Human:
- Omnivorous
- Hominin Dental formula 2:1:2:3
- Incisors are larger than other mammals
- Canines small
- Premolars and molars have low, rounded cusps divided by distinct grooves

Animal:
- Carnivorous, Herbivorous, Omnivorous
- Basic dental formula 3:1:4:3
- Horse maxillary incisors are larger
- Carnivores have large conical canines
- Herbivores have small or missing canines
- Carnivores have sharp, pointed cheek teeth
- Herbivores have broad, flat cheek teeth with parallel furrows and ridges

Human vs Animal Teeth Identification

Human:
- Upper limbs less robust
- Radius and ulna are separate bones
- Large, flat, and broad vertebral bodies with short spinous processes
- Sacrum with five fused vertebrae
- Pelvis is broad, bowl-shaped
- Femur is the longest bone in the body, linea aspera is singular feature
- Separate tibia and fibula
- Foot is long and narrow, weight borne on heel and toes

Animal:
- Robust upper limbs
- Radius and ulna fused
- Large, flat and broad vertebral bodies with short spinous processes
- Small vertebral bodies with convex/concave surfaces and long spinous processes
- Sacrum with three or four fused vertebrae
- Pelvis is long and narrow
- Femur is similar length to other limb bones
- Tibia and fibula are often fused
- Foot is broad, weight borne mainly on toes

Post Cranial Human vs Animal Identification 

Human:
- large vault, small face
- Smooth vault
- Inferior Foramen Magnum
- Chin present
- Orbits at the front, above the nasal aperture
- Minimal nasal and midface projection
- “U”-shaped mandible


Animal:
- Small vault, large face
- Pronounced muscle markings,
- Sagittal crest inferior
- Posterior Foramen Magnum
- Absent chin
- Orbits at sides, posterior to nasal aperture
- Significant nasal and midface projection
- “V”-shaped mandible 

Cranium Remains Human vs Animal

- Teeth Identification
- Post Cranial Identification
- Cranium Identification

Arizona State University

Animal bone is one of the most commonly recovered material from archaeological sites. Identifying the full range of species requires access to a comparative collection and experience with archaeological material.

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