Age at death may be estimated from ancient skeletons in a number of ways: (a) Epiphyseal fusion. Long bones grow in zones just behind their joint surfaces. Thus a growing bone consists of three elements: the central part, or diaphysis, and the ends, the ephiyses. When the bone reaches adult size, the epiphyses fuse onto the diaphysis. The average age at which this occurs is known for many bones in the skeletons of man and most domestic animals. The stage of epiphyseal fusion reached in bones from archaeological sites may therefore be used as a guide to age at death. Fusion of other skeletal elements may be used in the same way. There is, however, considerable variation between individuals, and the method has to be used with some caution. (b) Dental eruption. Teeth in most animals erupt in a well-established sequence. Average ages for each stage of the sequence are known for man and most domestic animals. The state of eruption of teeth in ancient jaws may therefore be used to estimate age at death. (c) Dental attrition. Given a standard diet, teeth of different individuals should wear at roughly the same rate. Degree of wear should therefore represent the age of the animals. Tables of rate of wear have been established for man, but other animals must have this method calibrated by dental eruption. (d) Antlers. In the deer, the stage of development of antlers is roughly related to age, but this is not very reliable as an ageing method. (e) Pubic symphysis. In man, progressive changes on the joint surfaces of the pubic symphysis occur with age, and can be used successfully to age male individuals. (f) Dental microstructure. Counting of incremental structures in teeth may allow estimation of age at death. Bone microstructure may also prove useful for ageing.
The Macmillan dictionary of archaeology, Ruth D. Whitehouse, 1983Copied