A Neolithic fragmentary skull from Erg Djourab in Chad. Anthropological and paleopathological observations.

A fragmentary skull, found in the Erg Djourab region (Chad) in 1996, and da ted 8400 +/- 1100 years BP by a direct gamma-ray spectrometric method, and 3310 to 2895 years(calibrated age, 95 %) BC by C-14 method, is studied here . The skull, referred to Neolithic period, is elongated, massive, and prese nts a thickening in some zones of the vault, probably caused by a trauma. O n the basis of the analysis of cranial sutures and dental wear, the skull c an be referred to an adult male of 30-35 years of age, and can be arranged among the Neolithic populations of Central Sahara.