Age estimation from the auricular surface of the ilium: a revised method
Abstract
A revised method for estimating adult age at death using the auricular surface of the ilium has been developed. It is based on the existing auricular surface aging method of Lovejoy et al. ([1985] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 68:15–28), but the revised technique is easier to apply, and has low levels of inter‐ and intraobserver error. The new method records age‐related stages for different features of the auricular surface, which are then combined to provide a composite score from which an estimate of age at death is obtained. Blind tests of the method were carried out on a known‐age skeletal collection from Christ Church, Spitalfields, London. These tests showed that the dispersion of age at death for a given morphological stage was large, particularly after the first decade of adult life. Statistical analysis showed that the age‐related changes in auricular surface are not significantly different for males and females. The scores from the revised method have a slightly higher correlation with age than do the Suchey‐Brooks pubic symphysis stages. Considering the higher survival rates of the auricular surface compared with the pubic symphysis, this method promises to be useful for biological anthropology and forensic science. Am J Phys Anthropol 119:231–239, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
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Sex differences were deemed insignificant for auricular surface and acetabulum methods by Buckberry and Chamberlain and Rissech and Malgosa, while the pubic symphyseal surface method had distinct age ranges between males and females.
“Although sex differences were deemed insignificant for auricular surface and acetabulum methods by Buckberry and Chamberlain [15] and Rissech and Malgosa [30], the pubic symphyseal surface method had distinct age ranges between males and females [13] (Table 3).”
From Three methods of estimating age‐at‐death using three different regions on the os coxa (2026) · cites this paper as [15]
Because the auricular surface is resistant to taphonomic processes, it can be useful when fragmentary remnants are present.
“Additionally, because the auricular surface is resistant to taphonomic processes, it can be useful when fragmentary remnants are present [14, 15]”
From Three methods of estimating age‐at‐death using three different regions on the os coxa (2026) · cites this paper as [15]
The Suchey-Brooks pubic symphyseal surface method was reported to be more accurate in younger individuals 18-40 years.
“The Suchey‐Brooks pubic symphyseal surface method was reported to be more accurate in younger individuals 18–40 years [15].”
From Three methods of estimating age‐at‐death using three different regions on the os coxa (2026) · cites this paper as [15]
Cites
Age changes in the pubic bone. I. The male white pubis
Todd, T. W. (1920) · American Journal of Physical Anthropology · doi:10.1002/ajpa.1330030301 · Cited by 733 · see citing works
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Velsko, I. M., Fellows Yates, J. A., Aron, F., Hagan, R. W., Frantz, L. A. F., Loe, L., Martinez, J. B. R., Chaves, E., Gosden, C., Larson, G., et al. (2019) · Microbiome · doi:10.1186/s40168-019-0717-3 · Cited by 170 · see citing works
Bioarchaeology of human skeletons from an elite tomb at Pacopampa in Peru’s northern highlands.
NAGAOKA, T., SEKI, Y., HIDALGO, J. P. V., & CHOCANO, D. M. (2020) · Anthropological Science · doi:10.1537/ase.200218 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Three methods of estimating age‐at‐death using three different regions on the os coxa
Mkhonza, S. S., Ngubane, N. P., Aladeyelu, O. S., & Rennie, C. O. (2026) · Journal of Forensic Sciences · doi:10.1111/1556-4029.70219
- Authors
- Buckberry, J. L., & Chamberlain, A. T.
- Venue
- American Journal of Physical Anthropology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2002-10-03
- Volume
- 119
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 231-239
- ISSN
- 0002-9483
- 1096-8644
- Cited by
- 662
- References
- 1
- Language
- en
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