METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES OF GENDER IDENTIFICATION IN SEXUAL IMMATURE INDIVIDUALS ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE EARLY MEDIEVAL OSTEOLOGICAL SAMPLE FROM MAMISONDON (NORTH OSETIYA)

Abstract

This article verifies the method of sex determination using discriminant
functions for the size of teeth in children and adults on an anthropological series
from the early medieval burial ground of Mamisondon with a high level of sexual dimorphism. Measurements of the mesio-distal and bucco-lingual sizes of teeth
were carried out in 60 adults and 43 children. By the method of step-by-step discriminant
analysis, the characters were selected that most successfully dividing
individuals by sex in our series, they turned out to be the sizes of molars. We have
built several discriminant equations based on deciduous and permanent molars,
which allow us to determine sex with an accuracy of 70-80%. In our work, we especially
note the importance of the first permanent molar for sex determination in
children, since it appears first among permanent teeth, which are more dimorphic
than deciduous teeth. We consider this method to be promising, however, due to
the unequal level of sexual dimorphism and the size of teeth in different populations,
the discriminant functions created by us are not universal and are applicable
only specifically to our series, or to another series with the same level of
sexual dimorphism and dimensional characteristics of the teeth.