254 h F R I c A
part of splanchnocranium is on R, and consists of
posterior part of maxilla with fragmentary and worn
M3, and posterior wall of zygoma with part of tem-
poral process. Tip of L mastoid is broken off.
Cranium
Vault bones thick (as described by Hublin, 1985).
Pathological thickening of midsection of frontal
extends back over bregma. Skull would have been
fairly small and fairly tall. In profile (if frontal had not
been thickened), there would have been a quite gentle
slope of frontal plane to bregma, where it would have
flattened out level with mastoid processes, then have
sloped moderately steeply down to behind lambda.
Occipital plane quite flat, fairly vertical; near superior
nuchal line, profile curves steeply down and forward.
Viewed from rear, skull roundedly subrectangular;
broadest across supramastoid regions, which (as sug-
gested on L) are slightly swollen. As better seen on L
(still from the rear), the moderately short cranial wall
is quite vertical, and curves broadly and strongly
across top. Seen from above, posterior part of neuro-
cranium appears quite swollen and broad relative to
very narrow preserved portion of frontal region.
As indicated on R, low band-like temporal line
emanates quite high up behind supraorbital region;
arcs up slightly, reaching highest point level with
auditory meatus, then curves around to supramastoid
region. Appears that squamosal was very short, but for
its length quite tall s/i. As seen on L, it seems that the
anterior squamosal flowed gently and smoothly into
alisphenoid, which itself is not flexed inward inferi-
orly. As indicated on the R, temporal fossa was rather
short s/i but quite broad m/l; its anterior wall appears
to have been vertical. On both sides, posterior root of
zygomatic arch takes origin in front of auditory mea-
tus, and (as seen on the R) flares strongly laterally,
producing a moderately expansive shelf. Lateral extent
of articular fossa lies under this shelf. As seen on both
sides, articular fossae quite wide m/l and deep but
rather short a/p; are bounded anteriorly by a fairly
steep, anteriorly arcuate wall. On the R is a very mod-
est hint of an articular eminence; L side appears
pathologically remodeled. Both articular fossae open
broadly medially onto anteromedially oriented vaginal
processes. Extremely short ectotympanic tube forms a
very incomplete, somewhat vertical posterior wall to
fossae on both sides. Auditory meati ovoid, moder-
ately large, almost vertically oriented, with not very
thick bony walls. As seen on both sides, vaginalprocess peaks around what had been a rather thin and
medially placed styloid process that lay medial to pos-
terior edge of jugular fossa. Vaginal processes appar-
ently descended steeply toward bases of mastoid
processes, rather than running along midlines of ecto-
tympanic tubes. As indicated on the L, a rather large
stylomastoid foramen lies between region of styloid
process and base of mastoid process. Thin R petrosal
curves gently up and forward relative to axis of ecto-
tympanic tube. As better reflected on the R, relatively
small carotid foramen faces posteriorly across anterior
portion of moderate jugular foramen, which points
down and slightly forward.
Mastoid processes quite swollen at their lateral
bases. Posterolateral aspects of processes flattened; as
best seen on the R, the moderately projecting tip
curves somewhat inward. On both sides, mastoid
notch moderately deep; broadens noticeably posteri-
orly into a poorly defined digastric fossa. Judging by
photographs in conjunction with the cast, the crest
that bounds the digastric fossa medially lies lateral to
the occipitomastoid suture (is thus a paramastoid
crest). Medial to occipitomastoid suture (both sides),
bone is swollen into a very broad m/l, a/p long
Waldeyer’s crest that appears to extend posteriorly to a
bow-shaped (seen from behind), ledge-like, prominent
inferior nuchal line with a downward midline peak.
Peak lies rather close to posterior margin of relatively
large, roundedly diamond-shaped, foramen magnum.
Occipital plane was very wide and apparently
quite low, with a shallowly sloping lambdoid suture.
Nuchal plane gently mounded; bears shallow longitu-
dinal sulcus across its midpoint. Below this, laterally, is
a modest roughening that probably corresponds to the
superior nuchal line. Bone remains rather smooth
until low down on nuchal plane, above region of
ledgelike inferior nuchal line. Area subtended by
Waldeyer’s crests and inferior nuchal line appears
sunken and relatively smooth. Moderately sized, m/l
broad, not very a/p long occipital condyles lie fairly
far forward on rim of foramen magnum; intrude over
foramen slightly medially. Fairly smooth-surfaced ba-
siocciput very broad posteriorly, tapering strongly an-
teriorly; bears small midline crest. Posterior base of
vomer appears to be preserved; it lay in front of sphe-
nooccipital synchondrosis. Seen from behind, nasal
cavity appears to have been rather narrow, although
quite tall s/i. On both sides, roots of medial pterygoid
plates preserved, terminating at tip of petrosal. Base of
lateral pterygoid plate fades out well below and well