Open AccessElectronic removal of encrustations inside the Steinheim cranium reveals paranasal sinus features and deformations, and provides a revised endocranial volume estimate
Author(s) -
Prossinger Hermann,
Seidler Horst,
Wicke Lothar,
Weaver Dave,
Recheis Wolfgang,
Stringer Chris,
Müller Gerd B.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
the anatomical record part b: the new anatomist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1552-4914
pISSN - 1552-4906
DOI - 10.1002/ar.b.10022
Subject(s) - volume (thermodynamics) , sinus (botany) , skull , anatomy , frontal sinus , paranasal sinuses , medicine , physics , radiology , biology , thermodynamics , genus , botany
Features in the endocranium, as revealed by computed tomography (CT) scans of largely complete mid‐Pleistocene crania, have helped elucidate unexpected affinities in the genus Homo . Because of its extensive encrustations and deformations, it has been difficult to repeat such analyses with the Steinheim cranium. Here, we present several advances in the analysis of this Homo heidelbergensis cranium by applying filter algorithms and image editing techniques to its CT scan. First, we show how the encrustations have been removed electronically, revealing interesting peculiarities, particularly the many directions of the deformations. Second, we point out similarities and differences between the frontal and sphenoidal sinuses of the Steinheim, Petralona, and Broken Hill (Kabwe) crania. Third, we assess the extent of the endocranial deformations and, fourth, their implications for our estimation of the braincase volume. Anat Rec (Part B: New Anat) 273B:132–142, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.