How to use the Program:

Determining Species by Total Lengths:
Measure the total length of the bone. Identify the type of bone you wish to search on the "The Bones" button and click on the "pull down menu" to the exact total length.This will take you to a page with photographs of all the possible species for that length. (Wand over the images with the curser and the images will "rollover" to view the back aspect of the bones) By comparing the diversity of the characteristics of the different bones will possibly narrow down the bone to a specific species or at least the possibility of two or three species. Having narrowed down the possibilities one can go to a comparative faunal collection for verification and final identification. Clicking on an image will take you to the species page with images of all the long bones and measurement details.

You can also use the "Comparative Lists" to carry out the same results. The "Comparative Lists" are useful in showing the ranges within a species as well as the differences and similarities in size between species.

Determining Species by End Widths:
Measure the end width of the bone. Identify the type of bone you wish to search on the "The Bones" button and click on "End Widths" to search the widths of the end of a long bone. Ranges of both the proximal and distal ends of the bones are provided in numerical order. Clicking on the species will take you to the "Species Page" with images of the long bones and more details of the measurements.

Determining Sex:
In some cases you can determine the sex with the total length of a bone. After determining the species, go to the "Species Page" and compare the male and female measurements of the particular bone.

For more information please see FAQ's.