PRIMITIVE SKULL.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1922, Page 2

PRIMITIVE SKULL.

AUSTRALIAN DISCOVERY. ANOTHER LINK IN CHAIN. Sydney, Feb. 8. What promises to be an important link in the chain of history regarding the evolution of the human race is the recent discovery in Sydney of the skull of a primitive Australian aboriginal. This, together with the recent find of the much-discussed Rhodesian skull, supplies an almost complete series from practically the ape to the definite human type. < Tjiis Australian aboriginal skull was ’by Mr. Gly.de, of Burwood, to the 'University of Sydney, An examination yvits inade by Professor J. I, Hunter and Dr. Burkitt.’ The skull was so primitive * that it was decided to make a further minute examination and publish the description. It has been found since that the skull bears some similarity to the European Neanderthal skull fossil. The examination of this and the Australian Museum skulls enabled Professor Hunter and Dr. Burkitt to put forward a theory which explains many of the facial characteristics of the Australian aboriginal. The skull was taken to England by Professor Hunter. This theory has been favorably received in London. The paper •of Professor Hunter and Dr. Burkitt was read at the annual meeting of the Anatomical Society in London on November 28.

In a letter to Dr. Burkitt, Professor Hunter points ou-t that the recent research on the head of the Australian aboriginal is of importance in interpreting the recently discovered Rhodesian skull. Professor Hunter writes: —“This is a most important find. In regard to the African skull, I think everyone will eventually agree with Elliot Smith that it is between the Java apeman (Pithecantlyopus) and the Neanderthal as fains primitivity of development is. concerned. The snoutiness is extraordinary well marked. The eyebrow ridges extend a great way laterally.”

These and other comparisons are embiidied in Professor Hunter’s letter and the brilliant young Sydney professor is of the opinion that it is one of the most important finds of recent times. Dr. Burkitt is at present engaged in further extensive researches on the subject.