[By Dr Aleš Hrdlička, Associate in Anthropology, Pathological
Institute, New York]
_The Skeleton_
All the bones of the skeleton are present, except the sternum, the
coccyx, a few of the teeth, and a few of the small bones of the
extremities.
It is a skeleton of a young adult, between 20 and 24 years of age,
female. The age of the subject is indicated mainly by the unattached
epiphyses of the long and some of the short bones, those epiphyses,
namely, which are the last to coossify. The femininity of the subject
is indicated by the generally slightly marked ridges, etc., of muscular
attachment, and by the decidedly feminine character of the pelvis
(light, well-spread ilia, broad subpubic arch) and of the skull (lack
of supraorbital ridges, thin dental arches, small mastoids, etc.).
There are no wounds or pathological conditions noticeable on the
skeleton. Several peculiarities and anomalies are observable. They will
be described with the parts they concern.
The measurements to follow are expressed in centimeters. The French
anthropometric methods and nomenclature have been adopted.
_The Skull_
The skull is of fair size, and is symmetrical throughout, with the
exception of a slight irregularity in the occipital region. All the
sutures, with the exception of the basilar, open; nerve foramina all
large; serrations rather simple; no intercalate bones of any kind.
_Norma frontalis_—Visage symmetrical. Forehead well arched, medium
height. Supraorbital ridges almost absent; glabella convex.
Nasion depression medium. Orbits obliquely quadrilateral; their axes
(internal inferior corner—internal superior corner) meet at ophryon.
Spheno-maxillary fissure, lachrymal canal, and nerve foramina all above
average in size. Nasal bones well bridged, very slightly concave; nasal
aperture regular; no “gouttières”; turbinated bones well formed; septum
wanting; spine 0.65 long, bifid at the end. Zygomæ of medium size and
strength. Superior maxilla of medium size, well formed. Dental arches
regular; no prognathism. Bone of lower jaw moderately strong; does not
protrude anteriorly; conformation normal.
[Illustration: BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY