Final answer:
Long bones like the femur can be used to estimate both age and stature, while the pelvic structure provides cues for age, and in certain aspects, for stature as well. The skull and ribcage mainly contribute to age estimation, with the skull´s suture fusion being a key indicator.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bones can provide important clues about an individual's age and stature. Long bones, such as the femur, are critical in estimating both age and stature. In children and adolescents, long bones feature growth plates known as epiphyseal plates which can help determine age. Adult stature can be estimated from the length of long bones using mathematical formulas.
The pelvis provides different cues for age and stature. Changes in the pelvis occur throughout life, particularly at puberty and with childbirth in females, making it useful in age estimation. The overall size and geometry of the pelvis can also contribute to stature estimates.
The skull is informative about age through the fusion of sutures which occurs at known intervals over a person's lifetime. Though the skull is not commonly used in stature estimations, in some cases it can contribute to forensic or archaeological reconstructions.
The ribcage is not as directly related to estimating stature but can give age-related information through the examination of the sternal rib end where progressive changes occur with age.