Upper Jaw (IMAGE)

European Synchrotron Radiation Facility

Upper Jaw

Caption

State-of-the-art synchrotron imaging of the tiny upper jaw (maxilla) of the Engis 2 Neanderthal allows scientists to virtually isolate the permanent teeth inside the bone (center image), count tiny growth lines inside the first molar teeth (lower image), and determine that it died at age 3. The fossil is courtesy of the Université de Liège. To watch a 3-D animation of how the individual’s age was determined, visit http://www.heb.fas.harvard.edu/Press.

Credit

Photo credits Graham Chedd (PBS), Paul Tafforeau (ESRF), and Tanya Smith (Harvard University and MPI-EVA).

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