Parturition markers and skeletal sex estimation

Abstract

The ability to identify whether a woman has been pregnant or has given birth has significant implications for our understanding of the human condition in biological anthropology and bioarchaeology research and the identification of individuals in forensic investigations. Parturition markers on the female pelvis have long been thought to result from increased pelvic movement and strain associated with pregnancy and childbirth; however, research to date has produced conflicting results regarding their association with parity and sex. The cause of parturition markers, their significance, and their accuracy remain a matter of contention. This chapter describes the research thus far into the cause of parturition markers, clarifies their status as a predictor of parity and sex, and makes recommendations for future research into their etiology.