A test of Suchey–Brooks (pubic symphysis) and Buckberry–Chamberlain (auricular surface) methods on an identified Spanish sample: paleodemographic implications

• Published in: Journal of archaeological science Vol. 40; no. 4; pp. 1743 - 1751
• Main Authors: San Millán, Marta, Rissech, Carme, Turbón, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2013
• Subjects: Age estimation for adults; Antropologia forense; Auricular surface; Evolució humana; Forensic anthropology; Human evolution; Methodology; Metodologia; Paleodemography; Pubic symphysis; Auricular surface; Age estimation for adults; Pubic symphysis; Paleodemography
• ISSN: 0305-4403; 1095-9238
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2012.11.021

Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology studies depend critically on the accuracy and reliability of age-estimation techniques. In this study we have evaluated two age-estimation methods for adults based on the pubic symphysis (Suchey–Brooks) and the auricular surface (Buckberry–Chamberlain) in a current sample of 139 individuals (67 women and 72 men) from Madrid in order to verify the accuracy of both methods applied to a sample of innominate bones from the central Iberian Peninsula. Based on the overall results of this study, the Buckberry–Chamberlain method seems to be the method that provides better estimates in terms of accuracy (percentage of hits) and absolute difference to the chronological age taking into account the total sample. The percentage of hits and mean absolute difference of the Buckberry–Chamberlain and Suchey–Brooks methods are 97.3% and 11.24 years, and 85.7% and 14.38 years, respectively. However, this apparently greater applicability of the Buckberry–Chamberlain method is mainly due to the broad age ranges provided. Results indicated that Suchey–Brooks method is more appropriate for populations with a majority of young individuals, whereas Buckberry–Chamberlain method is recommended for populations with a higher percentage of individuals in the range 60–70 years. These different age estimation methodologies significantly influence the resulting demographic profile, consequently affecting the biological characteristics reconstruction of the samples in which they are applied. ► Two age-estimation methods have been tested in a documented collection from Madrid. ► The two age-methods analysed were based on pubic symphysis and auricular surface. ► Suchey–Brooks is more appropriate for populations with a majority of youth. ► Buckberry–Chamberlain method works better in the 60–70 years age range. ► Both methods provide different mortality profiles and lead to different conclusions.