SK 48

Infobox fossil


catalog number = SK 48
common name =
species = "Paranthropus robustus"
age = 1.8 mya
place discovered = Swartkrans, South Africa
date discovered = 1948
discovered by = Robert Broom

SK 48 is a fossilized skull of the species "Paranthropus robustus". It was found at Swartkrans, South Africa in 1948 by Robert Broom.

It is estimated to be 1.8 million years old.

It is characterized by a robust appearance, bulging and continuous brow, broad flat face and a deep jaw with large chewing teeth/muscle attachments.

The mandible SK 23 was discovered at the same time and in the same location. Even though studies indicate that it came from a separate individual, the two fossils are considered so closely related that they can be studied together. The mandible is also very robust and contains a complete dentition.

ee also

* List of fossil sites "(with link directory)"
* List of hominina (hominid) fossils "(with images)"

References

* [http://www.archaeologyinfo.com/sk48.htm Image of SK 48]
*cite book | author=Tattersall, Ian, Schwartz, Jeffery | title=Extinct Humans | publisher=Westview Press, Boulder CO |date=2000 |id=ISBN 0-8133-3482-9
*cite web | url=http://www.mos.org/evolution/fossils/fossilview.php?fid=32 | title=Museum of Science | accessdate=2007-07-11
*cite book|author=Larsen, Clark Spencer, Matter, Robert M, Gebo, Daniel L|title=Human Origins: the fossil record|publisher=Waveland Press, Prospect Heights, IL|date=1991|id=ISBN 0-88133-575-4

External links

* [http://www.mnh.si.edu/anthro/humanorigins/ha/sk48.html Smithsonian]