It required the integration of dental pathology expertise (Vlok), analytical chemistry (Matheson), and pharmacology (Papke) with the archaeological expertise of Brumm and the Indonesian team.

No single specialist could have made this discovery alone.

The finding is also a reminder that the most important discoveries often come from looking carefully at things that are already in hand.

The jaw fragment and molars had presumably been in the collection for some time before the distinctive wear pattern was recognized as the key to this story.

The evidence was there; the interpretive framework that made it meaningful was still being assembled.

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