Skull

The skull can sometimes help to determine the sex of an individual. Like the pelvis, the differences between males and females in the skull are not seen in individuals younger than about 15 years (when all skulls look female). Adult males often have larger, more robust skulls than adult females because they are more muscular, but this is not always true. In order to determine the sex of this skeleton, certain features of the skull are examined. These features are discussed below.

Nuchal Crest

The nuchal crest is a horizontal ridge of bone where large neck muscles attach to the back of the skull. This ridge is often larger in males than in females because males have larger neck muscles.

The nuchal crest is scored by examining how large and rough it looks. Give a score of "1" if the nuchal crest looks smooth and does not stick very far out of the skull. Give a "5" score if the crest is large and looks like a hook.

Dr. Mulhern’s Explanation

The back of the cranial vault is very smooth, indicating that the nuchal crest is very small, with a score of "1".

Mastoid Process

The mastoid process is the place on the skull where the muscles responsible for rotating your head attach. It is just behind the ear (feel the lump just behind the lower part of your own ear). The other end of this cord-like muscle attaches at the base of the front of the neck. You can see the muscle that attaches to the mastoid by having a friend slowly shake his or her head back and forth; it sticks out when the head is looking over a shoulder. It is often larger in males than in females because males have a larger muscle. A small mastoid process that reaches just below the auditory meatus (the place where the ear canal goes through the skull) should be scored a 1. A large mastoid process that is several times as large as the auditory meatus in length and width should be scored a "5".

Dr. Mulhern’s Explanation

The mastoid process is toward the smaller end of the scale and it does not protrude very far below the external auditory meatus. I would give this mastoid process a score of "2".

Supra-Orbital Ridge

The supra-orbital ridge is a ridge above the eyes, also known as the brow ridge. It is often larger in males than in females. Feel the ridge on yourskull just over your eyes. A small ridge that looks smooth and does not stick out much should be scored a "1". A large ridge that sticks out quite far should be scored a "5".

Dr. Mulhern’s Explanation

The supraorbital area is very smooth with virtually no ridge at all (score of "1").

Forehead Shape

The shape of the forehead can be different in males and females. In females, the forehead rises vertically from the brow ridge, whereas it slopes back slightly in males.

Dr. Mulhern’s Explanation

The forehead of this individual rises vertically from the brow. I would give the forehead shape a score of "1".

Mental Eminence

The mental eminence is basically the chin. Anatomists call this the mental eminence because people sometimes hold it when they think. It is often larger and squarer in males than in females. A chin that does not stick out much and is somewhat pointed should be scored a "1". A bump that sticks out quite far and is more square-shaped should be scored a "5".

Dr. Mulhern’s Explanation

The mental eminence, or chin is quite small and pointed, with a score of "1".

Summary

Dr Mulhern says, "Based on all of the evidence, I believe that this skeleton belonged to a female. All of the features of the pelvis and the skull that I examined most closely resembled the features of a female skeleton".

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