Early hominid enamel hypoplasia.
Enamel hypoplasia in the South African Plio-Pleistocene fossil hominid sample is examined. The Swartkrans hominids are shown to have a higher incidence of hypoplasia than the Sterkfontein hominids. Within the Swartkrans sample, individuals with hypoplasia of the first upper molar have lower-than-expected ages of death. Possible taphonomic explanations for these observations are discussed.
D000818:Animals; D003744:Dental Enamel Hypoplasia / Q000266:history*; D005580:Fossils; D000882:Haplorhini / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar; D010161:Paleodontology; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous