Skeletal Biologists Urge Shift Beyond Binary Sex Estimation
Human skeletal biologists traditionally estimate sex as part of establishing biological profiles for human remains, often relying on features of the pelvis, long bones, and skull. While current analytical methods frequently portray skeletal sex differences as purely binary (female or male), scientists argue that a person's sex, encompassing hormones, genetics, and various anatomies, can be more diverse than a strict male or female classification. This perspective suggests a need for skeletal biology to advance beyond a strict binary approach.
Human skeletal biologists commonly perform sex estimations when creating biological profiles for skeletonized remains. These profiles typically include skeletal sex, age-at-death, stature, and ancestry or population affinity. Methods often involve examining the shapes and sizes of bones such as the pelvis, long bones, and skull, among others.
While existing analytical methods frequently depict skeletal sex differences as strictly binary (female or male), some scientists contend that a person's sex can be more varied. This variability, they suggest, extends beyond a simple male or female categorization to include factors like hormones, genetics, external anatomy, internal anatomy, and the skeleton itself.
Consequently, these scientists advocate for modern human skeletal biology to evolve beyond a strict male/female binary approach in its estimations, recognizing the broader spectrum of biological sex.
According to Phys.org, this discussion highlights the evolving understanding of biological sex within the field.
