Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 3.1 Schematic representation of accuracy and precision. A. Points that are accurate (approximating the
bullseye) but not precise. B. Points that are precise (close together) but not accurate (far from the bullseye). C. Points
that are both accurate (close to the bullseye) and precise (close together). An age-at-death estimate that is accurate
includes the individual's age in the estimated range (although that range could be very large), while a precise
estimate is close (in absolute units) to the actual age.
anthropologists strive to be accurate, an age range from 15 years to 100 years for most sets of
remains is probably accurate but not very useful. A precise estimate is close to the actual age-
at-death, but runs the risk of excluding the actual age-at-death. A common analogy to explain
the relationship of accuracy to precision is a target with a bullseye. Hits that fall in a wide
pattern all around the bullseye are accurate, but not precise. Hits that fall all in the same small
area but far away from the bullseye are precise but not accurate. Accurate and precise hits
(our goal) fall in a tight pattern near the bullseye. See Figure 3.1 .
ADULT AGE-AT-DEATH ESTIMATION
Indicators of Adult Age-at-Death
The Pubic Symphysis
The pubic symphysis is the part of the skeleton where the two halves of the pelvis meet
anteriorly. During life there is a thick pad of fibrocartilage between the bones and,
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