Bone Markings: Something for Researchers to Chew on (4 of 4) (IMAGE)

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Bone Markings: Something for Researchers to Chew on (4 of 4)

Caption

This image shows the fine parallel striae on the tip of a crocodile functional tooth (modern crocodile). Such damage often results from contact between the reptile's tooth and the substrate and can mimic stone tool damage when in contact with bone. This microscopic feature is one of the sources of microstriations that accompany crocodile bite marks. This image relates to an article that appeared in the April 6, 2012, issue of Science, published by AAAS. The Perspective, by Jackson Njau at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., was titled, "Reading Pliocene Bones."

Credit

Image courtesy of J.K. Njau

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