The Stature web interface was created in 2020 and is based on Stature software (
Polcerová, Králík 2016
,
Polcerová 2016
).
It is used to estimate the stature of an individual from skeletal remains based on 53 dimensions (Measurements tab).
All implemented methods that can be used to estimate the stature of an individual are on the Methods tab and represented
by 13 methods in 22 variants.
Unlike the desktop version, it is not necessary to download the web interface on your own computer,
but it is freely available online. It also offers a better user experience as it is possible to download
results in .csv format compared to the desktop version. This feature was implemented with respect to subsequent
statistical processing.
The primary difference is the possibility to upload a spreadsheet (in .csv format) with the measured values of a
larger number of individuals and with a simple click download the results (based on all 13 methods and their 22
variants).
The uploaded spreadsheet must be in the appropriate format, and you can download an empty spreadsheet at this link:
Where it is not possible to estimate the height of an individual based on the entered values
(either in single case or multiple input), the Stature interface returns the NA value. Similarly,
when the individual's sex or age is unknown, the NA value will be stored in the results.
SINGLE CASE
Sex of an individual is coded as follows: f = females, m = males, NA = Unknown.
Age of an individual can be selected from interval 18 – 100 years, since all the methods implemented in Stature
interface are for adult skeleton (note: an update is planned including methods for the juvenile skeleton).
There is also possibility to select NA for age of an individual in case this value is not available.
All measurements are entered in centimetres and with decimal point.
MULTIPLE INPUT
Uploaded table (.csv file) needs to have appropriate format (see download above).
Each case is represented by one row identified by ID.
Similarly to Single case, is sex of an individual coded as follows: f = females, m = males, NA = Unknown
and age is entered as number or again NA value.
We recommend adding NA values for dimensions that could not be recorded.
All measurements are counted in centimetres and because the Stature interface works with a decimal point,
we recommend using it in the default table. Alternatively, you must select the appropriate file upload options.
The uploaded table is by no means stored on the server and only works as a template for calculating the results
(For this reason, it must have an appropriate format).
All results of all 13 methods (22 variants), ie 236 variables, are downloaded including those that could not be calculated - the NA value.
An overview of the variables is provided on the Methods tab with the option to download a well-arranged overview.xlsx.
H1 – Maximum humeral length
The maximum length that can be measured between the top of the humeral head and the most distant
point on the distal humerus. Measured with an osteometric board
(Martin 1928 in T. D. White et al. 2012, p. 183).
Methods using this dimension: Bach - females (1965), Černý and Komenda (1982) - females,
Černý and Komenda (1982) - males, Dobisíková et al. - sex combined (2000),
Dobisíková et al. - females (2000), Dobisíková et al. - males (2000), Humphry (1858),
Pearson - females (1899), Pearson - males (1899), Sjøvold - Caucasian (1990), Sjøvold (1990),
Telkkä - females (1950), Telkkä - males (1950), Trotter and Gleser (1952) - afro-american females,
Trotter and Gleser (1952) - afro-american males, Trotter and Gleser (1952) - caucasians females,
Trotter and Gleser (1952) - caucasians males, Zeman, Králík (2012).
H2 – Humeral biomechanical length
The distance between the top of the humeral head and the distalmost point on the lateral lip of the trochlea.
Measured with an osteometric board (Trinkaus et al., 1999 in T. D. White et al. 2012, p. 183).
Methods using this dimension: Bach - females (1965),
Breitinger - males (1937).
R1 – Maximum radial length
Place the head of the radius against the stationary end of an osteometric board and use the sliding plate
to measure the maximum distance to the distalmost tip of the styloid process
(Martin 1928 in T. D. White et al. 2012, p. 190).
Methods using this dimension: Humphry (1858), Pearson - females (1899),
Pearson - males (1899), Sjøvold - Caucasian (1990), Sjøvold (1990),
Trotter and Gleser (1952) - afro-american females, Trotter and Gleser (1952) - afro-american males,
Trotter and Gleser (1952) - caucasians females, Trotter and Gleser (1952) - caucasians males.
R1b – Radial parallel length
Distance of the lateral border of the radial head to the tip of processus styloideus (Bach 1965, p. 20).
Methods using this dimension: Bach - females (1965),
Breitinger - males (1937)
R2 – Radial biomechanical length
Using a spreading caliper or a large sliding caliper with inside points, measure the distance
between the center (deepest point) of the radial head and the deepest point of the carpal
(or distal radial) articular surface (Trinkaus, et al., 1999 in T. D. White et al. 2012, p. 190).
Methods using this dimension: Sjøvold - Caucasian (1990), Sjøvold (1990),
Telkkä - females (1950), Telkkä - males (1950)
U1 – Maximum ulnar length
Place the olecranon against the stationary end of an osteometric board and use the sliding
plate to measure the maximum distance to the distalmost tip of the styloid process
(Martin 1928 in T. D. White et al. 2012, p. 196).
Methods using this dimension: Sjøvold - Caucasian (1990), Sjøvold (1990),
Trotter and Gleser (1952) - afro-american females, Trotter and Gleser (1952) - afro-american males,
Trotter and Gleser (1952) - caucasians females, Trotter and Gleser (1952) - caucasians males.
U2 – Ulnar biomechanical length
With a spreading caliper or a large sliding caliper, measure the distance between the proximodistal midpoint
of the trochlear notch and the centerpoint of the distal head (Trinkaus et al., 1999 in T. D. White et al. 2012, p. 197).
Methods using this dimension: Telkkä - females (1950), Telkkä - males (1950).
F1 – Maximum femoral length
The maximum length that can be measured between the top of the femoral head and the bottom of the farthest condyle.
Measured with an osteometric board (Martin 1928 in T. D. White et al. 2012, p. 250).
Methods using this dimension: Bach - females (1965), Breitinger - males (1937),
Černý and Komenda (1982) - females, Černý and Komenda (1982) - males, Dobisíková et al. - females
(2000), Dobisíková et al. - males (2000), Dobisíková et al. - sex combined (2000),
Humphry (1858), Pearson - females (1899), Pearson - males (1899), Sjøvold - Caucasian (1990),
Sjøvold (1990), Telkkä - females (1950), Telkkä - males (1950), Trotter and Gleser (1952) -
afro-american females, Trotter and Gleser (1952) - afro-american males, Trotter and Gleser (1952)
- caucasians females, Trotter and Gleser (1952) - caucasians males.
F1b – Femoral physiological length
Place the condyles on the stationary end of the osteometric board, flat against the horizontal
plane. Set the mobile end against the most superior aspect of the femoral head, parallel to the
stationary end. Measure at maximum length (Raxter et al., 2006, p. 382).
Methods using this dimension: Auerbach (2011), Fully (1956), Raxter et al. (2006).
F2 – Femoral biomechanical length
Using a large sliding caliper, place the stationary jaw on the inferiormost point of the superior
femoral neck, and then measure the distances to: 1) the distalmost point of the medial condyle;
and 2) the distalmost point of the lateral condyle. Biomechanical length is the average of these
two distances (Trinkaus et al., 1999 in T. D. White et al. 2012, p. 251).
Methods using this dimension: Auerbach (2011), Fully (1956), Raxter et al. (2006).
T1 – Tibial length
Place the medial malleolus on the stationary end of the osteometric board, with the shaft of the tibia
parallel to the long axis of the board. Set the mobile end against the most superior aspect of the
lateral condyle of the tibia, parallel to the stationary end. We recommend that a trackless osteometric
board be used to take this measure, to allow the freedom of the mobile end’s placement (Raxter et al., 2006, p. 382).
Methods using this dimension: Auerbach (2011), Fully (1956), Humphry (1858), Raxter
et al. (2006), Sjøvold - Caucasian (1990), Sjøvold (1990), Telkkä - females (1950), Telkkä - males (1950),
Trotter and Gleser (1952) - afro-american females, Trotter and Gleser (1952) - afro-american males,
Trotter and Gleser (1952) - caucasians females, Trotter and Gleser (1952) - caucasians males.
T1b – Tibial medial length
Distance of the center point of the side edge of the upper medial articular surface to the tip
of the malleolus (Bach 1965, p. 20).
Fi1 – Maximum fibular length
The maximum length that can be measured between the top of the styloid proces and the bottom of the
lateral malleolus. Measured with an osteometric board (Martin 1928 in T. D. White et al. 2012, p. 269).
Methods using this dimension: Sjøvold - Caucasian (1990), Sjøvold (1990), Telkkä -
females (1950), Telkkä - males (1950), Trotter and Gleser (1952) - afro-american females, Trotter and
Gleser (1952) - afro-american males, Trotter and Gleser (1952) - caucasians females, Trotter and Gleser
(1952) - caucasians males.
M17 – Cranial height
The maximum length between bregma and basion. This measure can be taken with calipers placed either
laterally or posteriorly, relative to the cranium (Raxter et al., 2006, p. 382).
Methods using this dimension: Auerbach (2011), Fully (1956), Raxter et al. (2006).
C2 – Second cervical vertebra
The most superior point of the odontoid process (dens) to the most inferior point of the anterioinferior
rim of the vertebral body (Raxter et al., 2006, p. 382).
Methods using this dimension: Auerbach (2011), Fully (1956), Raxter et al. (2006).
C3-C7 – Cervical vertebrae
The maximum height of the vertebral body, measured in its anterior third, medial to the superiorly curving
edges of the centrum. Sliding calipers (Raxter et al., 2006, p. 382).
Methods using this dimension: Auerbach (2011), Fully (1956), Raxter et al. (2006).
Th1-Th12 – Thoracic vertebrae
The maximum height of the vertebral body anterior to the rib articular facets and pedicles
(Raxter et al., 2006, p. 382).
Methods using this dimension: Auerbach (2011), Fully (1956), Raxter et al. (2006).
L1-L5 Lumbar vertebrae
The maximum height of the vertebral body, anterior to the pedicles, not including any swelling
of the centrum due to the pedicles (Raxter et al., 2006, p. 382).
Methods using this dimension: Auerbach (2011), Fully (1956), Raxter et al. (2006).
S1 – First sacral vertebra
The maximum height between the anterior-superior rim of the body (i.e., the sacral promontory)
and its point of fusion/articulation with the second sacral vertebra. This most commonly occurs in
the midline. Measure with the calipers parallel to the anterior surface of S1
(Raxter et al., 2006, p. 382).
Methods using this dimension: Auerbach (2011), Fully (1956), Raxter et al. (2006).
TC – Talus-calcaneus height
Articulate the talus and the calcaneus, using the right hand for the left tarsals and vice versa.
Use one hand to stabilize the articulation, point the distal articulations away from your palm, with the
thumb holding the bones together superior to the peroneal tubercle )where the talus and calcaneus meet),
the index finger on the opposite side lateral to the trochlea of the talus, and the middle finger in the
sustentacular sulcus. Place the trochlea against the stable end of the osteometric board, with both
lateral and medial edges of the trochlea contacting the board. Position the trochlea of the talus so
that the stable end of the board forms a tangent to the midpoint of the trochlear surface. place the
mobile end of the calcaneal tuber, parallel to the stable end (Raxter et al., 2006, p. 382).
Methods using this dimension: Auerbach (2011), Fully (1956), Raxter et al. (2006).
METHODS
List of all the variants of used methods with additional notes. For each method, an abbreviation is noted to indicate
the variable in the results file (.csv). This sheet can be downloaded as a .xlsx file here:
Auerbach B. M. (2011): Methods for Estimating Missing Human Skeletal Element Osteometric Dimensions
Employed in the Revised Fully Technique for Estimating Stature.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology,
145, 67–80.
Bach, H. (1965): Zur Berechnung der Körperhöhe aus den langen Gliedmaßenknochen weiblicher Skelette.
Anthropologischer Anzeiger,
29, 12–21.
Baten J. – Blum M. (2012): Growing Tall but Unequal: New Findings and New Background
Evidence on Anthropometric Welfare in 156 Countries, 1810–1989,
Economic History of Developing Regions,
27(sup1), S66-S85.
Breitinger, E. (1937): Zur Berechnung der Körperhöhe aus den langen Gliedmaßenknochen.
Anthropologischer Anzeiger,
14, 249–274.
Černý, M. – Komenda, S. (1982): Reconstruction of body height based on humerus and femur lengths
(material from Czech lands).
IInd Anthropological Congress of Aleš Hrdlička.
Praha: Univerzita Karlova, 475–479.
Dobisíková, M. – Velemínský, P. – Zocová, J. – Beran, M. (2000): Výpočet délky
těla z délky dlouhých kostí. Smolenice 1999:
Zbornik referatov a posterov z antropologickych dni s medzinarodnou učasťou,
25. – 26. 10. 1999. Bratislava: Slovenská antropologická spoločnosť pri SAV, 33–37.
Fully, G. (1956): Une nouvelle méthode de détermination de la taille.
Annales de medecine legale, criminologie, police scientifique et toxicologie,
36, 266–273.
Fully, G. - Pineau, H. (1960): Détermination de la stature au moyen du squelette.
Annales de medecine legale, criminologie, police scientifique et toxicologie,
40, 146–153.
Humphry, G. M. (1858):
A Treatise on the Human Skeleton (Including the Joints).
London.
Pearson, K. (1899):
IV. Mathematical contribution to the theory of evolution. - V. On the reconstruction of the
stature of prehistoric races.
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series A, 192, 169-244.
Raxter, M. H. - Auerbach, B. M. - Ruff, C. B. (2006): Revision of the Fully technique for
estimating statures.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology,
130(3), 374–384.
Raxter, M. H. - Ruff, C. B. - Auerbach, B. M. (2007): Technical note: revised Fully stature
estimation technique.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology,
133(2), 817–818.
Sjøvold, T. (1990): Estimation of stature from long bones utilizing the line of organic correlation.
Human Evolution,
5(5), 431–447.
Telkkä, A. (1950): On the prediction of human stature from the long bones.
Acta Anatomica,
9(1-2), 103–117.
Trotter, M. - Gleser, G. C. (1952): Estimation of stature from long bones of American Whites and Negros.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology,
10, 463–514.4.
White, T. D. - Black, M. T. - Folkens, P. A. (2011):
Human osteology,
Third Edition. Elsevier Academic Press. ISBN: 978-0-12-374134-9.
Zeman, T. - Králík M. (2012): Assumptions for using line of organic correlation for stature estimation.
Slovenská Antropológia,
15(2), 63–70.
Chang, W. - Cheng, J. - Allaire, JJ. - Xie, Y. - McPherson, J. (2018):
shiny: Web Application Framework for R.
R package version 1.2.0.
https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=shiny
.