Analysis of quantitative methods for rib seriation using the Spitalfields documented skeletal collection

Area of Science:

• Forensic Anthropology
• Bioarchaeology
• Skeletal Biology

Background:

• Accurate rib seriation is crucial for determining minimum numbers of individuals, sequencing chest trauma, and identifying ribs for age estimation in forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology.
• Existing morphological methods for rib seriation have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate quantitative methods for rib seriation using three metric variables: superior (anterior) costo-transverse crest height (SCTCH), articular facet of the tubercle-to-angle length (AFTAL), and head-to-articular facet length (HAFL).
• To extend previous research by incorporating new metric traits and analyzing sex differences.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey tests were used to assess the association between metric variables and rib number in a sample of 133 individuals from the Christ Church Spitalfields skeletal collection.
• Comparison of quantitative seriation accuracy with established morphological methods.

Main Results:

• SCTCH and AFTAL showed significant association with rib number (P < 0.001).
• Central ribs (3rd-6th) were significantly distinct using SCTCH and AFTAL (P < 0.05).
• Simple ranking of SCTCH or AFTAL achieved 80% accuracy within +/-1 position, outperforming morphological methods.

Conclusions:

• SCTCH and AFTAL are reliable quantitative traits for rib seriation, with SCTCH being particularly effective.
• Significant sex dimorphism was observed for SCTCH and AFTAL.
• HAFL was found to be unreliable for rib seriation.