The Starchild Skull was reportedly damaged in a flood, which left much of the face missing. However one small fragment of maxilla (upper jaw) was saved. Dr. Sweet and Dr. Robinson agree that, based on the developmental stage of the teeth in this fragment, the Starchild was a child aged no more than 6 at the time of death. This is somewhat contradicted by other evidence, such as the adult way the suture lines (the joins in the bone plates of the skull) are knitted, and the heavy wear on the teeth, so there is still some debate about age at death.