Estimation of Australopithecine Stature from Long Bones: A.L.288–1 as a Test Case

Abstract

Regression equations for the estimation of stature from long bones, although derived from modern human populations, are frequently applied to early hominids. In fact, some of these equations have even been recommended or especially created to be applied to Australopithecus remains. In this study, 45 sets of regression and correlation formulae, recurrent in anthropological and medico-legal literature, are applied to long bones of the Pliocene hominid A.L.288-1 (‘Lucy’), in order to assess which, if any, could be considered suitable for stature reconstruction in ‘gracile’ australopithecines. Virtually every method based on regression equations overestimates stature as compared with the estimate based on reconstruction of all the preserved skeletal parts. In addition, most methods failed to give consistent results with data from different limb segments. None of the sets of regression formulae tested here can be recommended as a reliable means of stature estimation in ‘gracile’ australopithecines.

Femur/stature ratio and estimates of stature in mid‐ and late‐pleistocene fossil hominids

“…The compromise of averaging the estimates from male and female regression equations, which is commonly adopted in paleoanthropology (see, e.g., McHenry, 1974;Trinkaus, 19811 It is of more than passing interest that the femur/stature ratio yields a stature of 105.6 cm for "LucJ&' a value that is consistent with our own ode1 I1 regression estimate (Feldesman and Lundy, 1988), Junger's model I1 regression estimate (Jungers 1988b), Schmid's anatomical reconstruction (Geissmann, 1986b1, andJohanson andEdey's (1981) original published "guesstimate." It is significantly different from the values derived from virtually any of the currently published standard regression formulae that Geissmann (1986b) cites, as well as the newer equations for South African blacks (Lundy and Feldesman, 1987) and for pygmies (Olivier, 1976). Ruff (personal communication) believes that if ethnic group is broadly known, then ethnic group-specific ratios should be used, We generally agree with Ruff but, as we show below, grwp-specific ratios do not consistently net dramatic (or even significant) gains in accuracy, and sometimes they do worse.…”

Lucy's length: Stature reconstruction in Australopithecus afarensis (A.L.288–1) with implications for other small‐bodied hominids

“…It is not surprising, therefore, that frequent attempts have been made to estimate stature for extinct hominids, including australopithecines (Helmuth, 1968;Lovejoy and Heiple, 1970;Robinson, 1972;Wolpoff, 1973;McHenry, 1974;Olivier, 1976;Reed and Falk, 1977;White, 1980;Geissmann, 1986;Feldesman and Lundy, 1987). The unusually small body size of fossils such as A.L.288-1, STS-14, and 0.H.62 renders standard least-squares regressions drawn from living human groups inapproporiate for purposes of estimation because extrapolation far outside the observed ranges is required Bicker, 1973Bicker, , 1984Olivier, 1976;Draper and Smith, 1981).…”

“…As one measure of overall size, stature has figured prominently in numerous attempts to reconstruct the body size of fossil hominids, especially for australopithecines (Helmuth, 1968;Lovejoy and Heiple, 1970;Robinson, 1972;Wolpoff, 1973; McHenry, 1974;Olivier, 1976;Reed and Falk, 1977;White, 1980;Geissmann, 1986). The recovery of fossil remains of individuals of extremely small body size and with body proportions clearly distinct from all living humans has served to complicate such attempts (Johanson and White, 1979;Johanson et al, 1987).…”

Stature estimation from complete long bones in the Middle Pleistocene humans from the Sima de los Huesos, Sierra de Atapuerca (Spain)

“…To combat these problems, researchers derived alternate procedures involving the use of reference populations that are more similar in size to the fossil specimens (Lovejoy and Heiple, 1970;McHenry, 1974McHenry, , 1991McHenry, , 1992Olivier, 1976;Trinkaus, 1981Trinkaus, , 1983Leakey and Walker, 1985;Geissmann, 1986;Ruff et al, 1997). These studies suggest that stature estimations for fossil hominins should be based on equations derived from modern populations with similar body proportions.…”