ABSTRACT
There is a general consensus that the craniofacial region of "robust” australopithecines was especially adapted for the generation and dissipation of powerful masticatory forces (e.g., Robinson, 1956; Leakey, 1959; Tobias, 1967; Crompton and Hiiemae, 1969; Jolly, 1970; Pilbeam, 1972; Wolpoff, 1973; Simons, 1972; DuBrul, 1977; Hylander, 1979a; Grine, 1981, 1984; Rak, 1983, this volume, chapter 12; Kay and Grine, this volume, chapter 26). Recent experimental work on muscle-activity patterns, loading patterns, and jaw movements in primates provides a better indication as to the possible nature of these masticatory muscle and reaction forces. This chapter will focus on the implications of these experimental data for interpreting the morphology of “ robust” australopithecine jaws.
