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Related Experiment Videos

Canine "honing" in Australopithecus afarensis.

L O Greenfield1

  • 1Department of Anthropology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122.

American Journal of Physical Anthropology
|June 1, 1990
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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The maxillary canine wear facets in Australopithecus afarensis differ from typical honing facets in other primates. These facets likely served to blunt the canine for consistent occlusion with cheek teeth.

Area of Science:

  • Paleoanthropology
  • Primate Anatomy
  • Dental Wear Analysis

Background:

  • Australopithecus afarensis fossils exhibit unique wear patterns on their maxillary canines.
  • These wear facets superficially resemble primate honing facets but have distinct characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the nature and function of distal wear facets on Australopithecus afarensis maxillary canines.
  • To determine if these facets are homologous or functionally equivalent to primate honing facets.

Main Methods:

  • Detailed morphological examination of maxillary canine wear facets in Australopithecus afarensis.
  • Comparative analysis with honing facets found in other anthropoid species.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

  • The wear facets on Australopithecus afarensis canines are not homologous or functionally equivalent to primate honing facets.
  • These facets are not indicative of canine use as a weapon or for mastication.

    • Conclusions:

    • The distal wear facets on Australopithecus afarensis maxillary canines represent a blunting mechanism.
    • This blunting facilitated consistent occlusion with the P3, aligning with cheek tooth function.