EPIDERMAL RIDGE BREADTH: AN INDICATOR OF AGE AND SEX IN PALEODERMATOGLYPHICS

KRALIK M., NOVOTNÝ V. 2003. Epidermal ridge breadth: an indicator of age and sex in paleoderma- toglyphics. Variability and Evolution, Vol. 11: 5-30, Tabs. 5, Figs. 9. Adam Mickiewicz University, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Anthropology, Poznan. Abstract: Epidermal ridge breadth of human fingerprints was investigated on ceramic artifacts from contemporary ceramic workshops. Our investigation has shown that mean epidermal ridge breadth (MRB) as observed on ceramics can be used as an indicator of age (from birth to maturity) and sex of the artifact maker in adulthood. In this study, we suggest a new method of scanning, measuring and data processing. The best age estimation method (using equation proposed by Kamp et al. from Grinnell College, USA, and modified after shrinkage by 7.5%) yielded results with mean error of estimates -0.18 years (SD = 2.36 years), median absolute error of estimates was 1.71 years and only in 3.6% of cases the absolute errors were higher than 5 years. Therefore, in a particular ethnic group epidermal ridge breadth of fingerprints on ceramics is suitable for comparing of individuals' ages. The number of fingerprints and ridges per individual had no influence on estimation errors. In adults, sexual dimorphism was clearly present even though artifacts were made from different types of ceramic clays. Ridge breadth is 9% greater in males than in females. On the whole, MRB under 0.39 mm signifies a sub-adult individual under 15 years of age and MRB values over 0.52 mm come solely from adult males. However, age changes of ridge breadth in teenagers overlap with adult sexual dimorphism and therefore, in case of MRB values between 0.39 and 0.52 mm, variability in both age and sex should be taken into account. If this method is further developed, especially the qualitative aspects of fingerprints and properties of ceramic clay, it has great potential for illuminating the social background of ceramics-making in ancient cultures.

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