Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 79. (Budapest 1987)

Kordos, L.: Description and reconstruction of the skull of Rudapithecus hungaricus Kretzoi (Mammalia)

Fig. 2. Occlusal and lingual views of the left toothrow of RUD-77 while the other teeth are only slightly worn (Fig. 2). The sagittal axes of the toothrows are divergent downwards. The contours of P

i and P

3 are subrectangular. The upper premolars have two transversal crests on the occlusal surface of the crown. The contour of M

3 on the crown surface is of a square shape, while in the case of M

2 and M

3 the anterior part is wider than the posterior one. The paracone and the metacone of M

1 are of the same size and are well developed. The paracone of M- is of a more buccal position than the smaller metacone. On both teeth the protocones are eroded. The buccal and lingual cingula could not be found. Joined to the M

1 and M

2 of the left toothrow, together with some bone-tissue of the maxilla, a fragment of the palatine was also preserved. The height of the latter, as compared to the crown surface, is low. RECONSTRUCTION OF THE RUDAPITHECUS HUNGARICUS KRETZOI SKULL Reconstruction of the Rudapithecus hungaricus KRETZOI skull offers decisive new data and aspects concerning the evolution of the apes and the process of hominization. The sometimes perfectly accurate assemblage of the bone fragments of the skull of RUD-77, and some former Rudapithecus finds permits us the so far most precise reconstruction. Lateral profile of the skull — On the basis of the RUD-77 find the contour of the calvaria sagittal could be determined as starting from the glabella through the metopion and bregma to the opisthocranion (Fig. 3). From this view it is obvious that the skull is fiat and rounded and contains no sagittal crest and supraorbital tori. It is still not clear whether the position of the basis part of the sphenoidal bone is lower or higher. Depending on its position the vertical situation may be deep (like in Macaco) or high (like in Pan). In the course of the reconstruction the position meeting the criteria of the Frankfurt horizon