Mandibular Fragments Research Articles

The Significance of the Archaeological Discoveries at Hopefield, South Africa

THE GENERAL LOCATION AND APPEARANCE of the four square miles of fossiliferous and implementiferous sands on the farm 'Elandsfontein', ten miles from Hopefield and ioo miles from Cape Town, have previously been referred to (Drennan I954; Singer I954), and a fairly comprehensive report on the surface geology has now been published (Mabbutt I956). Since the location of the site by one of us (R.S.) in I95I, approximately i,ooo artifacts and over 6oo debitage fragments as well as more than 3,500 fossil specimens, including those of the Saldanha Skull, have been collected by a small team of the staff and students of the University of Cape Town. During the past few months intensive classification and indexing of the specimens have been undertaken. A number of reports on the human Saldanha cranial and mandibular fragments have appeared (Drennan I954; Singer 1954; Drennan & Singer I955), while the fossil su4formes (Singer & Keen I955; Keen & Singer I956) and carnivora (Ewer & Singer I956) have been described. As only brief notes have been written previously on the archaeological discoveries, it has been considered essential to place on record a statistical survey of the stone implements and to discuss some of their significant applications.

THE FOSSIL CARNIVORES OF THE TRANSVAAL CAVES: CANIDAE

SUMMARYThe whole of the fossil canid material at present available from the Transvaal caves has been examined. Canis terblanchei (Broom) is considered to be a valid species, but the type specimen does not come from the Kromdraai deposit, as Broom originally stated. This species has not been found at any of the three main deposits, but at least one additional specimen lias been found at the site known as Coopers.A new species, Canis brevirostris, is described from the Sterkfontein type site. This species does not resemble either of the living South African jackals, and it has not been found at Swartkrans or Kromdraai.A large number of specimens, including material from all the three main sites, is considered to belong to a form differing only slightly from the living Canis mesomelas. Although the material may be somewhat heterogeneous it has not been found possible to sub‐divide it, and all the specimens have been referred to a subspecies of the living form which has been named Canis mesomelas pappos.The position of Canis antiquus (Broom) remains undecided.A mandibular fragment from Swartkrans is provisionally referred to Vulpes pulcher Broom.

The fossil carnivores of the Transvaal caves: Machairodontinae

Ssmmary.A new machairodont, Therailurus piveteaui, is described.The specimens from Sterkfontein described by Broom (1937) as Megantereon barlowi are discussed, and it is concluded that reference to the genus Meganttreon is incorrect. A new specimen from the same deposit appears to belong to the same species as Broom's specimens and shows many similarities to Therailurus piveteaui. It is concluded that all belong to a second species of Therailurus, which thus becomes Therailurus barlowi (Broom). On the basis of the new material an amplified description of Therailurus barlowi is given.A mandibular fragment from Swartkrans is described. Its similarities to T. piveteaui and T. barlowi indicate that it represents another species of the same genus.A new species of Megantereon, M. eurynodon, from the Kromdraai deposit is described.Two incompletely identified mandibular fragments from the Swartkrans deposit are described: of these one is referred to the Nimravidae, and the other to the Machairodontinae. The latter may possibly be a species of Megantereon.Fragmentary lower carnassials from Kromdraai are also described: these may possibly belong to a species of Epimachairodus.A list of all the known fossil machairodonts from the Transvaal deposits is given, and the implications as to the dating of the deposits are discussed. It is concluded that the material does not provide any basis for an accurate dating of the deposits, but supports the view that they are not all strictly contemporaneous. The affinities of the fauna are considered to be with South East Asia, rather than Europe.

A mandibular fragment, probably of the Saldanha skull.

A mandibular fragment, probably of the Saldanha skull.

Massive metallic implant in situ five years after resection of mandible

A case of advanced primary malignant neoplasm of the mandible without evidence of metastatis was treated with intensive pre-operative irradiation therapy (11,600 r), ∗ ∗ Actual tumor dose. followed by complete hemi-resection of the mandible by the oral route. An immediate prosthetic replacement which included a condylar process restoration was successfully accomplished. The most recent roentgenographic and laboratory studies (sixty months postoperatively) of the case here presented show no evidence of recurrence or metastasis. Good callus formation developed and firm stabilization at the site of the junction of the prosthesis to the right mandibular fragment has been maintained. Mobility of the mandible and function of the condyle of the prosthesis are adequate. The deformity of the facial features is insufficient to be classed as a cosmetic liability, as can be judged by photograph of patient taken five years after operation.

Immediate prosthesis for the resected mandible

One of the most challenging problems confronting the prosthodontist at the present time is the cosmetic and func­ tional reconstruction of the resected mandible. The search for a method of immediate and permanent replacement of this structure had led to the use of various materials and technics. Freeman1 reports several cases where Vitallium plates were used to immobilize the bony ends after resection of the mandible. He states that although the use of bars and plates in the mandible has been decried by others,2 technics, rather than the appliances employed, have been at fault. Conley and Pack3 describe a method of fixing a bone graft firmly and perma­ nently in place by the use of a stainless steel bone plate; however, the plate itself was not used as the prosthetic restoration. Castigliano and Gross4 report a case of advanced primary neoplasm treated by preoperative irradiation therapy, fol­ lowed by radical resection of the man­ dible and immediate prosthetic replace­ ment. The prosthesis consisted of a Vitallium frame, which was attached to the remaining mandibular fragment by three small Vitallium screws. An 18

Control of mandibular fragments by external fixation: W. R. Roberts. Brit. D. J. 80: 257–269, April 18, 1946; 291–301, May 3, 1946

Control of mandibular fragments by external fixation: W. R. Roberts. Brit. D. J. 80: 257–269, April 18, 1946; 291–301, May 3, 1946