3.5 Physical anthropological examination
Although the pelvis and the skull are only partially preserved and partially fixed in the matrix, sufficient features can be assessed to determine sexualisation degrees. Sexualisation degrees were determined using the methods recommended by the Workshop of European Anthropologists (WEA 1980). Both the values for the pelvis and the skull indicate that the crouched inhumation was of female sex (Table 1).
Table 1: Sex determination of the pelvis and the skull (WEA, 1980) All features are scored between -2 and +2, ranging from hyperfeminine to hypermasculine. | |||
|
Feature Pelvis |
Weight |
Score |
Weight*score |
|
Greater sciatic notch |
3 |
-1 |
-3 |
|
Pubic angle/arch |
2 |
-1 |
-2 |
|
Ischial body |
2 |
-1 |
-2 |
|
Iliac fossa |
1 |
-1 |
-1 |
|
Sum |
8 |
-8 | |
|
Sexualisation degree pelvis |
-1.00 |
Percentage: 42% | |
|
Glabella |
3 |
-1 |
-3 |
|
Superciliary arch |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Mastoid process |
3 |
-1 |
-3 |
|
Supramastoid crest |
2 |
-1 |
-2 |
|
Sum |
10 |
-6 | |
|
Sexualisation degree cranium |
-0.60 |
Percentage: 31% | |
In its current state it is difficult to estimate the age at death of this female individual. All indicators show that it is an adult individual. All observable epiphyses have fused and a few dental elements show marked attrition. In addition a part of the surface of the pubic symphysis can be observed. This feature can be used to estimate age in adults (Acsádi & Nemeskeri 1970; WEA 1980). The presence of pitting or other supposed parturition changes (White & Folkens 2005, 380) would be a reason not to use this part of the skeleton for age determination. However, no such parturition changes are visible. Because of the formation of a continuous rim along the dorsal margin and the disappearance of the original structure on the surface of the pubic symphysis it would be categorised in phase 3 or higher. This is indicative of an age at death of 40 years or more. Stature cannot be calculated precisely since none of the long bones can be measured in full. For the left femur the total length can be reconstructed. Preserved in the grave is 44 centimetres of this bone, the missing part can be estimated at measuring circa 4 centimetres. If we assume that the total length of this femur originally was c. 48 cm the stature of this female would be 172.7 centimetres (using the regression formulas of Trotter & Gleser 1958). No evident pathological changes were observed during visual inspection of the bones at the surface of the grave. Nieuwenhuis notes the robust characteristics of the skull and his conclusion that this differed considerably from modern Dutch skulls is not supported by the re-investigation of the human remains. It is possible that Nieuwenhuis was more accustomed to the study of more gracile Asian human remains, which led him to this conclusion.