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Engis: Preparation damage, not ancient cutmarks
Author(s) -
White Tim D.,
Toth Nicholas
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.1330780305
Subject(s) - prehistory , sandpaper , archaeology , paleontology , geology , art , geography , visual arts
Abstract Scratches found on the Engis 2 cranium have been described as perimortem and interpreted as intentional scalping marks by Russell and LeMort (Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 69 :317–323, 1986). These marks are described and compared to damage on other fossil hominids. The Engis marks have been misinterpreted. These marks are sandpaper striae formed during restoration of the vault, moulding striae formed when mold part lines were incised into the fossil and profiling striae formed when craniograms were made with sharp steel instrument tips. None of them have anything to do with prehistoric behavior.