HUMAN OSTEOLOGY
ANTH 2301
Physical Anthropology
Dr. Driver
Handout 2
Analysis
Houston Community College- Southeast
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Estimating Sex from Human Skeletal Remains
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Pelvic Markers
From Bass 1987
The best area to determine the sex of a skeleton is the pelvis. The highest accuracy has been
achieved using this bone (see Genoves 1959; Krogman 1962; Phenice 1969; Washburn 1948). In
general, the female has a broader pelvis (hips) than a male. The greater width is due to differences
throughout the pelvis as summarized below.
Pubic Bone
-Females have a longer pubic portion of the hip bone. Therefore, the subpubic angle is greater in
females. As a “rule of thumb,” when the index finger is held perpendicular to the pubic
symphysis the thumb can be moved only slightly, if at all, on the male innominate, but has ample
room for movement on a female innominate.
-The ventral arc is a slightly elevated ridge of bone that takes a course across the ventral surface
of the female pubis, but does not usually appear on the male.
-In the female, the medial aspect of the ischiopubic ramus presents a ridge or narrow surface
immediately below the symphyseal surface.
Sciatic Notch
-The sciatic notch is wide in females and narrow in males. Another “rule of thumb” is to place
your thumb in the sciatic notch. If the notch is filled or there is only limited side-to-side
movement possible, it is a male. If considerable side-to-side movement is possible, it is a female.
-The preauricular sulcus is a depression between the sciatic notch and the sacroiliac articulation.
It most often is found in females.
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The Ischium-Pubis Index aids in sex estimation, according to the following formula:
Pubis length (A-C) X 100
Ischium (A-B) length
Ischium-Pubis Index =
Results
Below 90
90-95
95+
=
=
=
Male
Sex indeterminate
Female
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Cranial Markers
From Bass 1987
The skull probably is the second best area of the skeleton to use for determining sex. Estimation
of sex is based on the generalization that the male is more robust, rugged, and muscle marked
than the female. Absolute differences seldom exist, and many intermediate forms are found, but
the distinguishing characteristics are as follows:
Face
-Supraorbital ridges are more prominent in males than in females.
-Upper edges of the eye orbits are sharp in females, blunt in males.
-The palate is larger in males
-Teeth are larger in males.
Mandible
-The chin is more square in males and rounded with a point in the midline in females.
-Teeth are larger in males.
Vault
-The female skull is smaller, smoother, and more gracile. The female skull retains the childhood
characteristics of frontal and parietal bossing into adulthood.
-Muscle ridges, especially on the occipital bone, are larger in males (nuchal chrests).
-The posterior end of the zygomatic process extends as a crest farther in males, often much past
the external auditory meatus.
-Mastoid processes are larger in males.
-Frontal sinuses are larger in males.
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Estimating Age from Human Skeletal Remains
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Teeth
Pubic Synthesis
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Fusion of Epiphyses
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Estimating Stature from Human Skeletal Remains
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