A Novel Method of Stature Estimation for Fragmentary Femora

Summary

Stature estimation formulae for native populations in North America have historically been problematic, utilizing incorrect reference samples, for example; however recent research has allowed for the creation of more precise formula for evaluation of adult remains. Incomplete bones, however, can hinder stature estimation. There are a number of methods which can provide estimates of the overall length of the bone, or of stature, based on segments of a bone. A method that uses a simple to collect measurement based on easy to identify skeletal markers, designated as Upper Epicondylar Length, was initially tested on skeletal remains in Africa. It was subsequently tested on modern populations in the United States and continues to show moderately high correlations with both femur length and stature. This research, which is an extension of the work completed in the United States on modern individuals, reflects the first stage of a larger project which the authors hope will be a useful tool for skeletal research in archaeology. The results herein will include data collected at the University of Wyoming Human Remains Repository.

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This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)

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