Non-metric data in skeletal analysis are best described as what?

• A. Qualitative traits scored as present/absent or gradations.
• B. Quantitative measurements.
• C. Skull length measurements.
• D. Bone density via imaging.

Answer: (A)

Non-metric data in skeletal analysis are qualitative features recorded as categories rather than numerical values. In practice, this means noting whether a trait is present or absent or assigning it to a small set of gradations based on morphology, rather than taking precise measurements. These data describe variation in bone features without counting them on a continuous scale, such as the presence of a particular crest, sutural patterns, or the degree of a morphological trait. This stands in contrast to metric data, which are quantitative measurements like skull length or other linear dimensions, and imaging-derived density values. So the best description is qualitative traits scored as present/absent or gradations.