The age of a stone age human skeleton determined by means of root dentin transparency

Age determination at death of skeletal remains can prove difficult. The teeth are often well preserved and could present the only means for an age evaluation. Based on the closure of skull sutures and dental attrition, the age of a Stone Age man was judged to be about 60 years when he succumbed. This has now been verified by means of measuring the extent of root dentin transparency. The importance of teamwork in difficult cases regarding assessment of age in skeletal remains is pointed out.