Kromdraai teeth Synchrotron

We propose to use non-destructive synchrotron scanning to investigate two fossil hominin upper permanent molars recovered from the site of Kromdraai within its Unit P. Each molar is isolated (see photographs) but is associated to other elements represent two distinct and more complete fossil hominin specimens. The specimen numbers are KW 9000 and KW 10840. They are currently curated at the Evolutionary Studies Institute (ESI) at the University of the Witwatersrand. Our goal is the description of the enamel daily increments of each tooth in order to assess the age at death of each specimen. The two isolated teeth were already micro-CT scanned at the ESI. However, the spatial resolution and the technique for the available micro-CTs of the two specimens is not sufficient to investigate enamel daily increments.
The two isolated molars will be scanned by Dr Kathleen Dollman ([email protected]) and Dr Kudakwashe Jakata ([email protected]) (post-doctoral scientists) using phase-contrast X-ray microtomography on BM05 at the European Synchrotron and Radiation Facility (Grenoble, France). We will use a non-destructive multiscale approach with a voxel size range from 20 µm to 0.7 µm. This will allow us assess overall dental morphologies as well as fine incremental details. The scan data will be analyzed in VG Studio Max 3.5.1 software.