Abstract
Pathological and taphonomic agents can sometimes produce bone modifications that seem indistinguishable from one another, even to an experienced eye. The aim of this study is to propose a classification system to identify modifications observed on skeletal elements from different environmental and chronological contexts, with similar morphologies but varied aetiologies. Two types of classifications, empirical and statistical, were constructed, tested by two independent observers and compared. This classification system aims to categorise, differentiate and identify pathological and taphonomic bone modifications. In this paper, we identify several taphonomic criteria and propose a new term, “taphognomonic”, to characterise criteria that are specific to particular taphonomic agents. The two classification methods complement each other by providing precise (empirical classification) and reliable (statistical classification) diagnostic criteria. Finally, criteria are highlighted to differentiate pseudo-pathological from pathological bone modifications, the ultimate goal being to reduce the risk of misdiagnosis.
Résumé
Certains agents pathologiques ou taphonomiques peuvent être à l’origine de modifications osseuses tellement similaires que même un observateur aguerri ne peut les distinguer. Le but de cette étude est de proposer un outil d’identification d’un ensemble de modifications osseuses de morphologies similaires mais d’étiologies différentes, observées sur des éléments provenant d’environnements et de périodes différents. Deux systèmes de classification, empirique et statistique, ont été construits, puis testés et comparés par deux observateurs indépendants. Ces systèmes classent, différencient et identifient desmodifications osseuses d’origine taphonomique ou pathologique. Cette étude a permis d’identifier plusieurs critères taphonomiques et de proposer un nouveau terme, « taphognomonique », pour caractériser des critères spécifiques à certains agents taphonomiques. Les deux types de classification sont complémentaires: ils apportent des critères diagnostiques à la fois précis (classification empirique) et fiables (classification statistique). Enfin, les critères permettant de différencier les modifications pseudopathologiques des modifications d’origine pathologique sont mis en avant, le but ultime étant de réduire le risque d’erreur diagnostique.
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Corron, L., Huchet, J.B., Santos, F. et al. Using classifications to identify pathological and taphonomic modifications on ancient bones: Do “taphognomonic” criteria exist?. BMSAP 29, 1–18 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13219-016-0176-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13219-016-0176-3