Variability in cementum deposition in springbok from the South African Cape

Lam, Y. M.

doi:10.1016/j.jas.2007.07.007

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…The broad applicability of the PCM may also be limited by species‐specific life history events that cause variations in cementum deposition (e.g., reproduction, illness [Cerrito et al, 2021], nutrition [Lieberman, 1994], or environmental conditions [Lam, 2008]). However, whether variability in cementum deposition from these sources—which often occurs in the microstructure of cementum (Cerrito et al, 2021; Lieberman, 1994)—is large enough to significantly alter the overall relationship between proportion cementum and age is unknown and might be negligible.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A simple, low‐cost method to age mammals? An alternative to cementum annuli analysis

Gable

Johnson‐Bice

Windels

2023

Ecology and Evolution

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One of the most common and ubiquitous methods to age mammals is by counting the cementum annuli in molars, premolars, incisors, or canines. Despite the ubiquity and perceived simplicity of the method, cementum annuli analysis can be time‐consuming, expensive, inaccurate, and imprecise, and require specialized equipment. Using beavers (Castor canadensis) as a test species, we developed a straightforward method to age mammals that requires little specialized equipment. The method consists of: (1) digitizing longitudinally sectioned teeth and measuring the proportion of tooth surface area comprised of cementum (“proportion cementum”), (2) evaluating the relationship between proportion cementum and specimen age (determined from either known‐age samples or cementum annuli analysis), and (3) using the modeled relationship to estimate the age of other individuals based solely on proportion cementum. The relationship between proportion cementum and age was strongly correlated (R2 = .97–.98 depending on observer), similar between observers, and similar between known‐age specimens and those aged via cementum annuli analysis. Using this proportion cementum method, two independent observers accurately predicted the age of 80%–84% of specimens within 0.5 year and 96%–98% within 1 year. We suggest this aging method will likely work with most mammal species given the relatively consistent deposition of cementum throughout mammals' lives and has promise to be a simple and quick alternative to cementum annuli analysis regardless of whether one develops proportion cementum models using known‐age specimens or those aged via alternative methods.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The broad applicability of the PCM may also be limited by species-specific life history events that cause variations in cementum deposition (e.g., reproduction, illness [Cerrito et al, 2021], nutrition [Lieberman, 1994], or environmental conditions [Lam, 2008]).…”

Section: Ta B L Ementioning

confidence: 99%

A simple, low‐cost method to age mammals? An alternative to cementum annuli analysis

Gable

Johnson‐Bice

Windels

2023

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Incremental lines in acellular cementum are considered to correlate with seasonal growth in most species [ 44 ]. Histological differences in the orientation of collagen fibres and their degree of mineralization are thought to explain the alternating light and dark increments in dental cementum [ 44 , 55 ]. Seasonal changes in diet, nutritional intake, hormonal cycles, sunlight or mastication are considered to be related factors [ 56 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using cementochronology to assess the seasonality of catastrophic events in medieval mass graves (Kutná Hora-Sedlec, Czechia, 14th century): Preliminary results

Zazvonilová,

Brzobohatá,

Frolík

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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While season-of-death estimation using cementochronology is routine in archaeozoology, its use is much less frequent in bioarchaeology. Based on the character of the outermost increment (bright or dark), two seasons (spring/summer, autumn/winter) can be distinguished. Although many studies mention its potential and possible use in forensic anthropology or bioarchaeology, few exist with estimation results. This study aimed to apply cementochronology–a histological method based on counting and assessing regular circa-annual acellular cementum increments–to 42 individuals from medieval mass graves from Kutná Hora-Sedlec (Czechia, 14th century) to estimate the season-of-death. The mass graves belong to two stratigraphically distinct groups; written and archaeological sources relate them to two catastrophic events (the famine of 1318 and the plague epidemic of 1348–1350). Using cementochronology, we distinguished two distinct seasons corresponding to the two groups of graves, with individuals from the first group dying predominantly in spring/summer, while those from the second group died in autumn/winter. Taking into account the typical seasonal dynamics of epidemics, the results would be more in line with written sources. However, during the evaluation, we faced difficulties identifying the outermost increment and detecting the dark (thinner) increment; we recommend including only young and middle-aged adults in future studies, due to the difficulty of evaluation, and to consider the readability of the tissue (often affected by diagenesis). In conclusion, cementochronology has potential in the context of estimating the season-of-death, but the technical possibilities for enhancing the outermost increment need to be addressed, and the amount of data analysed expanded.

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“…For instance climatic variation (Wall-Scheffler and Foley, 2008), demographic stress (McCullough, 1996) or food procurement (Lieberman, 1993) may influence the rhythm of deposition and some variability may be seen within a population (Rolandsen et al, 2008). Besides, some species have been described as only partially following the predictable pattern (Lubinski and O'Brien, 2001;Lam, 2008). Consequently, the method has to be applied on species for which comparative collections have proved its reliability.…”

Section: Skeletochronologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Hunting behavior and Neanderthal adaptability in the Late Pleistocene site of Pech-de-l'Azé I

Rendu¹

2010

Journal of Archaeological Science

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Variability in cementum deposition in springbok from the South African Cape

Cited by 8 publications

References 41 publications

A simple, low‐cost method to age mammals? An alternative to cementum annuli analysis

A simple, low‐cost method to age mammals? An alternative to cementum annuli analysis

Using cementochronology to assess the seasonality of catastrophic events in medieval mass graves (Kutná Hora-Sedlec, Czechia, 14th century): Preliminary results

Hunting behavior and Neanderthal adaptability in the Late Pleistocene site of Pech-de-l'Azé I

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