engleski

Age calculation methods used in the investigation of the archaeological sample from Croatia (18th – 19th century)

Estimation of age at death is an essential part of reconstructing information from skeletal material. Given that skeletal remains coming from archaeological series are very often poorly preserved, fragmentary, and demand careful handling to prevent further damage, age determination can be particularly complex. The research was carried out on 192 skulls from excavations from the crypt at St. Theresa's Cathedral, Požega, Croatia. The exhumation of the burials was done in 2004. The skeletal remains were dated from the 18th and 19th century. The aim of the investigation was to reconstruct the chronological age of the archaeological samples from Croatia using cranial skeletal remains and subsequently to make an evaluation of the methods used for age estimation. For this purpose, four age calculation methods were used: palatal suture closure, occlusal tooth wear, tooth root translucency and pulp/tooth area ratio. Cramer's V test was used to test the association between the age calculation methods. According to the time of palatal suture obliteration, 51.4% of the population was younger than 35 years at time of death. Results of the analysis of occlusal tooth wear showed an average age at death of 31.4 years. Age estimation using root dentine translucency was performed on 77 intact upper permanent canines and showed an average age at death of 51.0 years. Age estimation using pulp/tooth area ratio was performed on radiographs of 88 intact upper permanent canines and showed an average age at death of 48.2 years. Cramer's V test showed high association (0.677) between age determination results using palatal suture closure and occlusal tooth wear, and low association (0.177) between age determination results using palatal suture closure and pulp/tooth area ratio. Simple methods like palatal suture closure can provide data about age at death for large number of individuals, but with less accuracy. More complex methods which require qualified and educated personnel can provide data about age for a smaller number of individuals, but with more accuracy. Using different, both simple and complex, age calculation methods in archaeological samples can raise the level of confidence and percentage of success in determining age.

age estimation; teeth; archaeology; Croatia

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