Age at death: iliac sacro-pelvic surface (Schmitt, 2005)

Estimates adult age at death from four characters of the iliac sacro-pelvic surface, and gives the probability distribution over five age classes together with the chronological interval proposed by the author.

SSPIA · transverse organization

Undulations and striations are organised perpendicular to the axis of the vertical and horizontal segments of the articular surface. Undulations are defined as slight ridges separated by furrows, but they most often resemble "wrinkles" on the surface. Striations are a much attenuated form of the undulations.

SSPIA1 Undulations or striations over part or all of the articular surface, organised perpendicular to the axis of the vertical and horizontal segments of the surface.

SSPIA2 No undulation or striation.

SSPIB · modification of the articular surface

With age, the texture of the articular surface changes and porosities form. Surface texture corresponds to granulation, which resembles the appearance of finer or coarser sandpaper. A porosity is a perforation of the surface. These porosities vary in size, from 1 to 10 mm.

SSPIB1 No granulation; an island of fine granulation and isolated porosities are nevertheless possible.

SSPIB2 Granulation over most of the articular surface; scattered porosities possible.

SSPIB3 A combination of coarse granulation and deep or partial porosities, the latter grouped over a limited area of the surface.

SSPIB4 Coarse granulation and/or deep and numerous porosities.

SSPIC · apical modification

The apex is the border of the articular surface; it lies at the junction of the two segments of the auricular surface. The outlines of the auricular surface correspond to the insertion of the joint capsule. According to Lovejoy et al. (1985), morphological changes of the apex correspond to a modification of "osteoarthritic" type. However, since bone production occurs at the level of the capsule, these are rather enthesopathies.

SSPIC1 The border is thin; it may be level with the articular surface or slightly raised, and it forms an angle.

SSPIC2 The border is blunted and thickens. It may form a simple lip or an amorphous bony formation.

SSPID · modification of iliac tuberosity

The region posterior to the auricular surface corresponds to the insertion of the interosseous sacro-iliac ligament. The ligament insertion region is subject to high mechanical stress, which may partly explain the bone remodelling on the iliac tuberosity. Metabolic changes cannot, however, be ruled out. Bony formations on the iliac tuberosity appear at around 50 years and develop with age.

SSPID1 Smooth surface, no sign of bone remodelling.

SSPID2 Bone remodelling or fine entheses.