Methods for finding the age of fossils at death

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the methods used to determine the age of a human fossil at the time of death, rather than the time elapsed since death. Participants explore various techniques and indicators that may provide insights into the age of the individual when they died, including biological and anatomical factors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about specific processes for determining the age of a human at death, questioning whether these methods rely on comparisons with living individuals.
  • Another participant mentions examining bones for growth indicators and assessing teeth for development and wear, noting that these methods are not exact.
  • It is suggested that the condition of teeth, along with the fusion of cranial bones, can provide insights into the age of infants or young children.
  • Participants discuss the dimensions of major bones and pelvic structure as additional factors that may yield rough estimates of age.
  • A link to a paper on paleoneurology is provided for further exploration of related topics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present various methods and indicators for estimating age at death, but there is no consensus on a singular approach or the accuracy of these methods.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the limitations or uncertainties associated with the methods mentioned, such as the potential for variability in individual development or the influence of environmental factors on aging.

Lyuokdea
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I'm curious in the processes used to date the age of a human fossil, not in terms of how many thousands of years ago the human died, but the age of the human when they died. Are there any special processes that are used to determine this, or are humans mearly matched up in terms of degeneration with humans that are alive today?

~Lyuokdea
 
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Some things looked at are the bones to determine if there is still growth or if it has stopped, teeth are examined to see which teeth have come in and the amount of wear. They can tell from the bones if the person has suffered from illnesses usually associated with old age, but it's not exact.
 
Teeth of children are different than teeth of adults, so that is one factor, and as Evo mentioned, the condition of the teeth and some knowledge of diet.

Fusion of the cranial bones also give some idea of the age of an infant or young child.

Beyond that there are the dimensions of the major bones of the extremeties and vertebrae, and pelvic structure that would give rough estimates.
 
Lyuokdea said:
I'm curious in the processes used to date the age of a human fossil, not in terms of how many thousands of years ago the human died, but the age of the human when they died. Are there any special processes that are used to determine this, or are humans mearly matched up in terms of degeneration with humans that are alive today?
~Lyuokdea
See this paper on science of Paleoneurology:
http://www.emilianobruner.it/pdf/Paleoneuro03.pdf
 
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