In this article we develop and apply a method for estimating fertility in paleodemographic study. The proportion D30+/D5+, generated from standard life table calculations, is used to estimate relative rates eight Woodland Mississippian populations represented by skeletal series west-central Illinois. inferred pattern of increase through time then considered the context key variables that define diet, technology, sedentism. We conclude changes diet or food preparation techniques are...

The past decade has produced considerable debate over the feasibility of paleodemographic research, with much attention focusing on question reliability age estimates. We show here that in cases where is estimated rather than known, traditional method assigning individuals to classes will produce biased estimates structure. demonstrate effect this bias both mathematically and by computer simulation, how a more appropriate from fisheries literature (the "iterated length key") can be used...

Abstract: A great deal has previously been written about the use of skeletal morphological changes in estimating ages‐at‐death. This article looks particular at pubic symphysis, as it was historically one first regions to be described literature on age estimation. Despite lengthy history, value symphysis ages and providing evidence for putative identifications remains unclear. lack clarity primarily stems from fact that rather ad hoc statistical methods have applied previous studies....

Recent criticism of paleodemographic methods (Bocquet‐Appel and Masset 1982) has centered on biases introduced by the nature reference samples population‐specificity techniques for estimating age in skeletal remains. This paper examines five key arguments concerning this bias alleged imprecision from perspective life table analysis. The results our simulation statistical analyses indicate that leveled Bocquet‐Appel is extreme. Imprecision indicators applied to older adults remains a problem,...

Abstract Forensic anthropology typically uses osteological and/or dental data either to estimate characteristics of unidentified individuals or serve as evidence in cases where there is a putative identification. In the estimation context, problem describe aspects an individual that may lead their eventual identification, whereas evidentiary provide relative support for such sex and race be useful. Using previously published forensic case (Steadman et al. (2006) Am J Phys Anthropol...

Abstract Artificial reshaping of the cranial vault has been practiced by many human groups and provides a natural experiment in which relationships neurocranial, base, facial growth can be investigated. We test hypothesis that fronto‐occipital artificial neurocranial results specific changes base face. Fronto‐occipital from application pads or cradle board constrains growth, limiting between frontal occipital allowing compensatory parietals mediolateral direction. Two skeletal series...

A new method for estimating adult age-at-death from the first rib was developed as a modification of Kunos et al. (Am J Phys Anthropol 110 (1999) 303-323) method. Data were collected on three aspects (costal face, head, and tubercle facet) 470 known-age males Balkan ancestry evidence during investigations conducted by International Criminal Tribunal former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Ages-at-death range 12 to 90 years (mean 47.7 years). Several variables extracted original study utilizing all...

Forensic scientists are often expected to present the likelihood of DNA identifications in US courts based on comparative population data, yet forensic anthropologists tend not quantify strength an osteological identification. Because trained first and foremost as physical anthropologists, they emphasize estimation problems at expense evidentiary problems, but this approach must be reexamined. In paper, statistical bases for presenting dental evidence outlined, using a case motivating...

The question of whether age parameters derived from an American population will reliably estimate age-at-death for East European skeletal populations is important since the ability to accurately individual's hinges on what standard used. A reference sample identified individuals with known ages-at-death regions Former Yugoslavia (n = 861) used determine structure victims and serves as prior in Bayesian analysis. Pubic symphyseal data manners Todd (Am J Phys Anthropol, 3 [1920], 285; Am 4...

Abstract Whether human fetal skeletal remains exhibit sexual dimorphism has been the subject of considerable debate. Most attention in this debate focused on greater sciatic notch ilium, since it is a gross morphological characteristic with known sex differences adult and easily seen remains. Unfortunately, previous traditional morphometric analyses have led to ambiguous results. The purpose study determine whether between sexes can be discerned when modern techniques are applied notch....

Abstract Cranial deformation is known to influence many traditional craniometric variables, but its effects on nonmetric trait variation are not well characterized. In this study, we examine the of three types (annular, lambdoid flattening, and fronto‐occipital) traits, using a large sample protohistoric prehistoric crania. Our results indicate that few traits increased or decreased in relative frequency by particular deformation, these have little impact calculation biological distances...

Abstract This study examines quantification techniques applicable to human skeletal remains, and in particular the Lincoln index (LI), minimum number of individuals (MNI), what we refer as most likely (MLNI), which is a modification LI by Chapman ([1951] Univ. Calif. Publ. Stat. 1 :131–159). As part study, test pair‐matching between commingled homologous elements, e.g., right left femora, was performed based on gross morphology. The results show that can be accurately performed, MLNI useful...

In anthropological studies, visual indicators of sex are traditionally scored on an ordinal categorical scale. Logistic and probit regression models commonly used statistical tools for the analysis data. These provide unbiased estimates posterior probabilities conditional observed indicators, but they do so only under certain conditions. We suggest a more general method sexing using multivariate cumulative model examine both single indicator sample 138 crania from Late Mississippian site in...

Abstract It has previously been suggested that residential practices can be inferred from within‐ or between‐group analysis of male and female skeletal morphology. Arguments have proceeded intuitively derived hypotheses about the genetic consequences drift migration. In this paper, a formal basis is presented for these using modified versions Wright's island model migration matrix method. shown usual measures standardized variance kinship decomposed into male, female, male/female components....

Abstract Most major genes involved in the etiology of complex diseases are likely to have pleiotropic effects on a number intervening quantitative traits. Methods segregation analysis that incorporate additional information from such multiple traits will exhibit greater power for detecting and allow explicit tests locus pleiotropy hypotheses. In this study, we present new method multivariate utilizes generalization Hasstedt's [1982] technique calculating approximate mixed model likelihoods...

The extent of heritability for overall brain size and regional cortical surface features such as sulcus lengths is important demonstrating a genetic component to the observed phenotypic differences among individuals evaluating potential evolutionary change in response selection. Although genetics has been extensively considered, detailed morphology not previously subjected analysis. We estimated using 438 endocranial casts taken from skeletons rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) Cayo Santiago...

Abstract: The present study analyzed apical translucency and periodontal recession on single‐rooted teeth in order to generate age‐at‐death estimations using two inverse calibration methods one Bayesian method. three age estimates were compared highlight inherent problems with the methods. results showed that analysis reduced severity of several associated adult skeletal estimations. produced a lower overall mean error, higher correlation actual age, aging bias, mimicry, ranges most probable...

Abstract: In the forensic context, teeth are often recovered in mass disasters, armed conflicts, and graves associated with human rights violations. Therefore, for victim identification, techniques utilizing dentition to estimate first parameters of identity (e.g., age) can be critical. This analysis was undertaken apply a Bayesian statistical method, transition analysis, based on Gompertz–Makeham (GM) hazard model, individual ages‐at‐death Balkan populations dental wear. Dental wear phases...