Upgrading calculation methods for age estimation from cranial sutures in 594 crania from the Poschiavo ossuary

The paper presents a different approach for the calculation of age estimation based on observation of the cranial suture closure. Instead of a linear regression, multivariate statistics and specifically detrended correspondence analysis (dCA) is applied to the data. Two series of known sex and age were used, whereas the new approach was also applied to a large series of cranial material originating from an ossuary in Poschiavo, Switzerland. The aim of the study is to acquire more refined results for age estimation from cranial sutures, especially useful with poorly preserved or incomplete skeletal material. Taking the single observations as an assignment of multivariate statistics proved to be useful, and dCA has been demonstrated as a suitable method. Estimation of biological age based on skulls was possible with a precision of ±10 years. The accuracy of age estimations was improved when taking both surfaces of the skulls into account. Significant differences between the sex groups were recorded, therefore sex specific formula should be developed.