Stature estimation of ancient Egyptians from the Greco-Roman period

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to evaluate the stature estimation regression equations derived from the Egyptian sample from Giza Old Kingdom and those derived from another Egyptian sample from Naqada. The best equation was chosen on the basis of the least difference between the estimated and anatomical stature. The chosen regression equations were used to estimate the living stature of the Greco-Roman ancient Egyptians from Bahriyah Oasis. The material consists of 8 skeletons with at least one complete side and a number of disarticulated skeletal elements. The skeletons were excavated from big rocky tombs in Bahriyah Oasis and belonged to the Greco-Roman period [332-30 B.C]. The best bone for stature estimation has been found to be the femur for males and females. The estimated statures of the Greco-Roman ancient Egyptians based on the chosen equation were 163.3 cm and 153.9 cm for males and females respectively. Using equations derived from the Egyptian sample from Giza Old Kingdom is better for estimating the ancient Egyptian stature as it gives the least difference than the anatomical. Moreover, the Greco Roman ancient Egyptians were shorter than ancient Egyptians from Giza whose statures were 165.8 and 153.9 cm males and females respectively