6 research outputs found
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Exploring age-related variations during calcaneal growth
Methods for age estimation in juvenile osteological samples are highly accurate compared to those of adults, but little is known about the variation of the foot bones during growth. This study explores the age-related morphological changes
of the calcaneus, which is often well preserved even in the case of multiple or damaged burials, using Geometric Morphometric Methods. A sample of 33 modern human juvenile calcanei (known age/sex= 22; unknown sex/age= 11) was 3D scanned using an Artec3D Space Scanner. 5 age categories (0-15 years) were defined; unknown sex/age specimens were classified as ND. A template of 15 landmarks and 209 semi-landmarks was applied to the digital models. The (semi)landmark configurations were superimposed by Generalized Procrustes Analysis. A form space Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was computed using the known sample to explore variation during growth, while ND specimens were projected within it. The analysis shows that PC1 (ca. 93%) is highly correlated with size and accounts for ontogenetic allometry. Negative scores (youngest individuals) are characterized by a compact morphology
while positive scores (oldest individuals) show both a greater definition of the sustentaculum talii and sinus tarsii and more pronounced edges for the talar and cuboid articular facets. The projected sample follows the trajectory of the
known sample, which means that our ND specimens can be aged in the 5 categories after being projected. Our results suggest that age-related morphological changes of the calcaneus during growth may be used to estimate the general age of juvenile skeletal remains
Enamel peptides reveal the sex of the Late Antique \u2018Lovers of Modena\u2019
Recent work has disclosed the critical role played by enamel peptides in sex classification of old skeletal remains. In particular, protein AMELY (amelogenin isoform Y) is present in the enamel dental tissue of male individuals only, while AMELX (isoform X) can be found in both sexes. AMELY can be easily detected by LC-MS/MS in the ion extracted chromatograms of the SM(ox)IRPPY peptide (monoisotopic [M + 2 H]+2 mass = 440.2233 m/z). In this paper, we exploited the dimorphic features of the amelogenin protein to determine the sex of the so-called \u2018Lovers of Modena\u2019, two Late Antique individuals whose skeletons were intentionally buried hand-in-hand. Upon discovery, mass media had immediately assumed they were a male-female couple, even if bad preservation of the bones did not allow an effective sex classification. We were able to extract proteins from the dental enamel of both individuals (~1600 years old) and to confidently classify them as males. Results were compared to 14 modern and archaeological control samples, confirming the reliability of the ion chromatogram method for sex determination. Although we currently have no information on the actual relationship between the \u2018Lovers of Modena\u2019 (affective? Kin-based?), the discovery of two adult males intentionally buried hand-in-hand may have profound implications for our understanding of funerary practices in Late Antique Italy