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6 - Linear growth variation in the archaeological record

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 August 2009

By
L. T. Humphrey
Edited by
J. L. Thompson ,
G. E. Krovitz  and
A. J. Nelson
L. T. Humphrey
Affiliation:
Natural History Museum, London
J. L. Thompson
Affiliation:
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
G. E. Krovitz
Affiliation:
Pennsylvania State University
A. J. Nelson
Affiliation:
University of Western Ontario
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Summary

Introduction

The evaluation of physical development in terms of percentage of mature state attained at a given age measures the tempo of development (Eveleth & Tanner, 1990). For some parameters such as tooth crown and root formation, or fusion of the diaphysis and epiphyses of a long bone, the final adult state is comparable for all individuals and the main difficulty is to define consistent intermediate states of maturation in terms of percentage of final adult state. For measures of skeletal growth the problem lies with the fact that the endpoint, or final adult size, is not always known. In cross-sectional studies, such as those that are conducted on any past population, whether fossil or more recent, the final growth attainment of any immature individual in the sample is both hypothetical and unknown. The mean value for mature individuals in the population under study can be used as an estimate of final growth attainment if this information is available. If other statistical parameters are known for the distribution of size in the adult population concerned, an estimate of error can also be made.

The evaluation of growth in terms of percentage of adult size has several advantages over straightforward measurement of absolute size attainment, particularly in a comparative context. The method adjusts for differences in adult size, and places the emphasis on the rate of progress towards adult size rather than actual size attained at any given age.

Type
Chapter
Information
Patterns of Growth and Development in the Genus Homo , pp. 144 - 169
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2003

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