| Title |
Metric and morphological analysis of pelvic scars in a historical sample from Lithuania: associations with sex, age, body size and pelvic dimensions / |
| Authors |
Praxmarer, Elisa-Maria ; Tutkuvienė, Janina ; Kirchengast, Sylvia |
| DOI |
10.1002/oa.2887 |
| Full Text |
|
| Is Part of |
International journal of osteoarchaeology.. Hoboken : Wiley-Blackwel. 2020, vol. 30, iss. 5, p. 629-641.. ISSN 1047-482X. eISSN 1099-1212 |
| Keywords [eng] |
dorsal pubic surface ; body size ; Lithuania ; pelvic dimensions ; pelvic scars ; sulcus preauricularis |
| Abstract [eng] |
The theory behind the formation and manifestation of pelvic scars, sometimes called “scars of parturition”, and particularly their potential use in determining parity history has been a debated issue among anthropologists for nearly 50 years. To date, the association between parity and scar formation still remains unclear. The present study tests the effects of sex, age, body size and pelvic dimensions on the morphological and metric features of dorsal pits, pubic tubercle and preauricular sulcus. 296 skeletons (167 males, 129 females) from historical samples in Lithuania were examined. Beyond assessing the above traits of these pelvic scars, we determined sex, age at death and pelvis dimensions. Moreover, we reconstructed body height and body mass. A marked sexual dimorphism was recorded. Scar formation was significantly more common among females. With increasing age, scar formation increased or remain unchanged. Pelvic dimensions, body height and body mass showed a weak association with pelvic scars. Sex seems to be independently associated with scar formation. Our results suggest that although sex plays a dominant role in scar formation, caution should be exercised in interpreting scars as being due solely to parity alone. The term “scars of parturition” should be avoided. |
| Published |
Hoboken : Wiley-Blackwel |
| Type |
Journal article |
| Language |
English |
| Publication date |
2020 |
| CC license |
|
