In:
Medico-Legal Journal, SAGE Publications, Vol. 86, No. 3 ( 2018-09), p. 139-142
Kurzfassung:
Following a global morphological and micro-CT scan examination of the original and cast of the skeleton of Australopithecus afarensis AL 288 (‘Lucy’), Kappelman et al. have recently proposed a diagnosis of a fall from a significant height (a tree) as a cause of her death. According to topographical data from the discovery site, complete re-examination of a high-quality resin cast of the whole skeleton and forensic experience, we propose that the physical process of a vertical deceleration cannot be the only cause for her observed injuries. Two different factors were involved: rolling and multiple impacts in the context of a mudslide and an animal attack with bite marks, multi-focal fractures and violent movement of the body. It is important to consider a differential diagnosis of the observed fossil lesions because environmental factors should not be excluded in this ancient archaeological context as with any modern forensic anthropological case.
Materialart:
Online-Ressource
ISSN:
0025-8172
,
2042-1834
DOI:
10.1177/0025817217749504
Sprache:
Englisch
Verlag:
SAGE Publications
Publikationsdatum:
2018
ZDB Id:
2545609-X
SSG:
2
