2. Examine the skeletal material (or the image in the Lab 7 Exercise Image Library on p. 218), which is from a female and shows the symphyseal face of the pubis. Compare it with the Suchey-Brooks age phases provided in Figure 7.14 (on p. 194). What is the approximate age of this individual? EXERCISE 3 AGING LAB 7| Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology Dorsal FEMALE PHASE 1 090 Ventral Buikstra, IE and D.H. Ubelaker 1994. Standards for data collection from human skeletal remains. Research Series, no. 44. Arkansas Archaeological Survey, Fayetteville 100000 FIGURE 7.14 Suchey-Brooks Age Phases The pubic symphyseal face undergoes changes as we age. Thus, it can be used to help determine an individual's age at death. This figure shows six phases of age-related change, labeled 1-6. Note that the age phases differ slightly for females and males. For each sex, the top image shows morphology at the start of the given phase, while the bottom image shows morphology at the end of the given phase. SUCHEY-BROOKS AGE PHASES Standard Mean Age at Death, Female (273) Deviation, 95% Range, Female Female 19.4 years 2 3 5 6 Phase 25.0 years 30.7 years 38.2 years 48.1 years 60.0 years 2.6 4.9 8.1 10.9 14.6 12.4 15-24 years Mean Age at Death, Male (739) 18.5 years 19-40 years 23.4 years 21-53 years 28.7 years 26-70 years 35-2 years 25-83 years 45.6 years 42-87 years 61.2 years Standard Deviation, Male 2.1 3.6 6.5 9.4 10.4 12.2 95% Range, Male 15-23 years Description Symphyseal face has a billowing surface composed of ridges and furrows which includes the pubic tubercle. The horizontal ridges are well marked. Ventral beveling may be commencing Although ossific nodules may occur on the upper extremity, a key feature of this phase is the lack of delimitation for either extremity (upper or lower). 19-34 years Symphyseal face may still show ridge development. Lower and upper extremities show early stages of delimitation, with or without assific nodules. Ventral rampart may begin formation as extension from either or both extremities 21-46 years Symphyseal face shows lower extremity and ventral rampart in process of completion. Fusing assific nodules may form upper extremity and extend along ventral border. Symphyseal face may either be smooth or retain distinct ridges. Dorsal plateau is complete. No lipping of symphyseal dorsal margin or bony ligamentous outgrowths. 23-57 years Symphyseal face is generally fine-grained, although remnants of ridge and furrow system may remain. Oval outline usually complete at this stage, though a hiatus may occur in upper aspect of ventral circumference. Pubic tubercle is fully separated from the symphyseal face through definition of upper extremity Symphyseal face may have a distinct rim. Ventrally, bony ligamentous outgrowths may occur in inferior portion of pubic bone adjacent to symphyseal face. Slight lipping may appear on dorsal border 27-66 years Slight depression of the face relative to a completed rim. Moderate lipping is usually found on the dorsal border with prominent ligamentous outgrowths on the ventral border. Little or no rim erosion, though breakdown possible on superior aspect of ventral border 34-86 years Symphyseal face shows ongoing depression as rim erodes. Ventral ligamentous attachments are marked. Pubic tubercle may appear as a separate bony knob. Face may be pitted or porous, giving an appearance of disfigurement as the ongoing process of erratic ossification proceeds. Crenellations may occur, with the shape of the face often irregular.