The dentition and alveolar bone of a maxilla of a juvenile Australopithecus africanus have been examined using a high energy X-ray computed tomography scanner. Results indicate the presence of previously undetected severe alveolar bone loss, localised around the roofs of deciduous molars. The high energy X-ray capability of the industrial scanner (nor available on conventional medical scanners) has the potential to reveal morphological details of fossil specimens.
Reference:
Ripamonti, U, et al. 1997. Further evidence of periodontal bone pathology in a juvenile specimen of Australopithecus africanus from Sterkfontein, South Africa. South African Journal of Science, vol. 93(4), pp 177-178
Ripamonti, U., Kirkbride, A., Yates, S., & Thackeray, J. (1997). Further evidence of periodontal bone pathology in a juvenile specimen of Australopithecus africanus from Sterkfontein, South Africa. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/2062
Ripamonti, U, AN Kirkbride, SC Yates, and JF Thackeray "Further evidence of periodontal bone pathology in a juvenile specimen of Australopithecus africanus from Sterkfontein, South Africa." (1997) http://hdl.handle.net/10204/2062
Ripamonti U, Kirkbride A, Yates S, Thackeray J. Further evidence of periodontal bone pathology in a juvenile specimen of Australopithecus africanus from Sterkfontein, South Africa. 1997; http://hdl.handle.net/10204/2062.
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