Electron probe X-ray microanalysis of internal structures in a fossil hominid mandible and its implications for biomechanical modelling

Computerized tomography (CT) has the potential to be a non-destructive means of investigating the biomechanical properties of mandibular form of both modern and fossil specimens, especially with regard to internal morphology. Scanning electron microscopy and electron probe X-ray microanalysis have been used to investigate the calcium and phosphorus content of spicules from a mandible of Paranthropus from Swartkrans, dated from 1.8 to 1.5 Myr. The results confirm that the internal lattices observed by CT imaging may be treated as a guide to trabecular networks for the purpose of biomechanical modelling and interpretation. -from Authors