Age, sex and the life course : population variability in human ageing and implications for bioarchaeology
Sex and age identification of human skeletal remains is essential in forensic anthropology, bioarchaeology and palaeodemography, and estimations rely on the use of proven methods. Many methods exist and are generally applied to skeletons from all time periods and geographic locations, despite studies suggesting that there are differences in the expression of traits characteristic of males and females and that ageing rates vary within and between populations. The aim of this project was to study variation in ageing and sexual dimorphism in six documented collections from different geographic locations and/or time periods. Age and sex methods were tested on adult skeletal remains dating from the 17th to 20th century from Canada, England, South Africa, and Portugal. Ageing methods used were focused on the fourth ribâs sternal end, cranial sutures, pubic symphysis and auricular surface. A more subjective age estimate for each individual was also produced, using informal skeletal age indicators alongside formal methods. Sex determinations were based on pelvic and skull morphology, and metrical analysis. Differences were found between some collections in terms of the distribution of age phases and mean ages per
Sharman, Jennifer Alexia
Age, sex and the life course : population variability in human ageing and implications for bioarchaeology. Sex and age identification of human skeletal remains is essential in forensic anthropology, bioarchaeology and palaeodemography, and estimations rely on the use of proven methods. Many methods exist and are generally applied to skeletons from all time periods and geographic locations, despite studies suggesting that there are differences in the expression of traits characteristic of males and females and that ageing rates vary within and between populations. The aim of this project was to study variation in ageing and sexual dimorphism in six documented collections from different geographic locations and/or time periods. Age and sex methods were tested on adult skeletal remains dating from the 17th to 20th century from Canada, England, South Africa, and Portugal. Ageing methods used were focused on the fourth ribâs sternal end, cranial sutures, pubic symphysis and auricular surface. A more subjective age estimate for each individual was also produced, using informal skeletal age indicators alongside formal methods. Sex determinations were based on pelvic and skull morphology, and metrical analysis. Differences were found between some collections in terms of the distribution of age phases and mean ages per
age_sex life_course population variability human age implication bioarchaeology sex_age identification human_skeletal_remain essential forensic anthropology bioarchaeology estimation rely use proven method many method exist generally apply skeleton time_period geographic location despite study suggest difference expression characteristic male females age rate vary within population aim_project study variation age sexual_dimorphism documented collection different geographic location and time_period age_sex method test adult skeletal_remains date canada england south_africa portugal ageing method_use focus fourth rib end cranial surface subjective age estimate individual also produce use informal skeletal age indicator alongside formal method sex determination base skull morphology metrical analysis differences find collection term distribution age phase mean age per