 |
 |
Dear zooarchers, During the analysis of animal bones from the coastal Maya site of Xcambo, Yucatan, Mexico, I came upon fragments of a maxilla which couldn't be identified as they do not resemble anything in our comparative collection at the university or in the handbooks I have at hand. The maxilla consist of a prominent and strong canine with a nearly round cross section having a strong root and no longitudinal channel along the cusp. There is no diastema and the first premolar (which isn't preserved) had only one prominent root. Also there are two equally sized premolars with two roots each and a nearly rectangular or oval occlusal view -only the 3rd premolar is present but quite abraded, apparently it had one cusp. The entire enamel surface of all the teeth is rough, resembling what could be described as little "pores" less than a 1/4 millimeter or so, the remaining cusp of the premolar is covered with little parallel longitudinal striations as well. Also the bony surface of the maxilla is quite porous, but with the pores less "densely packed" as on the enamel. The measurements are: canine: 46+ mm long, 12 mm diameter; base of crown from 3rd. premolar 16 mm long. According to the data and comparisons, the maxilla is neither from Canidae, Felidae, Ursidae, Tapiridae or Trichechidae, nor, of course, Tayassuidae or any other artiodactyl of the area. Together with the maxilla there was also a radius found, similar to the ones from seals, of 101+ mm long and the proximal epiphysis with a greatest width of 32 mm. Regarding this, I would like to ask if anyone knows where to find osteological references, especially regarding the teeth and fore limb structure, of the extinct West Indian Seal (Monachus tropicalis) or similar species (perhaps in the internet?), because I suspect that these "unknown" bones and teeth are perhaps from that species or a similar one. Although, other seals seem to have a weaker teeth structure and the images I could check didn't show such a "rough enamel pattern", so I don't know if I am correct with my idea at all. Or maybe someone knows the described pattern from other animals I didn't take into account, but which could occur at a classic Maya site in southern Mexico? Thank you very much for your help, a happy new year and looking forward to meet you at the conference in Mexico City, Best, Christopher M. Götz, M.A. Facultad de Ciencias Antropológicas Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, México [log in to unmask] -- 10 GB Mailbox, 100 FreeSMS/Monat http://www.gmx.net/de/go/topmail +++ GMX - die erste Adresse für Mail, Message, More +++