Further evidence of periodontal bone pathology in a juvenile specimen of Australopithecus africanus from Sterkfontein, South Africa

Abstract

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.