Bone Core Analysis of Baffin Island Skeletons

Abstract

Inupiaq Eskimo skeletons from the sites of Tasioya and Niutang, Baffin Island, Canada were analyzed using the bone core technique. Cortical thickness, core mineral content (gm/cm and gm/cm^), cortical bone density (gm/crn^) and seven cortical bone mi ero structural variables were assessed in a sample of hk skeletons. The results showed Baffin Island Eskimo skeletons to have thin femoral cortices and increased numbers of secondary osteons per unit area compared with other populations. Ages at death determined by morphological and histological methods were in good agreement in individuals older than 35 years of age and in poor agreement in individuals less than 35 years of age. This finding supports the necessity of population-specific age estimating regression equations for archaeological and forensic skeletons.