The Influence of Population Variability on Pelvic Sexual Dimorphism: A Case Study from the Parthian Cemetery (247 BCE to 224 AD), Liyarsangbon in Guilan, Iran.

Document Type : Research Article

Author

Department of Humanity and Literature, University of Guilan, Guilan, Iran.

Abstract

A population-specific approach to skeletal analysis is critical due to the impacts of environmental and cultural
factors on human variation. This study analysed sex determination in 77 individuals, discovered from the Liyar-
Sang-Bon cemetery in Guilan, Iran (2016–2018), using both metric and non-metric innominate bone assessments.
Its primary aim was to evaluate the applicability of global standards and identify factors shaping anatomical
variation in this population. Initial analyses applied global sex determination methods, followed by statistical
comparisons (t-tests) to identify reliable indicators within the pelvis, including the sacrum and Os coxae. The
results reveal significant sexual dimorphism in certain pelvic regions, although not all indicators met the statistical
threshold (P<0.05). These findings highlight the limitations of universal standards, emphasising the need for
population-specific data. They also demonstrated that results may vary when using with larger or more diverse
samples. The study underscores the challenges of pelvic-based sex estimation due to biological and population
diversity. By comparing traditional and modern methods, it advocates for localised methodologies and contributes
invaluable insights into human biodiversity. Future research that integrates broader skeletal evidence with larger
sample sizes is essential for refining techniques and enhancing accuracy in both forensic and bioarchaeological
applications.

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Archaeological Studies
Volume 15, Issue 1
2025
Pages 55-68

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