The decade under review: Recent trends and challenges in the use of macroscopic age‐at‐death estimation methods in bioarchaeology

Accurate and precise age-at-death estimation methods are critical when studying past lifeways. However, adult is often difficult because of diverse physiologies, preservation, timing biological processes in target reference populations. These challenges can complicate the comparison results between studies, which also be impacted by training method preference each bioarchaeologist. In this paper, we first compare use two types methods, namely, traditional (e.g., pubic symphyseal aging) Transition Analysis. Second, build upon work Falys Lewis (2011), who reported frequencies 2000 2010, reporting frequency for over 40 years with special attention on last decade. We further their identifying trends minimum age at adulthood, categories, geographic region institutional affiliation author, sample origin interpreting possible implications comparability bioarchaeological literature. Our show that Analysis, affiliation, do not represent major sources variation literature so far. case could result from its limited thus far, while relative lack diversity both variables. There was, however, substantial type used, affect studies. study highlights need continued discussion about standardizing respecting unique needs samples.