Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 94. (Budapest 2002)

Bernert, Zs., Csapó, J. ; Eszterhás, I.: Analysis of the anthropological material of Balatonederics Döme Cave

masticatory surface was only superficial, roots of teeth are not transparent, there was no trace of pyorrhea, the upper M

3 (wisdom teeth) only partially erupted. Epiphysises were still separate from diaphysises in the ossification zones of long bones - these could be examined on the femur (thigh bone) and on the humerus (upper arm bone). We estimated the biological age of the individual whose skeleton we analysed at 15-20 years, that is, at young adult age. The characteristics presenting sexual dimorphism produced contradictory results. The grade of development of cranial relieves bore a female expression, while the grade of formation of muscular insertion surfaces (locations) presented a male character. The mandible (jaw bone) was completely male in its outlook, as well as the fragments of post-cranial bones according to their absolute measurements (Table 1). As far as macroscopically scorable pathological alterations could be observed a slight ostheoporosis (thinning out of solid bone tissue) was found, that could be localized for the outer side of orbita (osseous eye socket). No trace of any other pathologic lesion could be seen on the incomplete skeleton. The cause of death could not be established. The excavation's documentation contains not a word on the grave-spot. The very well preserved, but incomplete condition of the skeleton makes any sort of burial dubious, however, the incomplete and fragmentary nature of the skeleton could be brought about by post-burial disturbing. It is probable, that the young adult has fallen into the cave, as his bones were uncovered ten meters below the level of the present entrance (Fig. 2). Inprobable, but also one of the theoretical possibilities is, that some carnivorous animals dragged the human remains into the cave, and this could provide a plausible explanation for the fragmentary, incomplete condition of the skeleton. No trace of animal teeth could be observed on the bones. The significant dimensions of the skull are presented in Table 2. Our data are strictly informative, as these bones are those of a juvenile individual. Table 1. Degree of sexualization Sexing traits Degree of sexuality Sexing traits Degree of sexuality Tuber frontale et parietale -1 Os zygomaticum + 1 Glabella, arcus superciliaris -2 Corpus mandibulae 0 Processus mastoideus + 1 Protuberantia mentalis +2 Protuberantia occipitalis externa -1 Angulus mandibulae + 1 Squama occipitalis + 1 Caput mandibulae 0 Margo supraorbitale -2