The 'Ivory Man'—a Powerful Leader Buried in a Lavish Tomb 5,000 Years Ago—Was Actually a Woman
www.smithsonianmag.com
Researchers in Spain had previously assumed that the grave belonged to a high-status young man
  • clockwork_octopus@lemmy.worldEnglish
    21·
    1 year ago

    Nice! Glad to see they made their correction public. Not really sure how they could have screwed that up so badly though, aren’t male & female skeletons different enough that they’re recognizable? Or isn’t that a thing?

    • kromem@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      31·
      1 year ago

      Here is an excellent essay that discusses some of the history and issues with sexing based on bones over the years from an anthropologist.

      TL;DR: Better now, not always clear cut, had issues before 1972 of people just assuming ‘male’ instead of “I don’t know.”

      • clockwork_octopus@lemmy.worldEnglish
        21·
        1 year ago

        Thanks for linking that! It hadn’t occurred to me that there would (of course!) be an overlap for intersex individuals. Totally makes sense.

    • cutspaperEnglish
      21·
      1 year ago

      I think the bones may have been in bad condition.