Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 100. (Budapest 2008)
Bernert, Zs.: Data for the calculation of body height on the basis of extremities of individuals living in different historical periods in the Carpathian Basin
3) By using certain body height calculation methods, we get considerably different values for the given bone types as shown in the rows of Table 2. In extreme cases, the differences of body height estimations based on the bones of the same individual can exceed 10 centimetres. This phenomenon can be explained by the fact that these methods had been elaborated on individuals strongly different than those people in our samples. Just compare data of Tables 9 and 10 in the work of MENDONCA (2000) with those found in Table 1 and 2 of this document, and it is obvious why we can query the validity of height calculation methods worked out for different distant populations. 4) I observed considerable deviation in terms of body height values when applying different estimation methods. This goes beyond figure differences mentioned above because dissimilar data collection, different age or health conditions of individuals etc. also influenced the findings of researchers when working out their calculation methods. Mainly because of these considerable deviations in terms of results given by body height calculation methods, researchers have not clearly been in favour of one or the other method. It is beyond argument that we cannot actually measure the height of ancient people. Nevertheless, mathematical formulas can be worked out for the postcranial bone database of historical populations found in the Carpathian Basin and these formulas can be used for calculations performed on further samples from the same territory as well. The idea behind is as follows: As the first step, I used the male formula to calculate male bone lengths of Table 3 by using several methods worked out for Europeans. When calculating the average body height, I applied methods worked out by the quoted authors, as specified by the following works: SJ0VOLD (1990) for both genders and all the races, PEARSON & RÖSING (1988, cit. ERY 1992), TROTTER & GLESER (1958) for white people, TELKKA (1950, cit. OLIVIER 1960), DUPERTUIS & HADDEN (1951) for whites, BREITINGER (1938), OLIVIER (1978, cit. ÉRY 1992), DEBETS & DYRNOVO (1971). Secondly, I took the average of body heights calculated on the basis of the different types of bones per method. I continued averaging, thus, I received only one height value for each and every row of Table 3. Finally, I prepared the linear regression equations resulting in body height data as follows (Table 5). As far as females are concerned, we have to take into account that limb ratio is different in case of the two sexes. My reasoning was the following: Table 5. Formulas for calculating the body height of males Males 0.310 x Ml humerus + 68.460 0.4l0xMl radius + 68.045 0.189 X Ml femui + 84.222 0.240 xMl tibia + 81.211 0.106 x(Ml femur +Ml tibia ) + 82.897
