina on both sides: on the L, in
the surface of the “digastric fossa”; and on R, more su-
periorly in the same area. No indication anywhere of a
groove for the occipital artery. On both sides, quite
medial and posterior to the mastoid notch, is a slight
elevation that appears to represent a Waldeyer’s crest.
These crests lie bilaterally at the extremities of widely
spaced low mounds that appear to correspond to the
occipital lobe depressions internally. In midline is a
very stout median crest running from rim of foramen
magnum to a low, broad swelling in the region of ex-
ternal occipital protuberance. From either side of this
protuberance, broad, low, keel-like ridges proceed lat-
erally, fading out well before reaching the lambdoid
suture. On occipital bone adjacent to lambdoid suture,