"This research presents an innovative and objective method of partially resolving commingled remains through osteometric analysis of the acetabulo-femoral and tibio-femoral joint surface areas. This method is focused on reassociating skeletal elements which can provide accurate information regarding age, sex, stature and biomechanics, thus maximising the potential of commingled remains in archaeological investigations. This study used linear dimensions to create geometric models, corroborated by 3D scanning, to estimate articular surface area. Data was collected from 13 observations from across the acetabulo-femoraland tibio-femoral joints using a reference sample of 301 skeletons from the York Barbican and Black Gate skeletal collections. Linear regression analysis was used to explore therelationship between the acetabulo-femoral and tibio-femoral joints and create regression models. The regression models were then tested on an independent sample of 49 individuals from Coronation Street Cemetery in a series of test applications to evaluate the performance of the method. The regression models have been provided for use in osteometric sorting. The study showed that the tibio-femoral joint was not an acceptable candidate for osteometric sorting through joint articulation, but that the strong correlation between the acetabulum and femur across the acetabulo-femoral joint could be used to aid in partially resolving commingled assemblages" (read more/open access).
(Open access source: MSc in Human Osteology and Funerary Archaeology: Department of Archaeology, University of Sheffield, 2014 via Academia.edu)
