Closing and non-closing sutures in 256 crania of known age and sex from Amsterdam (a.d. 1883–1909)

Abstract

By dividing a Dutch reference collection into two subsamples of different ages, remarkable differences were found in the suture closure process in these subsamples. Spearman rank correlations demonstrated that mean endocranial closure stage is correlated (P<0·001) with age in the ages below fifty but not in the ages above fifty. In the latter ages the closure stage of individual suture sections showed positive as well as negative correlations (0·001≤P<0·05) with age at death. Therefore two different suture closure indices were introduced as age indicators, one for each subsample. Both indices are correlated (P<0·001) with age within their subsample. It is supposed that the required division into subsamples may be realized with the help of other age indicators. As possible age indicator, especially when used together with others in “complex methods”, suture closure has not yet served its turn