The serial position of the Trinil upper molars

The two fossil molars from Trinil have been studied again, because many scientists failed to examine these fossils in detail. First of all, this paper deals with isolated orang-utan molars, to find out whether it is possible to determine the position of an isolated molar in the dentition. The conclusion is that this is impossible. Therefore, the upper molar of orang-utan have been studied in situ. After the two fossils are described in detail, they are morphologically compared to the orang molars. It can be concluded that it is probable that: the fossils are third upper molars, though they might also be second upper molars. whether the fossils have belonged to an orang is, however, doubtful. The wrinkling pattern on the molars can bring no solution. So the general conclusion of this research has to be that it is an impossible job to determine the serial position of the Trinil upper molars, and for that matter any isolated molar.