How do we know whether a skeleton belonged to a man or a woman? A team comprising researchers from CRIA has published a study in the journal Genes (MDPI) comparing sex estimation based on morphological analysis of bones and ancient DNA (aDNA) in 37 skeletons from the Carmo cemetery in Porto (19th century).

Relying solely on the shape of the bones can lead to errors in identifying biological sex – but relying on the power of genetics also requires caution, as chromosomes are just one aspect of the much richer tapestry of people’s biological and social representation — read the study and draw your own conclusions!

Developed as part of the BeFRAIL project, funded by FCT.

Authors: Francisca Alves-Cardoso (CRIA Polo NOVA FCSH), Cláudia Gomes, Sara Palomo-Díez, César López-Matayoshi, Steffi Vassallo (CRIA Polo NOVA FCSH), Anne Malcherek (CRIA Polo NOVA FCSH), Zélia Rodrigues (CRIA Polo NOVA FCSH), Sandra Assis (CRIA Polo NOVA FCSH) and Nicholas Márquez-Grant.

Open access: HERE