A preliminary study of patterns of replication in Scoring linear enamel hypoplasias

In order to investigate replicability in scoring linear enamel hypoplasias 59 anterior teeth were evaluated by three observers. Hypoplasias were identified with low-power microscopy and by the unaided eye. Location on the tooth was determined through caliper and micrometer measurement as well as assignment to tooth ‘thirds’. Hypoplasia size was determined through measurement of episode width and comparison with a cast designed to categorize types of hypoplasia severity. Intra-observer analysis showed consistent scoring of about 65 per cent of individual hypoplasias between rounds, with high replicability in episode location, size and severity using all methods tested. Inter-observer error was similarly low for episode size and location, but consistent scoring of individual hypoplasias between observer pairs ranged between 21 and 39 per cent. It is likely that the most important factor in the low level of replicability is the slight size of the majority of hypoplasias involved. Thus, the results suggest that further work should be directed toward developing the minimum threshold for scoring episodes. Other issues include measures to control ‘drift’ in scoring procedures over time, and procedures to score large cervical hypoplasias in canines, which can appear as multiple episodes with magnification. Among the various scoring methods tested, determination of episode location was highly replicable using all three techniques. Episode width was also highly replicable using the micrometer, but the cast association proved less successful.     

Book reviews

DEMOCRACY IN THE DOMINIONS: A Comparative Study in Institutions. By Alexander Brady, 1947. (University of Toronto, pp. 475).

POSTWAR PROBLEMS OF MIGRATION. Papers presented at the Round Table on Population Problems, 1946 Conference of the Milbank Memorial Fund. New York, 1947, pp 173.

BRITISH POLICY IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC (1786–1893). By John M. Ward. 1948. (Sydney, Australasian Publishing Company, pp xii+364, three maps).

NEW CYCLE IN ASIA: SELECTED DOCUMENTS ON MAJOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FAR EAST, 1943–47. Edited by Harold R. Isaacs. Issued under the auspices of the Institute of Pacific Relations, 1947. (New York: Macmillan, pp. xiii+212).

DIPLOMATIC PRELUDE, 1938–9. By Professor L. B. Namier. (London, Macmillan & Co. Ltd., 1948).

AUSTRALIA'S COLOURED MINORITY, Its Place in the Community. By A. O. Neville. With an Introduction by Professor A. P. Elkin. (Currawong. 1948. 263 pages).

THE ALLIED MILITARY GOVERNMENT OF GERMANY. By W. Fried‐mann. 1948. (London, Stevens, pp. 362).

LABOUR IN SOUTH‐EAST ASIA: Edited by P. P. Pillai, New Delhi, Indian Council of World Affairs, 1947.

LABOUR PROBLEMS IN SOUTH‐EAST ASIA: Virginia Thompson, New‐Haven, Yale University Press, 1947.     

WHAT I BELIEVE ABOUT THE USEFUL DIVERSITY OF THEORY IN SOUTHEASTERN ARCHAEOLOGY

Theory is crucial but has become boring and unintelligible; it is often ignored by most professionals. Archaeology must include a foundation of culture history, processual science, and postprocessual imagination and counteraction of bias. Further, all archaeology should aim for public aspects and practical applications. Theoretical writing must be clear and avoid pretension. Gender bias in Southeastern archaeology is one of the worst distortions of the prehistoric record for what were probably matrilineal societies. Diverse humanistic approaches from many (including non-archaeological) viewpoints can provide worthwhile avenues for investigation with new scientific tools. Narrow interpretive frameworks should be avoided in favor of the delightful banquet of multiple simultaneous or blended approaches.