SK 48

SK 48 is a fossilized skull of the species Paranthropus robustus. It was found at Swartkrans, South Africa, in 1950 by a quarry-worker.^[1] Estimated to be about 1.8 million years old, it is characterized by a robust appearance, bulging and continuous brow, broad flat face and a deep jaw with large chewing teeth/muscle attachments. It retained a canine, premolar and three molars. SK 48 was an adult at the time of death, indicated by all three molars being present. In 1952, paleontologist Robert Broom inferred that it is a female due to the diminutive sagittal crest.^[1]

The mandible SK 23 was discovered at the same time and in the same location. Even though studies indicate that it came from a separate individual, the two fossils are considered so closely related that they can be studied together. The mandible is also very robust and contains a complete dentition.

• List of fossil sites (with link directory)
• List of hominina (hominid) fossils (with images)

• Larsen, Clark Spencer, Matter, Robert M, Gebo, Daniel L (1991). Human Origins: the fossil record. Waveland Press, Prospect Heights, IL. ISBN 978-0-88133-575-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• Tattersall, Ian, Schwartz, Jeffery (2000). Extinct Humans. Westview Press, Boulder CO. ISBN 978-0-8133-3482-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

• Image of SK 48
• "Museum of Science". Retrieved 2007-07-11.
• Media related to SK 48 at Wikimedia Commons