Pelvic age estimation using actual specimens and remote images

Age estimates of the auricular surface (sacro-iliac joint) of the ilium taken from bony specimens, 35 mm slides, and digital images were compared for 29 intact specimens from archaeological contexts. Results demonstrate that age estimates from all photographic and digital images may result in significantly differing estimates of age than those from bony specimens. Of the imaging techniques, 35 mm slides provided estimates most similar to those from bony specimens. Digital images provided age estimates that varied more from bony specimens. In general, photographic and digital images may offer researchers a way of documenting age information that would otherwise be unavailable or delayed. Yet, caution should be used when age estimates are derived solely from images rather than from bony specimens.