Abstract
Background: In zooarchaeology, reference collections are essential for identifying skeletal remains and for predicting measurements of living animals. To date, the archaeozoological studies in Algeria are still limited and morphometric reference datasets of local breeds are yet to be established. This study aimed to reveal the correlations between measurements of living animals and their skulls.Methods: A total of 30 females of the Ouled Djellal Algerian White Arab breed were analyzed: 15 adults and 15 young adults. Eight external body measurements were taken before slaughter and the live weight was estimated. After slaughter, the heads were collected, meticulously cleaned, weighed and measured. Sixteen craniometric measurements were taken and two indices were calculated.Result: The differences between the mean values of young adults and adults were not statistically significant (p>0.05), except for wither height, naso-dental oblique length (CL31), greatest palatal breadth (CB14), greatest breadth across the premaxillae (CB18) and least height of the occipital (CH5). Young adults have a higher neurocranium and are more massive, whereas adults have a wider viscerocranium. Correlations between cranial and external measurements were partially significant, predominantly in adults. The strongest correlation was observed between the thoracic perimeter and condylobasal length (p<0.0001). These results provide a new reference dataset for archaeozoology.