Estimates derived from the sternal rib end morphological and from the cortical rib histological techniques were compared with each other and to the documented ages. Comparisons to the documented ages revealed no statistically significant differences between the techniques. However, a comparison of each individual's estimates shows a poor correlation despite the equal performance of the age estimations on the entire sample. Averaging of the two rib age estimates resulted in an estimate with a stronger Pearson's r and a lower standard error of the estimate. Combining the age- related modeling and remodeling mechanisms described here had the advantage of controlling for more of the variability due to biomechanical influences. The average age estimator was more accurate than either indicator alone. 1 table, 6 figures, and 23 references