Asymmetry in Metacarpal Cortical Bone in a Collection of British Post-Mediaeval Human Skeletons

Bilateral asymmetry in measures of metacarpal cortical bone, particularly second moments of area, in a group of 18th–19th century ad skeletons was investigated. The aim was to study variation in bilateral asymmetry with respect to sex and occupation. The skeletal material came from the crypt at Christ Church Spitalfields, London. The study sample comprised individuals with personal identifications from coffin plates. For a subset of the males, occupation was known from documentary sources. Results showed that bilateral asymmetry in second moment of area varied, to a limited extent, with occupation. Sex differences in bilateral asymmetry were also found.