Object Listing

3 molarsrib bone

3 molarsrib bone

3 molarsrib bone

Sample materials for a DNA extraction (and C14 dating where relevant) from human remains (in particular bone and parts of teeth), curated at the University of Pretoria. This forms part of a larger initiative to trace the broader population history of southern Africans. There are twelve materials with three separate samples thus there are thirty-six items.  

cranium,madible fragments

UP1 and UP2 are human remains, only 2 teeth per individual will be sampled

cranium,mandible

cranial fragments,mandible

maxilla fagments,mandible

cranial fragments,mandible

cranium,mandible

cranium

post-cranial fragments

cranium fragments, mandible

loose teeth,post-cranial fragments

Human skeleton

Human skeleton

post-cranial fragments

maxilla fragment,teeth/fragments

Human skeleton
The preservation of UP 77 was very poor, and none of the larger bones were intact. Of the skull, only the left maxilla with five teeth, 17 loose teeth and a few fragments could be retrieved. No recognizable vertebrae, claviculae or scapulae were found and the ribs and pelvis were extremely fragmented. Sections of both humeri, the right radius, both ulnae, femora, patellae, tibiae and fibulae were found, as well as some hand- and foot bones. Sex estimation was extremely difficult due to the fragmentary nature of the remains. Neither the pelvis nor the skull was sufficiently intact to be of any help.

Human skeleton A section of the skull had been exposed, and was bleached by the sun. The face, mandible and all teeth were missing. The remaining parts consisted of pieces of the neurocranium, which were reconstructed. All vertebrae, both scapulae and claviculae, many of the ribs, fragments of the pelvis and the complete right upper limb were preserved. The lower limbs were represented by a piece of fibula and the right foot. Sex and age The pelvis was very fragmentary, but the sciatic notches seemed narrow. The individual was robustly build, with a prominent inion and pronounced muscular markings on the skull. All the humeral measurements clearly fell within the ranges for black South African males. A tentative diagnosis of a male individual was made. Very few specific indicators of age were available to judge the age by. The long bone epiphyses were all closed, indicating an adult individual. All cranial sutures were open, but some of the vertebrae showed early signs of osteophytic lipping. The age was thus estimated to have been about 30 -50 years. Race and stature No reliable cranial measurements could be taken, but the skull was clearly dolichocephalic (long and narrow). This may indicate an individual of South African Negroid descent. A wide interparietal groove, seen in this individual, often occurs in people of Khoisan descent, but may also be present in South African Negroes. The stature, calculated with the help of the radius, was about 162 cm. This is fairly short for a person of South African black individual. Health No clear signs of disease could be found. No cribraorbitalia were present. Early osteophytic lipping was present on some of the cervical and lumbar vertebrae. Bone samples Bone samples which may be used for future DNA analysis were collected. Another bone sample was submitted to the CSIR for radiocarbon dating. Grave goods and cultural context Only one potsherd was found, to the back of the third lumbar vertebra. No other grave goods were present. No signs of occupation were found in the surrounding area, but the grass was very long. It is suggested that the area be investigated in late winter when the vegetation is less dense. The remains are those of a possibly black, male individual of about 30 - 50 years of age. No signs of disease or clues as to the cause of death were seen. No clear indication as to the cultural context could be obtained, and the results of the radiocarbon dating will be interpreted along with the evidence from the single potsherd to obtain an estimate of the time period during which the individual was buried.

powder collected from 3 molars

enamel powder from 3 molars

Barrel No: 

Country of Manufacture & Date: Germany

Location: Krugersdorp Civic Memorial 

Ownership: City

Condition: Wheels good. Stripped. Needs a respray.

Comments: Needs to be finally identified and classified. 

Date Confirmed: 1.9.24

temporary export of bovid maxilla

Dental calculus on tooth

Dental calculus on tooth