Phys.org: scientists determined the sex of a person who died 5,000 years ago by tooth enamel

Scientists have discovered an error in the identification of a skeleton found in an ancient tomb in Spain buried 5,000 years ago, according to a Phys.org report. The remains were discovered in 2008 near Seville, but they were poorly preserved. Archaeologists initially speculated that this was the skeleton of a high-status male based on the state of the nearly decayed bones and items found in the tomb, such as a rock crystal dagger with an ivory handle, amber, ostrich egg shells, and tusks.

However, new analyzes have refuted this hypothesis, indicating that a woman actually rested in the tomb. The researchers used tooth enamel analysis, which is more reliable than analysis of a poorly preserved skeleton and can detect differences in enamel chemistry between males and females when complete DNA is not available.

Archaeologist Katharina Rebay-Salisbury suggests that similar errors could have been made in identifying skeletons in other ancient graves. This can happen when researchers assume that a rich and high-ranking person is necessarily male.

Historian Alison Beach believes that the discovery is further evidence that older historical narratives should be viewed with a grain of salt. She notes that not only men received authority and reverence in society.