Stature in archeological samples from central Italy

Methodological issues and diachronic changes

Bibliographic Data

ID8318882
AuthorsMONICA GIANNECCHINI (University of Florence), J Moggi-Cecchi (0000-0001-5055-8369), Jacopo Moggi‐cecchi (University of Florence, corresponding author)
Year2008
Volume135
Issue3
Pages284-292
Publication date2008-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajpa.20742
PMID18000888
OpenAlexW2056983257
LanguageEN
Citations received59
References cited24

Stature reconstructions from skeletal remains are usually obtained through regression equations based on the relationship between height and limb bone length. Different equations have been employed to reconstruct stature in skeletal samples, but this is the first study to provide a systematic analysis of the reliability of the different methods for Italian historical samples. Aims of this article are: 1) to analyze the reliability of different regression methods to estimate stature for populations living in Central Italy from the Iron Age to Medieval times; 2) to search for trends in stature over this time period by applying the most reliable regression method. Long bone measurements were collected from 1,021 individuals (560 males, 461 females), from 66 archeological sites for males and 54 for females. Three time periods were identified: Iron Age, Roman period, and Medieval period. To determine the most appropriate equation to reconstruct stature the Delta parameter of Gini (Memorie di metodologia statistica. Milano: Giuffre A. 1939), in which stature estimates derived from different limb bones are compared, was employed. The equations proposed by Pearson (Philos Trans R Soc London 192 (1899) 169–244) and Trotter and Gleser for Afro‐Americans (Am J Phys Anthropol 10 (1952) 463–514; Am J Phys Anthropol 47 (1977) 355–356) provided the most consistent estimates when applied to our sample. We then used the equation by Pearson for further analyses. Results indicate a reduction in stature in the transition from the Iron Age to the Roman period, and a subsequent increase in the transition from the Roman period to the Medieval period. Changes of limb lengths over time were more pronounced in the distal than in the proximal elements in both limbs. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc

Biology · Bone age · Confidence interval · Geography · Linear regression · Period (music) · Regression · Regression analysis · Sociology · Statistics · Demography · Endocrinology · Forensic and Genetic Research · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Mathematics · Paleopathology and ancient diseases · Philosophy

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