Gender

Gender determination of the 41BX6 cranium is difficult due to a mosaic pattern of gender-related morphological traits. The overall appearance of the
cranium suggests a young adult male. However, individual characteristics such as the absence of pronounced supraorbital ridges, mastoid processes,
and development of the areas of muscle attachment suggest a more female appearance. The presence of the frontal eminences is also more typical of
females than males. The young age of the individual might, to some extent, explain the lack of muscular development. In addition, gracility may be a
genetic condition more common in some populations, such as Mexican Americans. It is best to suggest the cranium probably belonged to a younger
male with the possibility of female not being totally ruled out.

Biological Affinity

Determination of the biological affinity of the 41BX6 cranium is of interest given its historical importance. Morphological differentiation is therefore
sought between Hispanic, non-Hispanic Anglo, and Native American patterning. Unfortunately, few traits which can be used for this ethnic
differentiation exist, particularly in the 41BX6 cranium which is lacking the entire facial region. Furthermore, it is possible that tri-populational
(Hispanic, Anglo, and indigenous Native Americans) interbreeding occurred among the populations which existed in this region. This intermixing of
genes from different groups would result in diminishing definitive biological affinity characteristics.

Nevertheless, the sagittal and lambdoidal sutures are both simple, a feature not typical of Native Americans and more typical of individuals of
European derived ancestry. Similarly, the gracile nature of the cranium is more typical of European ancestry (and more so of Mexicans) than Native
American.

These few features suggest that the cranium most likely did not belong to a Native American. Whether the 41BX6 cranium represented a Hispanic, a
non-Hispanic Anglo, a mestizo or other population can not be determined with confidence.

Cause of Death

Numerous cracks, holes, and depressions on the 41BX6 cranium deserve consideration in assessing the cause of death. The missing face itself may
be indicative of some antemortem trauma or a time interval between death and burial in which the skeleton was subjected to a myriad of taphonomic
forces resulting in modification of the bone. Certainly disarticulation occurred as well as desiccation. Most of the surface cracks can be attributed to
ground pressure sustained by interment and therefore not indicative of the manner of death. The largest holes (missing areas, exclusive of the facial
elements) in the cranium are located in the left and right pterion regions, the left parietal near lambda, the region of the right mastoid, posterior to the
foramen magnum, and surrounding the basilar portion of the occipital bone. The holes range to approximately 2 cm in diameter. Whether the holes
were formed ante or postmortem is unknown.

A final feature of interest is a modification to the left frontal. Here, a depression or gash, measuring 2.6 cm long and 0.2 cm wide at its widest point,
runs obliquely over the left eye The depth of the defect is generally shallow, but in the center reaches the diploe layer. The gross pattern of this defect
is consistent with sharp trauma. However, under microscopic