Testing the Effectiveness of Two Cranial Base Foramina for Metric Sex Assessment of Fragmentary Remains

P. James Macaluso Jr. Ph.D.,

P. James Macaluso Jr. Ph.D.

Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University (SUNY), PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000.

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P. James Macaluso Jr. Ph.D.,

P. James Macaluso Jr. Ph.D.

Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University (SUNY), PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000.

Search for more papers by this author

First published: 05 March 2012

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02066.x

Citations: 1

Additional information and reprint requests:
P.J. Macaluso Jr., Ph.D.
Department of Anthropology
Binghamton University (SUNY)
PO Box 6000
Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
E-mail: [email protected]

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Abstract

Abstract: Sex differences in linear and area dimensions of the foramen ovale and external opening of the carotid canal were analyzed in a documented French sample (35 men and 32 women). The results demonstrated that a low level of sexual dimorphism is present in the cranial base foramina of this sample, with only two-thirds of the examined variables exhibiting statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between the sexes. The cross-validated sex classification accuracy rates obtained for univariate and multivariate discriminant functions ranged from only 54.7 to 72.1%. In addition, measurements of the cranial base foramina were found to be difficult to record with precision, with intra-observer error percentages ranging from 2.35 to 4.23%. Error rates of this magnitude may result in the misallocation of specimens. Therefore, osteometric analysis of the foramen ovale and carotid canal external opening cannot be recommended as a useful method for cranial sex assessment in this population group.

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Volume57, Issue4

July 2012

Pages 1017-1021

Testing the Effectiveness of Two Cranial Base Foramina for Metric Sex Assessment of Fragmentary Remains

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Testing the Effectiveness of Two Cranial Base Foramina for Metric Sex Assessment of Fragmentary Remains

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