CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Luna and co-authors (2017) developed a new method for sex estimation of non-adult individualsusing the auricular surface of the ilium. This method proposed two equations (a discriminantfunction and a logistic regression) and two morphological variables (named MRS and OM).The estimations based on these four parameters do not usually coincide, and recent studies pointthat MRS tend to offer better results. This presentation aims to evaluate the interobservererror of MRS in a 14th century sample of 30 commingled non-adult ilia from the medievalvillage of Geridu (Sorso, Sardinia, Italy). Five authors recorded MRS separately, withoutknowledge of the results obtained by the others. All coincided in 40.0% (12/30) of the cases, fourin 26.7% (8/30) and three in 33.3% (10/30). The results by laterality show that they coincided morein the right bones than in the left ones (46.8% and 33.3%, respectively), without statistically significant differences (D=0.3; p=0.9). Moreover, the statistical evaluation of the interobserver errorindicates that the results of the most experienced researchers tend to agree more (k=0.8; p=0.0)than those with less experience (K=0.3; p=0.3). In conclusion, as it seems to be easier to assessthe shape of MRS when the right ilia are observed, it is suggested that when that bone is not available, the analysis should be carried out using a mirrored image of the left. On the other hand, itis highlighted that the level of experience of the researchers is a variable that strongly influencesthe results.