When bones are found within archaeological contexts it is important for site interpretation that ... more When bones are found within archaeological contexts it is important for site interpretation that they are identified by species, or at the very least as human or non-human. However, key landmarks and characteristics typically used for such an assessment are often destroyed when bones are highly fragmented; thus methods including DNA or histology are amongst the few remaining options. Histological analysis of cortical tissue can be performed to discriminate human from non-human origin. A set of 40 bone fragments recovered during excavation of the Camposanto cemetery on the island of Lazzaretto Nuovo (Venice, Italy), used to accommodate mass plague deaths from 1468 ce, were histologically determined to be of non-human origin. Histomorphometric analysis of secondary osteons and Haversian canals, and non-metric assessment of plexiform, osteonal and non-plexiform fibrolamellar tissue, were applied to determine the most probable species origin. Discriminant function analysis established by Martiniaková and co-workers in 2006, was applied, resulting in 36 samples classified as pig and four as cattle. This is consistent with the island’s use as a quarantine station during this period when imported cattle were housed to avoid the spread of disease. These results further enhance the understanding of the Lazzaretto Nuovo site.
Static cortical bone histomorphometry utilised in forensic age-at-death estimation generally exam... more Static cortical bone histomorphometry utilised in forensic age-at-death estimation generally examines only the anterior femoral mid-shaft, as biomechanical strain at the posterior femur is thought to result in increased bone remodelling, osteon density and adversely affect age-at-death estimates. As osteon density increases there is a corresponding decrease in geometric variables, such as osteon area and Haversian canal diameter. The present study tests whether the inverse relationship between osteon density and osteon geometry is reflected in a modern documented Australian sample, and if this relationship differs between the anterior and posterior femoral mid-shaft. The study sample comprises 215 femoral microradiographs (117♂ 98♀) of recorded age (18‒97 years) from the Melbourne Femur Reference Collection (MFRC). The following variables were measured in Image J across six 1 mm2 regions of interest (ROIs) from the anterior and posterior; mean intact and fragmentary secondary osteon count, osteon population density, osteon and Haversian canal area, perimeter, and diameter. Osteon area was positively correlated with Haversian canal size and shape metrics, and negatively correlated with osteon density. Chronological age was significantly correlated with most variables. There were significant between-group effects between the youngest (18‒34 years) and all other age groups (35‒49, 50–74 and 75 + years) for both regions. Our findings support an increased rate of remodelling associated with decreases in osteon geometry in the anterior and posterior femur. Future studies should examine static osteon histomorphometry using anterior and posterior measurements in larger samples of documented age and sex.
Extant histomorphometric aging methods based on the analysis of the femoral cortex generally repo... more Extant histomorphometric aging methods based on the analysis of the femoral cortex generally report small samples ( N<100) and highly variable standard error of the estimate (SEE) values (±1.51‒16.98 years). The present paper reviews the published literature on femoral histomorphometry for age-at-death estimation in order to examine the relationship between sample size and SEE values, and makes recommendations for minimum reporting requirements for age-at-death studies based on statistical data. The SEE from a total of 33 studies are analysed. Sample size and confidence intervals are explored using Hennig and Cooper’s simulation modelling. Analysis of effect size through a fixed-effect model is performed on 5/33 studies to examine the relationship between sample size and effect size. The pooled sex formulae from Nor et al., Martrille et al. and Thompson and the two sex-specific formulae of Pfeiffer are examined, as they report mean and standard deviation values for both chronological and estimated ages. The results of these analyses support sampling theory, specifically wide variation in SEE when N<100, narrowing as the sample size increases, and lower effect sizes in the larger of the five studies examined. The findings provide some support for a minimum threshold of 100‒150 individuals for histomorphometric age-at-death estimation. Analysis of effect size is suggested for future investigation in meta-analyses of forensic anthropological age-estimation studies. To ensure increased precision and meaningful comparison, large samples should be used for histomorphometry, and authors should report SEE and discrete statistics (e.g. n, mean, standard deviation) for both chronological age and estimated age.
Histological analyses of bone can be a useful tool in a forensic assessment, particularly for spe... more Histological analyses of bone can be a useful tool in a forensic assessment, particularly for species determination and age estimation. In order to perform these analyses, however, it is necessary to produce high-quality thin sections for light microscopy. There is a general lack of consensus as to the most appropriate method(s) for the production of cortical bone thin sections, resulting in multiple protocols in the published literature, each associated with varying steps and equipment. We present here a simplified protocol for the histological preparation of cortical bone samples that represents a revision of Garcia-Donas et al. (2017). The protocol was tested on a mixed sample of 17 femora (10 formalin fixed, 5 fresh macerated, and 2 dry archaeological specimens). Good-quality thin-section images at 100× and 200× magnification are produced for each sample type. Using this protocol it is possible to prepare good-quality histological sections of cortical bone for a forensic analysis setting using relatively inexpensive equipment and materials.
Histological methods can be used forensically to estimate age-at-death based on patterns of chang... more Histological methods can be used forensically to estimate age-at-death based on patterns of change in osteon shape, size, and population density, all of which result from the continuous process of bone remodelling. The present study examines the applicability of three existing histological age-at-death estimation methods as applied to an Australian population of known age and sex. Microradiographs from 50 mid-shaft femora thin sections, equally divided by sex, were obtained from the Melbourne Femur Reference Collection (MFRC); stated chronological age-at-death is 18 to 88 years. Osteon shape metrics are measured using ImageJ and the age-at-death prediction formulae of i) Singh and Gunberg, ii) Keough et al., and iii) Goliath et al. are applied. The relationship between estimated and actual age-at-death is then statistically quantified. All three formulae demonstrate pooled and sex-specific SEE values in excess of 20 years: i) pooled ±22.92 (♂±20.91, ♀±25.20); ii) ±20.79 (♂±20.96, ♀±21.05); and iii) ±35.43 (♂±32.68, ♀±38.66). When individuals under 40 years of age were excluded from the analysis, only two of the methods demonstrated increased accuracy: i) pooled ±20.87 (♂ ±17.47, ♀ ±23.70); ii) pooled ±18.21 (♂±16.51, ♀±19.90); and iii) pooled ±41.18 (♂ ±40.12, ♀ 43.05). The present study represents a preliminary investigation of the accuracy of existing histological age-at-death standards applied in an Australian population of known age.
The histological analysis of bone for forensic application requires thin sections to be prepared ... more The histological analysis of bone for forensic application requires thin sections to be prepared from extracted bone of suitable quality for visualization through conventional light microscopy and (if required) the measurement of microstruc-tural features, such as osteons. While a number of protocols for the preparation of thin sections exist, they are often time consuming and complex, or require expensive and non-portable equipment. A revised protocol is presented for obtaining high quality thin sections for light microscopy and histological analyses , tested in fresh, fixed, and dry archaeological cortical bone. It does not require extensive experience, or expensive materials or equipment, and can be further adapted for use with manual tools if necessary.
Limina: A Journal of Historical and Cultural Studies, 2018
The First World War resulted in an unprecedented number of casualties on both sides of the divide... more The First World War resulted in an unprecedented number of casualties on both sides of the divide. Soldiers were buried on the battlefields in their thousands in individual and mass graves, often where they fell. If they were lucky a simple cross or marker with their details may have been erected to mark the location, but not all were so lucky. Due to the nature of trench and siege battle, the remains of many fallen soldiers were lost when trenches or tunnels collapsed, or were rendered unrecognisable from artillery and grenades. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) was initially designed to record, memorialise, and maintain the graves of Commonwealth soldiers who died in World War 1 and 2. This paper discusses the role of the CWGC in the forensic identification and memorialisation of the missing and unknown casualties of WW1.
There has been a growing need to for forensic anthropologists to determine the age of living indi... more There has been a growing need to for forensic anthropologists to determine the age of living individuals in the absence of documentation. Often, it is of vital importance to legal proceedings to determine if an individual meets particular age criteria, particularly the age of 18 years which is the legal age of majority in many countries. The age estimation potential of the dentition and various elements of the post-cranial skeleton, particularly the hand-wrist and clavicle, have been well demonstrated and are widely accepted for forensic use. Less often discussed is the age estimation potential of the knee, which is easy to image and has been validated through a number of studies. This review provides an overview of the current scholarship regarding the age estimation potential of the knee, and outlines possible future directions for further research.
Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, Nov 29, 2018
Age estimation of living individuals is topical, and is particularly
important globally, owing to... more Age estimation of living individuals is topical, and is particularly important globally, owing to increasing migration of undocumented individuals. Radiographic skeletal analysis of hand-wrist skeletal development is often used to infer chronological age based on direct comparison to standards such as the Greulich and Pyle atlas. However, this atlas has been criticised for being applied to foreign populations without due consideration of accuracy. The aims of the current study are to assess the precision and accuracy of the atlas in a contemporary Western Australian population and to develop population specific standards based on the latter system. The study sample comprised 360 individuals (equal sexes) and aged from birth to 25 years; a hold-out group comprising a further 50 individuals was used for model validation. Age estimation was performed through the visual comparison of the study radiographs against the atlas standards; statistical analyses were performed to assess the relationship between estimated skeletal and actual age. Prediction models were formulated; mean SEE values were ±0.005–0.90 (male) and ±0.25–0.421 years (female). Comparisons with prior research demonstrates the importance of contemporary population standards. The models presented here have forensic utility in a Western Australia jurisdiction, albeit the level of accuracy achieved is not suitable for the specific determination of legal majority.
Various age estimation techniques have been utilised in Australia to evaluate the age of individu... more Various age estimation techniques have been utilised in Australia to evaluate the age of individuals who do not have documentation to determine legal majority/culpability. These age estimation techniques rely on the assessment of skeletal development as visualised in radiographs, CT scans, MRI or ultrasound modalities, and subsequent comparison to reference standards. These standards are not always population specific and are thus known to be less accurate when applied outside of the original reference sample, leading to potential ethical implications. Therefore, the present study aims to: (i) explore the variation in developmental trajectories between the established Tanner-Whitehouse (TW) age estimation standards and a Western Australian population; and (ii) develop specific hand-wrist age estimation standards for the latter population. The present study examines digital anterior-posterior hand-wrist radiographs of 360 individuals 0 to 24.9 years of age, equally represented by sex...
There has been a veritable explosion of archaeogenetic studies after the Human Genome was publish... more There has been a veritable explosion of archaeogenetic studies after the Human Genome was published in 2010. Among such studies, the sequencing of the Neanderthal genome provided new insight into human evolution and the past relationships between Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis, even providing evidence for interbreeding. With an average of 2–3 % of genes considered to originate from the Neanderthal line being present in Europeans, and current estimates of up to 20 % Neanderthal contribution to the human genome, there has been a reconsideration of what makes us human. This paper presents a discussion of group and individual constructions of identity in an archaeogenetic world, using selected reactions to Neanderthal Genome Project and the Genographic Project by the general public as case studies.
Histology can be used to determine the human or non-human origin of bone if the examined sample i... more Histology can be used to determine the human or non-human origin of bone if the examined sample is fragmented and/or lacking morphological features for comparison to a reference sample. At the microstructural level, human bone comprises osteonal (or Haversian) systems, whereas non-human animal bone can comprise microstructural systems not evident in the latter (e.g., plexiform bone), facilitating visual differentiation. However, some animals can also have osteonal systems, presenting a potential issue if the region sampled is purely osteonal. Therefore, the aims of the present research are: i) to quantify microstructural differences in human and non-human cortical bone; and ii) to formulate human/non-human histological discrimination standards.
The study sample comprises cortical long bone samples from donated human cadaveric remains (n=33) and five animal species (n=239). The five non-human species are as follows: 1) domestic dog (n=45); 2) Western Grey kangaroo (n=44); emu (n=15); sheep (n=62); and pig (juvenile: n=42, adult: n=31 ). Extracted bone samples are thin sectioned and imaged for histological analysis. ImageJ is used to measure area, diameter, circularity of both osteons and their respective Haversian canals in the photomicrographs. Macroscopic measures of cortical width and diaphyseal diameter are measured in the bone cross section, and the cortical thickness index is calculated. Histomorphological variables (plexiform bone; radial/reticular/longitudinal bone; osteon banding) are scored on a presence/absence basis. Stepwise discriminant function analyses resulted in the formulation of three discriminant function standards utilizing: 1) only histomorphometric variables, 2) histomorphometric and macroscopic measures, and, 3) histomorphometric, macroscopic and histomorphological variables. The derived functions have cross-validated correct classification rates of 96.3%, 97.3% and 99.6% respectively. This research is, to the best of our knowledge, the first to incorporate species unique to the Australian context (kangaroo, emu) to produce accurate histological standards for the discrimination of human and non-human cortical bone.
Histology is an alternative approach for forensic age-at-death assessment, particularly in fragme... more Histology is an alternative approach for forensic age-at-death assessment, particularly in fragmentary remains. Bone remodeling can be assessed based on the premise that the rate of bone turnover increases as an individual ages. Histomorphometric studies use measurements of secondary osteons and their respective features to formulate age-at-death regression models. To further understand potential applications and inherent limitations of histomorphometric approaches in a forensic context, the present study examines existing histomorphometric age-at-death methods as applied to a modern Australian population.
Microradiographs from 215 femoral mid-shaft cross-sections (117♂; 98♀) were obtained from the Melbourne Femur Research Collection (MFRC) at the Melbourne Dental School; recorded chronological age-at-death is 18‒97 years of age (pooled x̄=56.1, SD=22.8; ♂ x̄=56.2, SD=21.8; ♀ x̄= 56.0, SD= 24.0). Twelve variables are measured across six anterior 1mm2 fields of view using ImageJ. Technical Error of Measurement (TEM) and intra-class correlation (ICC) are calculated to test intra-observer repeatability. The age-at-death estimation formulae of i) Singh and Gunberg1, ii) Goliath et al.2, and iii) Keough et al.3 are applied; stepwise linear regression is used to develop population specific formulae. The relationship between estimated and actual age-at-death is statistically quantified using the standard error of the estimate (SEE).
The TEM values were within acceptable limits (rTEM<5%, R>0.8) and ICC values were considered ‘excellent’ (>0.9). Pooled standard error values for the existing methods were all in excess of ±20 years (range: ±22.3‒22.6 years) and generally more accurate for males (SEE ♂±21.6‒24.3 vs. ♀22.6‒25.0 years). Population specific modelling resulted in increased accuracy (pooled: ±19.8‒22.0 years; ♂20.4‒21.4 years; ♀19.4‒23.0 years). When the study sample was split by age group, all methods demonstrated increased accuracy for the 35‒50 years and 51‒74 year age groups, with SEE values of ±10.9‒21.6 and ±8.9‒14.2 years for the existing age estimation methods, and ±11.2‒12.6 and ±10.3‒12.4 years (for the 35‒50 years and 51‒74 year age groups respectively). Further examination is needed to determine the exact cause of the inaccuracies for the two remaining age groups (18‒34 years and 75+ years) and any differences in bone remodeling in younger and older individuals that may be the cause. Our results clearly demonstrate the importance of critical validation of existing formulae. Given the large SEE values from regression based formulae for histomorphometric age-at-death, further validation of existing standards on foreign populations is necessary. Future work will include the production of population specific standards for histomorphometric age-at-death estimation using novel variables or ratios.
Cortical bone histomorphometry utilised in forensic age-at-death estimation generally examines on... more Cortical bone histomorphometry utilised in forensic age-at-death estimation generally examines only the anterior aspect of the femoral mid-shaft, as the posterior aspect contains the linea aspera, the site of an insertion area for adductor muscles. Biomechanical strain at the posterior aspect is thought to result in increased bone remodelling and osteon density, and thus adversely affect age-at-death estimates. As osteons increase in density there is typically a corresponding decrease in geometric variables such as osteon area and Haversian canal diameter. The present study aims to test whether the inverse relationship between osteon density and osteon geometry are reflected in a modern Australian sample of known age and sex, and if this relationship differs between the anterior and posterior aspects of the femoral mid-shaft. The study sample comprises 216 femoral microradiograph cross-sections (117♂, 99♀) of recorded age (18‒97 years) from the Melbourne Femur Reference Collection (MFRC) at the University of Melbourne. Mean intact, fragmentary and total osteon population density, and mean osteon and Haversian canal area, perimeter, diameter, and circularity were measured using ImageJ across six 1mm2 ROIs per aspect. The results of this analysis will be presented and interpreted in relation to recorded chronological age and sex.
The histological analysis of bone for forensic application requires thin sections to be prepared ... more The histological analysis of bone for forensic application requires thin sections to be prepared from extracted bone of suitable quality for visualisation through conventional light microscopy and (if required) the measurement of microstructural features, such as osteons. There are a number of protocols available for the preparation of cortical bone thin sections; however they usually involve multiple complicated steps, in addition to requiring specific (and often expensive) equipment or a dedicated histopathology laboratory. The preparation of a sample for histological analysis may involve any or all of the following steps: fixation; dehydration; impregnation (typically under vacuum); embedding; cutting; grinding/polishing; and mounting for microscopy. As a result histological preparation can be particularly time consuming dependent on the number of steps in the protocol, and the fixation, drying and embedding resin curing time. Expensive and/or non-portable equipment and extensive preparation times make most protocols unsuitable for application in a field laboratory, while the cost of most histopathology equipment such as microtomes and resin impregnation and embedding systems can be prohibitive.
In this presentation we describe a revised protocol for obtaining high quality thin sections for light microscopy and histological analyses in fresh or fixed cortical bone. The method has been simplified and does not require extensive experience, expensive materials or equipment. The proposed protocol was tested first on a sample of fresh kangaroo bone and formalin fixed canine bone, before being applied to formalin fixed human bone and dry archaeological human bone specimens. The described method reduces the number of steps involved in preparation of thin sections from fresh or fixed cortical bone. It can be used for more fragile dry or archaeological material with additional preparation. The method does not require expensive histology equipment or a dedicated histopathology laboratory and can thus be adapted for use in a field laboratory setting.
The Council for British Archaeology state that ‘engaging young people in archaeology is to help t... more The Council for British Archaeology state that ‘engaging young people in archaeology is to help them pursue such an active investigation of their historic environment in all its forms’ (CBA 2014: 3). Our youth are the future caretakers of our cultural heritage, and by educating them early in the importance of cultural heritage and best practice in archaeology, we can better equip them for the future. Educating the youth also has the beneficial by product of raising awareness of archaeology and heritage protection in the community, as they will share their experiences with friends and family, thus continuing the cycle of knowledge (Marquet et al. 2006). The Junior Archaeologist Club (JAC) aims to provide quality academic and practical instruction in archaeological methods and theory to children between the ages of 8-14. The benefits of the program include: increasing community awareness of the importance of cultural heritage; fostering youth engagement in archaeology; encouraging real world skills such as reading maps, teamwork, and critical thinking in children; and providing employment to local archaeologists. Building on the success of the Young Archaeologist’s Club in the UK (YAC 2015), the JAC ran a 9 week pilot program in the Perth South Metro region, between August and September 2015. Despite the small pilot group, the feedback on the program was positive from both the enrolled students and their parents, encouraging the continuation of the program and future branch expansion.
Histology provides an alternative approach in forensic anthropology for skeletal assessment and i... more Histology provides an alternative approach in forensic anthropology for skeletal assessment and identification of small and fragmentary skeletal material. In this thesis the use of histology for the estimation of species and human/non-human origin is assessed based on microstructural differences in bone relative to variance in growth, locomotion, and biomechanical loading. The utility of histology to assess age-at-death in human bone via examination of microstructural elements associated with bone remodelling is also evaluated. The potential utility of histological approaches using cortical bone in forensic science is demonstrated, with specific application to an Australian context through the development of Australian standards.
When bones are found within archaeological contexts it is important for site interpretation that ... more When bones are found within archaeological contexts it is important for site interpretation that they are identified by species, or at the very least as human or non-human. However, key landmarks and characteristics typically used for such an assessment are often destroyed when bones are highly fragmented; thus methods including DNA or histology are amongst the few remaining options. Histological analysis of cortical tissue can be performed to discriminate human from non-human origin. A set of 40 bone fragments recovered during excavation of the Camposanto cemetery on the island of Lazzaretto Nuovo (Venice, Italy), used to accommodate mass plague deaths from 1468 ce, were histologically determined to be of non-human origin. Histomorphometric analysis of secondary osteons and Haversian canals, and non-metric assessment of plexiform, osteonal and non-plexiform fibrolamellar tissue, were applied to determine the most probable species origin. Discriminant function analysis established by Martiniaková and co-workers in 2006, was applied, resulting in 36 samples classified as pig and four as cattle. This is consistent with the island’s use as a quarantine station during this period when imported cattle were housed to avoid the spread of disease. These results further enhance the understanding of the Lazzaretto Nuovo site.
Static cortical bone histomorphometry utilised in forensic age-at-death estimation generally exam... more Static cortical bone histomorphometry utilised in forensic age-at-death estimation generally examines only the anterior femoral mid-shaft, as biomechanical strain at the posterior femur is thought to result in increased bone remodelling, osteon density and adversely affect age-at-death estimates. As osteon density increases there is a corresponding decrease in geometric variables, such as osteon area and Haversian canal diameter. The present study tests whether the inverse relationship between osteon density and osteon geometry is reflected in a modern documented Australian sample, and if this relationship differs between the anterior and posterior femoral mid-shaft. The study sample comprises 215 femoral microradiographs (117♂ 98♀) of recorded age (18‒97 years) from the Melbourne Femur Reference Collection (MFRC). The following variables were measured in Image J across six 1 mm2 regions of interest (ROIs) from the anterior and posterior; mean intact and fragmentary secondary osteon count, osteon population density, osteon and Haversian canal area, perimeter, and diameter. Osteon area was positively correlated with Haversian canal size and shape metrics, and negatively correlated with osteon density. Chronological age was significantly correlated with most variables. There were significant between-group effects between the youngest (18‒34 years) and all other age groups (35‒49, 50–74 and 75 + years) for both regions. Our findings support an increased rate of remodelling associated with decreases in osteon geometry in the anterior and posterior femur. Future studies should examine static osteon histomorphometry using anterior and posterior measurements in larger samples of documented age and sex.
Extant histomorphometric aging methods based on the analysis of the femoral cortex generally repo... more Extant histomorphometric aging methods based on the analysis of the femoral cortex generally report small samples ( N<100) and highly variable standard error of the estimate (SEE) values (±1.51‒16.98 years). The present paper reviews the published literature on femoral histomorphometry for age-at-death estimation in order to examine the relationship between sample size and SEE values, and makes recommendations for minimum reporting requirements for age-at-death studies based on statistical data. The SEE from a total of 33 studies are analysed. Sample size and confidence intervals are explored using Hennig and Cooper’s simulation modelling. Analysis of effect size through a fixed-effect model is performed on 5/33 studies to examine the relationship between sample size and effect size. The pooled sex formulae from Nor et al., Martrille et al. and Thompson and the two sex-specific formulae of Pfeiffer are examined, as they report mean and standard deviation values for both chronological and estimated ages. The results of these analyses support sampling theory, specifically wide variation in SEE when N<100, narrowing as the sample size increases, and lower effect sizes in the larger of the five studies examined. The findings provide some support for a minimum threshold of 100‒150 individuals for histomorphometric age-at-death estimation. Analysis of effect size is suggested for future investigation in meta-analyses of forensic anthropological age-estimation studies. To ensure increased precision and meaningful comparison, large samples should be used for histomorphometry, and authors should report SEE and discrete statistics (e.g. n, mean, standard deviation) for both chronological age and estimated age.
Histological analyses of bone can be a useful tool in a forensic assessment, particularly for spe... more Histological analyses of bone can be a useful tool in a forensic assessment, particularly for species determination and age estimation. In order to perform these analyses, however, it is necessary to produce high-quality thin sections for light microscopy. There is a general lack of consensus as to the most appropriate method(s) for the production of cortical bone thin sections, resulting in multiple protocols in the published literature, each associated with varying steps and equipment. We present here a simplified protocol for the histological preparation of cortical bone samples that represents a revision of Garcia-Donas et al. (2017). The protocol was tested on a mixed sample of 17 femora (10 formalin fixed, 5 fresh macerated, and 2 dry archaeological specimens). Good-quality thin-section images at 100× and 200× magnification are produced for each sample type. Using this protocol it is possible to prepare good-quality histological sections of cortical bone for a forensic analysis setting using relatively inexpensive equipment and materials.
Histological methods can be used forensically to estimate age-at-death based on patterns of chang... more Histological methods can be used forensically to estimate age-at-death based on patterns of change in osteon shape, size, and population density, all of which result from the continuous process of bone remodelling. The present study examines the applicability of three existing histological age-at-death estimation methods as applied to an Australian population of known age and sex. Microradiographs from 50 mid-shaft femora thin sections, equally divided by sex, were obtained from the Melbourne Femur Reference Collection (MFRC); stated chronological age-at-death is 18 to 88 years. Osteon shape metrics are measured using ImageJ and the age-at-death prediction formulae of i) Singh and Gunberg, ii) Keough et al., and iii) Goliath et al. are applied. The relationship between estimated and actual age-at-death is then statistically quantified. All three formulae demonstrate pooled and sex-specific SEE values in excess of 20 years: i) pooled ±22.92 (♂±20.91, ♀±25.20); ii) ±20.79 (♂±20.96, ♀±21.05); and iii) ±35.43 (♂±32.68, ♀±38.66). When individuals under 40 years of age were excluded from the analysis, only two of the methods demonstrated increased accuracy: i) pooled ±20.87 (♂ ±17.47, ♀ ±23.70); ii) pooled ±18.21 (♂±16.51, ♀±19.90); and iii) pooled ±41.18 (♂ ±40.12, ♀ 43.05). The present study represents a preliminary investigation of the accuracy of existing histological age-at-death standards applied in an Australian population of known age.
The histological analysis of bone for forensic application requires thin sections to be prepared ... more The histological analysis of bone for forensic application requires thin sections to be prepared from extracted bone of suitable quality for visualization through conventional light microscopy and (if required) the measurement of microstruc-tural features, such as osteons. While a number of protocols for the preparation of thin sections exist, they are often time consuming and complex, or require expensive and non-portable equipment. A revised protocol is presented for obtaining high quality thin sections for light microscopy and histological analyses , tested in fresh, fixed, and dry archaeological cortical bone. It does not require extensive experience, or expensive materials or equipment, and can be further adapted for use with manual tools if necessary.
Limina: A Journal of Historical and Cultural Studies, 2018
The First World War resulted in an unprecedented number of casualties on both sides of the divide... more The First World War resulted in an unprecedented number of casualties on both sides of the divide. Soldiers were buried on the battlefields in their thousands in individual and mass graves, often where they fell. If they were lucky a simple cross or marker with their details may have been erected to mark the location, but not all were so lucky. Due to the nature of trench and siege battle, the remains of many fallen soldiers were lost when trenches or tunnels collapsed, or were rendered unrecognisable from artillery and grenades. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) was initially designed to record, memorialise, and maintain the graves of Commonwealth soldiers who died in World War 1 and 2. This paper discusses the role of the CWGC in the forensic identification and memorialisation of the missing and unknown casualties of WW1.
There has been a growing need to for forensic anthropologists to determine the age of living indi... more There has been a growing need to for forensic anthropologists to determine the age of living individuals in the absence of documentation. Often, it is of vital importance to legal proceedings to determine if an individual meets particular age criteria, particularly the age of 18 years which is the legal age of majority in many countries. The age estimation potential of the dentition and various elements of the post-cranial skeleton, particularly the hand-wrist and clavicle, have been well demonstrated and are widely accepted for forensic use. Less often discussed is the age estimation potential of the knee, which is easy to image and has been validated through a number of studies. This review provides an overview of the current scholarship regarding the age estimation potential of the knee, and outlines possible future directions for further research.
Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, Nov 29, 2018
Age estimation of living individuals is topical, and is particularly
important globally, owing to... more Age estimation of living individuals is topical, and is particularly important globally, owing to increasing migration of undocumented individuals. Radiographic skeletal analysis of hand-wrist skeletal development is often used to infer chronological age based on direct comparison to standards such as the Greulich and Pyle atlas. However, this atlas has been criticised for being applied to foreign populations without due consideration of accuracy. The aims of the current study are to assess the precision and accuracy of the atlas in a contemporary Western Australian population and to develop population specific standards based on the latter system. The study sample comprised 360 individuals (equal sexes) and aged from birth to 25 years; a hold-out group comprising a further 50 individuals was used for model validation. Age estimation was performed through the visual comparison of the study radiographs against the atlas standards; statistical analyses were performed to assess the relationship between estimated skeletal and actual age. Prediction models were formulated; mean SEE values were ±0.005–0.90 (male) and ±0.25–0.421 years (female). Comparisons with prior research demonstrates the importance of contemporary population standards. The models presented here have forensic utility in a Western Australia jurisdiction, albeit the level of accuracy achieved is not suitable for the specific determination of legal majority.
Various age estimation techniques have been utilised in Australia to evaluate the age of individu... more Various age estimation techniques have been utilised in Australia to evaluate the age of individuals who do not have documentation to determine legal majority/culpability. These age estimation techniques rely on the assessment of skeletal development as visualised in radiographs, CT scans, MRI or ultrasound modalities, and subsequent comparison to reference standards. These standards are not always population specific and are thus known to be less accurate when applied outside of the original reference sample, leading to potential ethical implications. Therefore, the present study aims to: (i) explore the variation in developmental trajectories between the established Tanner-Whitehouse (TW) age estimation standards and a Western Australian population; and (ii) develop specific hand-wrist age estimation standards for the latter population. The present study examines digital anterior-posterior hand-wrist radiographs of 360 individuals 0 to 24.9 years of age, equally represented by sex...
There has been a veritable explosion of archaeogenetic studies after the Human Genome was publish... more There has been a veritable explosion of archaeogenetic studies after the Human Genome was published in 2010. Among such studies, the sequencing of the Neanderthal genome provided new insight into human evolution and the past relationships between Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis, even providing evidence for interbreeding. With an average of 2–3 % of genes considered to originate from the Neanderthal line being present in Europeans, and current estimates of up to 20 % Neanderthal contribution to the human genome, there has been a reconsideration of what makes us human. This paper presents a discussion of group and individual constructions of identity in an archaeogenetic world, using selected reactions to Neanderthal Genome Project and the Genographic Project by the general public as case studies.
Histology can be used to determine the human or non-human origin of bone if the examined sample i... more Histology can be used to determine the human or non-human origin of bone if the examined sample is fragmented and/or lacking morphological features for comparison to a reference sample. At the microstructural level, human bone comprises osteonal (or Haversian) systems, whereas non-human animal bone can comprise microstructural systems not evident in the latter (e.g., plexiform bone), facilitating visual differentiation. However, some animals can also have osteonal systems, presenting a potential issue if the region sampled is purely osteonal. Therefore, the aims of the present research are: i) to quantify microstructural differences in human and non-human cortical bone; and ii) to formulate human/non-human histological discrimination standards.
The study sample comprises cortical long bone samples from donated human cadaveric remains (n=33) and five animal species (n=239). The five non-human species are as follows: 1) domestic dog (n=45); 2) Western Grey kangaroo (n=44); emu (n=15); sheep (n=62); and pig (juvenile: n=42, adult: n=31 ). Extracted bone samples are thin sectioned and imaged for histological analysis. ImageJ is used to measure area, diameter, circularity of both osteons and their respective Haversian canals in the photomicrographs. Macroscopic measures of cortical width and diaphyseal diameter are measured in the bone cross section, and the cortical thickness index is calculated. Histomorphological variables (plexiform bone; radial/reticular/longitudinal bone; osteon banding) are scored on a presence/absence basis. Stepwise discriminant function analyses resulted in the formulation of three discriminant function standards utilizing: 1) only histomorphometric variables, 2) histomorphometric and macroscopic measures, and, 3) histomorphometric, macroscopic and histomorphological variables. The derived functions have cross-validated correct classification rates of 96.3%, 97.3% and 99.6% respectively. This research is, to the best of our knowledge, the first to incorporate species unique to the Australian context (kangaroo, emu) to produce accurate histological standards for the discrimination of human and non-human cortical bone.
Histology is an alternative approach for forensic age-at-death assessment, particularly in fragme... more Histology is an alternative approach for forensic age-at-death assessment, particularly in fragmentary remains. Bone remodeling can be assessed based on the premise that the rate of bone turnover increases as an individual ages. Histomorphometric studies use measurements of secondary osteons and their respective features to formulate age-at-death regression models. To further understand potential applications and inherent limitations of histomorphometric approaches in a forensic context, the present study examines existing histomorphometric age-at-death methods as applied to a modern Australian population.
Microradiographs from 215 femoral mid-shaft cross-sections (117♂; 98♀) were obtained from the Melbourne Femur Research Collection (MFRC) at the Melbourne Dental School; recorded chronological age-at-death is 18‒97 years of age (pooled x̄=56.1, SD=22.8; ♂ x̄=56.2, SD=21.8; ♀ x̄= 56.0, SD= 24.0). Twelve variables are measured across six anterior 1mm2 fields of view using ImageJ. Technical Error of Measurement (TEM) and intra-class correlation (ICC) are calculated to test intra-observer repeatability. The age-at-death estimation formulae of i) Singh and Gunberg1, ii) Goliath et al.2, and iii) Keough et al.3 are applied; stepwise linear regression is used to develop population specific formulae. The relationship between estimated and actual age-at-death is statistically quantified using the standard error of the estimate (SEE).
The TEM values were within acceptable limits (rTEM<5%, R>0.8) and ICC values were considered ‘excellent’ (>0.9). Pooled standard error values for the existing methods were all in excess of ±20 years (range: ±22.3‒22.6 years) and generally more accurate for males (SEE ♂±21.6‒24.3 vs. ♀22.6‒25.0 years). Population specific modelling resulted in increased accuracy (pooled: ±19.8‒22.0 years; ♂20.4‒21.4 years; ♀19.4‒23.0 years). When the study sample was split by age group, all methods demonstrated increased accuracy for the 35‒50 years and 51‒74 year age groups, with SEE values of ±10.9‒21.6 and ±8.9‒14.2 years for the existing age estimation methods, and ±11.2‒12.6 and ±10.3‒12.4 years (for the 35‒50 years and 51‒74 year age groups respectively). Further examination is needed to determine the exact cause of the inaccuracies for the two remaining age groups (18‒34 years and 75+ years) and any differences in bone remodeling in younger and older individuals that may be the cause. Our results clearly demonstrate the importance of critical validation of existing formulae. Given the large SEE values from regression based formulae for histomorphometric age-at-death, further validation of existing standards on foreign populations is necessary. Future work will include the production of population specific standards for histomorphometric age-at-death estimation using novel variables or ratios.
Cortical bone histomorphometry utilised in forensic age-at-death estimation generally examines on... more Cortical bone histomorphometry utilised in forensic age-at-death estimation generally examines only the anterior aspect of the femoral mid-shaft, as the posterior aspect contains the linea aspera, the site of an insertion area for adductor muscles. Biomechanical strain at the posterior aspect is thought to result in increased bone remodelling and osteon density, and thus adversely affect age-at-death estimates. As osteons increase in density there is typically a corresponding decrease in geometric variables such as osteon area and Haversian canal diameter. The present study aims to test whether the inverse relationship between osteon density and osteon geometry are reflected in a modern Australian sample of known age and sex, and if this relationship differs between the anterior and posterior aspects of the femoral mid-shaft. The study sample comprises 216 femoral microradiograph cross-sections (117♂, 99♀) of recorded age (18‒97 years) from the Melbourne Femur Reference Collection (MFRC) at the University of Melbourne. Mean intact, fragmentary and total osteon population density, and mean osteon and Haversian canal area, perimeter, diameter, and circularity were measured using ImageJ across six 1mm2 ROIs per aspect. The results of this analysis will be presented and interpreted in relation to recorded chronological age and sex.
The histological analysis of bone for forensic application requires thin sections to be prepared ... more The histological analysis of bone for forensic application requires thin sections to be prepared from extracted bone of suitable quality for visualisation through conventional light microscopy and (if required) the measurement of microstructural features, such as osteons. There are a number of protocols available for the preparation of cortical bone thin sections; however they usually involve multiple complicated steps, in addition to requiring specific (and often expensive) equipment or a dedicated histopathology laboratory. The preparation of a sample for histological analysis may involve any or all of the following steps: fixation; dehydration; impregnation (typically under vacuum); embedding; cutting; grinding/polishing; and mounting for microscopy. As a result histological preparation can be particularly time consuming dependent on the number of steps in the protocol, and the fixation, drying and embedding resin curing time. Expensive and/or non-portable equipment and extensive preparation times make most protocols unsuitable for application in a field laboratory, while the cost of most histopathology equipment such as microtomes and resin impregnation and embedding systems can be prohibitive.
In this presentation we describe a revised protocol for obtaining high quality thin sections for light microscopy and histological analyses in fresh or fixed cortical bone. The method has been simplified and does not require extensive experience, expensive materials or equipment. The proposed protocol was tested first on a sample of fresh kangaroo bone and formalin fixed canine bone, before being applied to formalin fixed human bone and dry archaeological human bone specimens. The described method reduces the number of steps involved in preparation of thin sections from fresh or fixed cortical bone. It can be used for more fragile dry or archaeological material with additional preparation. The method does not require expensive histology equipment or a dedicated histopathology laboratory and can thus be adapted for use in a field laboratory setting.
The Council for British Archaeology state that ‘engaging young people in archaeology is to help t... more The Council for British Archaeology state that ‘engaging young people in archaeology is to help them pursue such an active investigation of their historic environment in all its forms’ (CBA 2014: 3). Our youth are the future caretakers of our cultural heritage, and by educating them early in the importance of cultural heritage and best practice in archaeology, we can better equip them for the future. Educating the youth also has the beneficial by product of raising awareness of archaeology and heritage protection in the community, as they will share their experiences with friends and family, thus continuing the cycle of knowledge (Marquet et al. 2006). The Junior Archaeologist Club (JAC) aims to provide quality academic and practical instruction in archaeological methods and theory to children between the ages of 8-14. The benefits of the program include: increasing community awareness of the importance of cultural heritage; fostering youth engagement in archaeology; encouraging real world skills such as reading maps, teamwork, and critical thinking in children; and providing employment to local archaeologists. Building on the success of the Young Archaeologist’s Club in the UK (YAC 2015), the JAC ran a 9 week pilot program in the Perth South Metro region, between August and September 2015. Despite the small pilot group, the feedback on the program was positive from both the enrolled students and their parents, encouraging the continuation of the program and future branch expansion.
Histology provides an alternative approach in forensic anthropology for skeletal assessment and i... more Histology provides an alternative approach in forensic anthropology for skeletal assessment and identification of small and fragmentary skeletal material. In this thesis the use of histology for the estimation of species and human/non-human origin is assessed based on microstructural differences in bone relative to variance in growth, locomotion, and biomechanical loading. The utility of histology to assess age-at-death in human bone via examination of microstructural elements associated with bone remodelling is also evaluated. The potential utility of histological approaches using cortical bone in forensic science is demonstrated, with specific application to an Australian context through the development of Australian standards.
Since the 1980s DNA studies and genetic technology have been increasingly used in archaeology, es... more Since the 1980s DNA studies and genetic technology have been increasingly used in archaeology, especially in the search for human origins, leading to the fields of archaeogenetics and paleogenetics (Matisoo-Smith and Horsburgh 2012:12). However, over the same span of time the concept of the gene has been in a constant state of flux, with the accepted definition changing from a ‘unit of inheritance’ (Shukla 2009:1) to ‘a union of genomic sequences encoding a coherent set of potentially overlapping functional products’ (Gerstein et al. 2007:677). This study aimed to critically assess the concept of the gene in archaeology, by identifying overarching theoretical themes in one of the first mitochondrial DNA genome studies by Cann et al. (1987), and follow this concept through a selection of core genetic and archaeological literature. This project has demonstrated it is possible to critically analyse the gene concept in mtDNA human origins studies, using universal themes common in archaeological theory, such as function, transmission, origins, and identity, as a basis for extracting a gene concept. It has highlighted the importance of understanding the wider cultural context of modern human origins studies and how this context can influence the interpretation of what we view as genetic facts. Furthermore this project has demonstrated that despite having similar understandings of the capacity and use of genetic knowledge, our own research culture can lead to inherent biases in interpretation by inadvertently simplifying operational concepts to be too generalised for practical application. Archaeological studies utilizing genetic research and genetic studies of the past could benefit from identifying, analysing, and comparing their own underlying and operational gene concepts. By comparing the gene concept identifiable in their work to their personal understanding of the gene, using the method proposed in this project, researchers can be more reflexive and possibly better identify influencing factors and potential bias. Thinking about concepts is of great importance as it helps us identify flaws and potential biases in our research, and thus this project has contributed to the archaeological understanding of how we think about interdisciplinary concepts, and in particular modern human origins.
Age estimates for living sub-adult individuals rely on radiographic and CT analyses of skeletal m... more Age estimates for living sub-adult individuals rely on radiographic and CT analyses of skeletal morphology to evaluate development using morphoscopic or morphometric analyses. This research thesis aimed to produce sex-specific age estimation standards for a contemporary Western Australian population by evaluating the skeletal development of the hand-wrist using the established Greulich & Pyle and Tanner-Whitehouse methods. This study provides viable alternatives for estimating age in a sub-adult Western Australian population that are equivalent to established hand-wrist standards. The study also showed that the established hand-wrist methods are unreliable for the determination of legal minority and/or culpability in Western Australia.
A recent reassessment of the skeletal evidence from King William Island supports the 19th century... more A recent reassessment of the skeletal evidence from King William Island supports the 19th century reports of the local Inuit people; that members of Sir John Franklin’s failed expedition resorted to cannibalism in order to survive.
Contents
Gonzalo Linares Matás - Presentation of the third issue of IJSRA
Interview
Cherene de B... more Contents Gonzalo Linares Matás - Presentation of the third issue of IJSRA
Interview Cherene de Bruyn, Jacqueline Jordaan - Regional feature: Perspectives from southern African archaeology professionals
II Articles Valletta Verezen - The Crumbling Wonder: A damage- and risk-assessment of sandstone monuments and natural features in the Petra Archaeological Park (Jordan) Frances Koziar, Camilo Gomez - From Colonialism to Nationalism, the Indian to Indigenismo: A History of Central Mexican Archaeology Dannielle Croucher - Quantification of Interpersonal Violence in Skeletal Remains from Medieval and Post-Medieval London Amanda Padoan - Gendering the Traces
III Conference Reviews Rebekah Hawkins, Jacqueline Matthews, Francesca McMaster - Australian Archaeological Association 2016 Conference Review Barney Harris, Dannielle Croucher, Hayden McKee - The 3rd Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Research Student Symposium, UCL
IV Book Review - Ariane Maggio Review of Crowder, C. & Stout, S. D. (eds.) 2012. Bone Histology: An Anthropological Perspective
Uploads
Papers
important globally, owing to increasing migration of undocumented
individuals. Radiographic skeletal analysis of hand-wrist skeletal
development is often used to infer chronological age based on
direct comparison to standards such as the Greulich and Pyle atlas.
However, this atlas has been criticised for being applied to foreign
populations without due consideration of accuracy. The aims of the
current study are to assess the precision and accuracy of the atlas
in a contemporary Western Australian population and to develop
population specific standards based on the latter system. The study
sample comprised 360 individuals (equal sexes) and aged from birth
to 25 years; a hold-out group comprising a further 50 individuals
was used for model validation. Age estimation was performed
through the visual comparison of the study radiographs against the
atlas standards; statistical analyses were performed to assess the
relationship between estimated skeletal and actual age. Prediction
models were formulated; mean SEE values were ±0.005–0.90 (male)
and ±0.25–0.421 years (female). Comparisons with prior research
demonstrates the importance of contemporary population standards.
The models presented here have forensic utility in a Western Australia
jurisdiction, albeit the level of accuracy achieved is not suitable for
the specific determination of legal majority.
Conference Presentations
The study sample comprises cortical long bone samples from donated human cadaveric remains (n=33) and five animal species (n=239). The five non-human species are as follows: 1) domestic dog (n=45); 2) Western Grey kangaroo (n=44); emu (n=15); sheep (n=62); and pig (juvenile: n=42, adult: n=31 ). Extracted bone samples are thin sectioned and imaged for histological analysis. ImageJ is used to measure area, diameter, circularity of both osteons and their respective Haversian canals in the photomicrographs. Macroscopic measures of cortical width and diaphyseal diameter are measured in the bone cross section, and the cortical thickness index is calculated. Histomorphological variables (plexiform bone; radial/reticular/longitudinal bone; osteon banding) are scored on a presence/absence basis. Stepwise discriminant function analyses resulted in the formulation of three discriminant function standards utilizing: 1) only histomorphometric variables, 2) histomorphometric and macroscopic measures, and, 3) histomorphometric, macroscopic and histomorphological variables. The derived functions have cross-validated correct classification rates of 96.3%, 97.3% and 99.6% respectively. This research is, to the best of our knowledge, the first to incorporate species unique to the Australian context (kangaroo, emu) to produce accurate histological standards for the discrimination of human and non-human cortical bone.
Microradiographs from 215 femoral mid-shaft cross-sections (117♂; 98♀) were obtained from the Melbourne Femur Research Collection (MFRC) at the Melbourne Dental School; recorded chronological age-at-death is 18‒97 years of age (pooled x̄=56.1, SD=22.8; ♂ x̄=56.2, SD=21.8; ♀ x̄= 56.0, SD= 24.0). Twelve variables are measured across six anterior 1mm2 fields of view using ImageJ. Technical Error of Measurement (TEM) and intra-class correlation (ICC) are calculated to test intra-observer repeatability. The age-at-death estimation formulae of i) Singh and Gunberg1, ii) Goliath et al.2, and iii) Keough et al.3 are applied; stepwise linear regression is used to develop population specific formulae. The relationship between estimated and actual age-at-death is statistically quantified using the standard error of the estimate (SEE).
The TEM values were within acceptable limits (rTEM<5%, R>0.8) and ICC values were considered ‘excellent’ (>0.9). Pooled standard error values for the existing methods were all in excess of ±20 years (range: ±22.3‒22.6 years) and generally more accurate for males (SEE ♂±21.6‒24.3 vs. ♀22.6‒25.0 years). Population specific modelling resulted in increased accuracy (pooled: ±19.8‒22.0 years; ♂20.4‒21.4 years; ♀19.4‒23.0 years). When the study sample was split by age group, all methods demonstrated increased accuracy for the 35‒50 years and 51‒74 year age groups, with SEE values of ±10.9‒21.6 and ±8.9‒14.2 years for the existing age estimation methods, and ±11.2‒12.6 and ±10.3‒12.4 years (for the 35‒50 years and 51‒74 year age groups respectively). Further examination is needed to determine the exact cause of the inaccuracies for the two remaining age groups (18‒34 years and 75+ years) and any differences in bone remodeling in younger and older individuals that may be the cause. Our results clearly demonstrate the importance of critical validation of existing formulae. Given the large SEE values from regression based formulae for histomorphometric age-at-death, further validation of existing standards on foreign populations is necessary. Future work will include the production of population specific standards for histomorphometric age-at-death estimation using novel variables or ratios.
In this presentation we describe a revised protocol for obtaining high quality thin sections for light microscopy and histological analyses in fresh or fixed cortical bone. The method has been simplified and does not require extensive experience, expensive materials or equipment. The proposed protocol was tested first on a sample of fresh kangaroo bone and formalin fixed canine bone, before being applied to formalin fixed human bone and dry archaeological human bone specimens. The described method reduces the number of steps involved in preparation of thin sections from fresh or fixed cortical bone. It can be used for more fragile dry or archaeological material with additional preparation. The method does not require expensive histology equipment or a dedicated histopathology laboratory and can thus be adapted for use in a field laboratory setting.
Theses
important globally, owing to increasing migration of undocumented
individuals. Radiographic skeletal analysis of hand-wrist skeletal
development is often used to infer chronological age based on
direct comparison to standards such as the Greulich and Pyle atlas.
However, this atlas has been criticised for being applied to foreign
populations without due consideration of accuracy. The aims of the
current study are to assess the precision and accuracy of the atlas
in a contemporary Western Australian population and to develop
population specific standards based on the latter system. The study
sample comprised 360 individuals (equal sexes) and aged from birth
to 25 years; a hold-out group comprising a further 50 individuals
was used for model validation. Age estimation was performed
through the visual comparison of the study radiographs against the
atlas standards; statistical analyses were performed to assess the
relationship between estimated skeletal and actual age. Prediction
models were formulated; mean SEE values were ±0.005–0.90 (male)
and ±0.25–0.421 years (female). Comparisons with prior research
demonstrates the importance of contemporary population standards.
The models presented here have forensic utility in a Western Australia
jurisdiction, albeit the level of accuracy achieved is not suitable for
the specific determination of legal majority.
The study sample comprises cortical long bone samples from donated human cadaveric remains (n=33) and five animal species (n=239). The five non-human species are as follows: 1) domestic dog (n=45); 2) Western Grey kangaroo (n=44); emu (n=15); sheep (n=62); and pig (juvenile: n=42, adult: n=31 ). Extracted bone samples are thin sectioned and imaged for histological analysis. ImageJ is used to measure area, diameter, circularity of both osteons and their respective Haversian canals in the photomicrographs. Macroscopic measures of cortical width and diaphyseal diameter are measured in the bone cross section, and the cortical thickness index is calculated. Histomorphological variables (plexiform bone; radial/reticular/longitudinal bone; osteon banding) are scored on a presence/absence basis. Stepwise discriminant function analyses resulted in the formulation of three discriminant function standards utilizing: 1) only histomorphometric variables, 2) histomorphometric and macroscopic measures, and, 3) histomorphometric, macroscopic and histomorphological variables. The derived functions have cross-validated correct classification rates of 96.3%, 97.3% and 99.6% respectively. This research is, to the best of our knowledge, the first to incorporate species unique to the Australian context (kangaroo, emu) to produce accurate histological standards for the discrimination of human and non-human cortical bone.
Microradiographs from 215 femoral mid-shaft cross-sections (117♂; 98♀) were obtained from the Melbourne Femur Research Collection (MFRC) at the Melbourne Dental School; recorded chronological age-at-death is 18‒97 years of age (pooled x̄=56.1, SD=22.8; ♂ x̄=56.2, SD=21.8; ♀ x̄= 56.0, SD= 24.0). Twelve variables are measured across six anterior 1mm2 fields of view using ImageJ. Technical Error of Measurement (TEM) and intra-class correlation (ICC) are calculated to test intra-observer repeatability. The age-at-death estimation formulae of i) Singh and Gunberg1, ii) Goliath et al.2, and iii) Keough et al.3 are applied; stepwise linear regression is used to develop population specific formulae. The relationship between estimated and actual age-at-death is statistically quantified using the standard error of the estimate (SEE).
The TEM values were within acceptable limits (rTEM<5%, R>0.8) and ICC values were considered ‘excellent’ (>0.9). Pooled standard error values for the existing methods were all in excess of ±20 years (range: ±22.3‒22.6 years) and generally more accurate for males (SEE ♂±21.6‒24.3 vs. ♀22.6‒25.0 years). Population specific modelling resulted in increased accuracy (pooled: ±19.8‒22.0 years; ♂20.4‒21.4 years; ♀19.4‒23.0 years). When the study sample was split by age group, all methods demonstrated increased accuracy for the 35‒50 years and 51‒74 year age groups, with SEE values of ±10.9‒21.6 and ±8.9‒14.2 years for the existing age estimation methods, and ±11.2‒12.6 and ±10.3‒12.4 years (for the 35‒50 years and 51‒74 year age groups respectively). Further examination is needed to determine the exact cause of the inaccuracies for the two remaining age groups (18‒34 years and 75+ years) and any differences in bone remodeling in younger and older individuals that may be the cause. Our results clearly demonstrate the importance of critical validation of existing formulae. Given the large SEE values from regression based formulae for histomorphometric age-at-death, further validation of existing standards on foreign populations is necessary. Future work will include the production of population specific standards for histomorphometric age-at-death estimation using novel variables or ratios.
In this presentation we describe a revised protocol for obtaining high quality thin sections for light microscopy and histological analyses in fresh or fixed cortical bone. The method has been simplified and does not require extensive experience, expensive materials or equipment. The proposed protocol was tested first on a sample of fresh kangaroo bone and formalin fixed canine bone, before being applied to formalin fixed human bone and dry archaeological human bone specimens. The described method reduces the number of steps involved in preparation of thin sections from fresh or fixed cortical bone. It can be used for more fragile dry or archaeological material with additional preparation. The method does not require expensive histology equipment or a dedicated histopathology laboratory and can thus be adapted for use in a field laboratory setting.
Gonzalo Linares Matás - Presentation of the third issue of IJSRA
Interview
Cherene de Bruyn, Jacqueline Jordaan - Regional feature: Perspectives from southern African archaeology professionals
II Articles
Valletta Verezen - The Crumbling Wonder: A damage- and risk-assessment of sandstone monuments and natural features in the Petra Archaeological Park (Jordan)
Frances Koziar, Camilo Gomez - From Colonialism to Nationalism, the Indian to Indigenismo: A History of Central Mexican Archaeology
Dannielle Croucher - Quantification of Interpersonal Violence in Skeletal Remains from Medieval and Post-Medieval London
Amanda Padoan - Gendering the Traces
III Conference Reviews
Rebekah Hawkins, Jacqueline Matthews, Francesca McMaster - Australian Archaeological Association 2016 Conference Review
Barney Harris, Dannielle Croucher, Hayden McKee - The 3rd Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Research Student Symposium, UCL
IV Book Review - Ariane Maggio
Review of Crowder, C. & Stout, S. D. (eds.) 2012. Bone Histology: An Anthropological Perspective