This lab exercise involved examining skeletal and dental specimens to estimate age. For three specimens (A, B, C): Specimen A was estimated to be at least 16 years old based on dental and skeletal analysis. Specimen B was estimated to be at least 18 years old. Specimen C was estimated to be at least 14 years old, making it the youngest. Tooth wear and suture closure patterns on three skulls also supported Specimen A being the oldest and Specimen C the youngest.

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Lab Exercise 7.3
Station 1
1. Use the dental eruption chart (Fig. 7.7) to gauge the age of the two specimens in your lab.
(If no specimens are available, refer to the following figures.) What age range does each
dentition fit into most closely?
Dentition A 12 years Dentition B 10 years
2. What is the dental formula for adult humans?
2123
2123
3. What is the deciduous dental formula for humans?
2102
2102
Station 2
Estimated Age Basedon Epiphyseal Fusion results
Specimen Bone and
Epiphyseal
End
Fused or
Unfused
Ages for
Epiphyseal
Fusion in
Males
Age
Estimate
if Male
Age
estimate if
female
A Pelvis Unfused 12-21
(female)
At least 15
B Ulna Unfused 17-20 (male) At least 16
C Femur Unfused 16-18 (male) At least 16

2. 4. Is it possible for Specimens A and C to be from the same individual? If so, how would
that change your answer?
It’s not possible but if it was possible the pelvis dimensions would change and would
range from 14-23 in order to have the pelvis dimensions of the ilia crest for a male so
that all the parts of different bones dimension wise are seen to come from a male
specimen.
5. Explain why it is so useful to examine bones from various parts of the skeleton of an
immature individual.
The various developmental features can be a useful means to determine age until
physical growth stops, or is interrupted it is therefore important to examine different
features because the developmental sequence is predetermined and known and
different individuals’ also develop at different rate therefore the need to evaluate
different features.
6. The descriptions of Individuals A through C below each represent the stages of
epiphyseal union in various bones of a young person. Using Table 7.3, figure out the
estimated ages first for each bone of each individual, then combine the information from
the two bones listed to narrow the possible age ranges for each individual. An example is
shown for a Sample Individual.
Individual A: If male If
Female
Iliac crest unfused to body of ilium: 14 – 23 12 – 21
Head of humerus fused to diaphysis: 16 – 20 13 – 17
Estimated age of individual A At least 16 At least
13
Individual B
Iliac crest fused to body of ilium: 14 – 23 12-21
Acromion process fused to scapula: 18 – 20 16 – 18

3. Estimated age of Individual B: At least 18 At least
16
Individual C
Distal end of radius fused to diaphysis 16 – 20 14- 17
Distal end of tibia unfused to diaphysis 15 -18 14 -16
Estimated age of Individual C: At least 16 At least
14
Station 3 Age Estimation Later in Life: Degenerative Changes
You will put this technique to use by ordering a few sets of dentition by age according to
the wear on their teeth. Observe the dentitions provided in your lab, or if a variety of
dentitions is lacking in your lab collection refer to Figures A through C on the following
page as an alternative, and answer the following questions for each of the specimens. See
Figure 6.20, page 138, to refresh your memory about tooth anatomy, particularly the
tooth layers (enamel and dentin).
1. Are all teeth fully erupted? (Keep in mind that some may have been lost after
eruption.)
Specimen A _______Yes _______
Specimen B _______No _______
Specimen C ______Yes ________
2. For each specimen, describe whether or not enamel covers the entire occlusal surface
of the teeth. Is the enamel worn through in places, exposing the dentin? If so, which
teeth show more wear and dentin exposure? (The dentin exposure will appear as
darker compared to the white enamel.)
Specimen A: Most of the teeth have their enamel still intact but the second incisor is
worn out exposing the dentin.
Specimen B: The teeth are missing apart from three teeth, which are a canine,
premolar and a molar. The enamel is worn out and exposing the dentin of the teeth.
Specimen C: All the teeth present have the enamel cover and the dentin is not exposed.
3. How do Specimens A, B, and C compare with each other:

4. In degree of tooth wear?
Specimen C has the least amount of degree of tooth wear, while specimen A has
moderate tooth wear and specimen B has the most degree of tooth wear and nearly all
the teeth are missing.
Are the molars further back in the mouth (more distal) less worn that the more mesial
ones?
Yes the molars that are further back have less wear than the ones that more forward.
Explain why this pattern of wear may be observed.
This may be explained by using tooth morphology and dietary functions of the teeth.
The molars further back appear after the other molars therefore they wear out slower
than the teeth that had appeared first and are also used not as frequently as the frontal
molars.
4 Rank the three dentitions from youngest (1) to oldest (3) based on tooth wear.
Specimen A ______2________
Specimen B ______3_______
Specimen C ______1________
Station 4
Compare the sutures on Skulls A through C at this station in your lab. (If there are no
specimens, refer to Figures A through C on page 210.) Look at points 1, 2, and 3 on each.
1 Using the table below, score them from 0 to 3 according to the closure categories below
(from Buikstra and Ubelaker, 1994). Normally, one would use 17 such skull points to
gauge suture closure rather than only three.
Skull Suture Comparisons
Skull Suture Area Skull A Skull B Skull c
1 3 2 1
2 2 2 2
3 2 1 0
Average 2.33 1.67 1.00

5. 2. Rank the three skulls from youngest (1) to oldest (3) based on degree of suture closure.
Specimen A __________Oldest
Specimen B __________Middle aged
Specimen C __________Youngest
Station 5
1. Look at Figure 7.10 and distinguish the characteristics of an older versus a younger
pubic symphyseal face.
The symphyseal “face” of the pubis changes with age, as the distinctive ridges wear
down to less evenly placed bumps with age.
a. How would you describe the surface of a younger pubic symphysis?
The surface of the younger pubic symphysis has more ridges and is more defined.
b. An older one?
The older one is less even, less ridges present and appears smooth.
2. Rank the three pubic symphyses from youngest (1) to oldest (3) based on appearance
of the medial surface. In place of these illustrations, your instructor may have you use
actual specimens in your lab.
Specimen A: Middle aged
Specimen B: Oldest
Specimen C: Youngest