An Automated Two‐dimensional Pairwise form Registration Method for Pair‐matching of Fragmented Skeletal Remains

Abstract

This study introduces an automated pairwise method for osteological pair-matching of fragmented skeletal remains using two-dimensional fragmented outlines extracted from photographs. The form data are used in pairwise iterative closest point registrations with rigid transformations. A modified version of the average Hausdorff distance is calculated to remove any coordinate correspondences with outline fracture margins, which allow the distance analysis of fragmented outlines. A dilation modification to the Hausdorff distance is proposed creating a greater separation between true- and false-pairs. The sample consists of 122 calcanei (61 pairs) from the UI-Stanford collection. Performance statistics are provided for simulated fragmented and complete assemblages. Results indicate up to 98% accuracy for fragmented and complete assemblages. The dilated Hausdorff distance performed similarly across assemblages, but showed a slight decrease in performance for the complete assemblage. This approach provides a useful short listing tool to reduce the number of visual comparisons required in large commingled assemblages.

How old are you now? A new ageing method for nonadults based on dental wear

“…The method has a wide age range of potential applicability, from the first signs of dental wear on the deciduous teeth, which usually occurs in the first year, up to 19 years of age. Additionally, we suggest further applications of regression analysis in the study of nonadult dental wear and highlight the versatility of R and the potential for its use in osteoarchaeology, which has also been shown in previous studies (Corron, Marchal, Condemi, Chaumoître, & Adalian, 2017;Kamnikar, Herrmann, & Plemons, 2018;Lynch, 2017;Lynch, 2018;Nikita, 2019;Santos, 2018;Sołtysiak, 2011). The proposed method would occupy a unique niche in dental ageing, as only the crowns are necessary for its utility, and it can be employed in cases where dental development and dental eruption are unobservable or inapplicable.…”