Ref ID:	27814
Ref Type:	Journal Article
Authors:	Huffman, O.F. Zaim, Y. Kappelman, J. Ruez D.R. de Vos, J. Rival, Y. Aziz, F. Hertler, C.
Title:	Relocation of the 1936 Mojokerto skull discovery site near Perning, East Java
Date:	2006
Source:	Journal of Human Evolution
DOI:	10.1016/j.jhevol.2005.11.002
Abstract:	The fossil calvaria known as the Mojokerto child's skull was discovered in 1936, but uncertainties have persisted about its paleoenvironment context and geological age because of difficulties in relocating the discovery site. Past relocation efforts were hindered by inaccuracies in old base maps, intensive post-1930s agricultural terracing, and new tree and brush growth. Fortunately geologic cross sections and site photographs from 1936-1938--not fully utilized in past relocation fieldwork--closely circumscribe site geography and geology. These documents match the conditions at just one sandstone outcrop. It is situated on the southern margin of a topographic nose at the upper end of a approximately 18 m-wide gully (approximately 0663769 m E, 9183430 m N, UTM Zone 49 M), approximately 15 m southeast of the Kumai et al. (1985) relocation. The relocated discovery bed is approximately 3.3 m of fossiliferous pebbly sandstone a river-channel deposit cut into tufaceous mudstone. The sandstone and mudstone beds correspond to original site descriptions. Pebbly sandstone is also found within the skull. The calvaria is well-persevered fossils were found intact at the surface of the sandstone, the good condition of the Mojokerto skull suggests that it was buried fully when discovered. The relocated hominin bed is the uppermost fluvial sandstone of a marine-deltaic sequence in the upper Pucangan Formation. The Mojokerto child probably died along the ancient seacoast, judging from the large extent of the deltaic facies and evidence that the calvaria experienced minimal transport. The relocated discovery is approximately 20m stratigraphically above the horizon from which the widely cited 1.81+/-0.04Ma (40)Ar/(39) Ar date for the skull was obtained. Additional field and laboratory results will be required to determine the skull's age.
Date Created:	2/3/2016
Volume:	50
Number:	4
Page Start:	431
Page End:	451