Sorting the flock: Quantitative identification of sheep and goat from isolated third lower molars and mandibles through geometric morphometrics

Sheep and goat are often herded together show morphological similarities in their skeleton. Being able to identify archaeological remains of these two taxa species level is particularly important for understanding characterising past herding practices. Discrete criteria now available a large number bones teeth, quantitative approaches have been developed post-cranial elements but not mandible isolated teeth. In this paper we explore the discriminating potential geometric morphometrics modern sheep third lower molar its application on specimens. The size shape 143 specimens (101 42 goats) were quantified using 2D-landmark sliding semi-landmarks morphometric approaches. results that differ terms size, shape, form (i.e. together) both studied elements. Classification accuracy reaches 93.3% (CI: 90.0–95.7%) 62.7% (CI 57.1–68.6%) 95.2% 92.0–97.4%) 84.0% 81.6–86.8%) size. Form does provide better classification than alone. Sex age appear little impact ability differentiate between goat, despite displaying distinct sexual dimorphism changes through age. same methodology was then applied 32 Middle Ages molars from Missignac-Saint Gilles le Vieux, Aimargues, France. identifications obtained only partially congruent with based visual observations calling caution interpretation further investigations. Further research should include molecular identification assess whether can be made confidence all periods geographic areas. Nevertheless, newly protocols represent an contribution toward livestock husbandry