Investigating cranial morphological variation of early human skeletal remains from Chile: A 3D geometric morphometric approach

Kuzminsky, Susan; Reyes, Omar; Arriaza, Bernardo; Méndez, César; Standen, Vivien G.; Román, Manuel San; Muñoz, Iván; Herrera, Ángel Durán; Hübbe, Mark

doi:10.1002/ajpa.23344

Cited by 19 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 73 publications

(102 reference statements)

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“…For this group we used four collections: Semiarid Coast, Chubut, Chonos, and Fueguinos. The Semiarid Coast sample (~4000–3000 BP, 4460–3120 cal BP) is a pool of individuals from three geographically and temporally similar sites from the coastal area of the semiarid north of Chile—La Herradura, Guanaqueros and Punta Teatinos—and who had a diet rich in marine resources [49, 50]. The Chonos sample (~1050-650BP, 1053–563 cal BP) comes from the Guaitecas Archipielago, in Southern Chile, with a diet characterized by marine resources (fish, shellfish and sea lion) [51, 52].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Three-dimensional surface files of most of the sample were created by threshold-based and manual segmentation of medical CTs using the software Avizo v.9.1 (Science Visualization Group, Burlington, USA). The only exception was the sample from the Semiarid Coast, whose surface files were generated during a previous study using a HD NextEngine laser surface scanner [50]. Thirty-eight craniofacial landmarks (Fig 1B and Table 2) were placed at glabella, the orbits, nasal aperture, maxilla, zygomatic and temporal regions with Avizo software.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Normal and altered masticatory load impact on the range of craniofacial shape variation: An analysis of pre-Hispanic and modern populations of the American Southern Cone

et al. 2019

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The reduction of masticatory load intensity resulting from dietary changes in human evolution has been proposed as an important factor that alters craniofacial shape in past and current populations. However, its impact on craniofacial variation and on the perceived differences among populations is unclear. The maxillomandibular relationship, which alters masticatory force direction, is a factor often neglected but it can contribute to variation in craniofacial morphology, particularly among modern/urban populations where the prevalence of dental malocclusions is greater than in prehistoric populations. This study investigates the influence of masticatory load intensity and maxillomandibular relationship as a proxy for force direction on the human craniofacial skeleton. By using 3D imaging and geometric morphometrics, we analyzed craniofacial shape variation among 186 individuals from pre-Hispanic and modern Chilean and Argentinean populations that differ in diet consistency (a proxy for masticatory load intensity) and maxillomandibular relationship. We predicted that masticatory load would have a subtle effect on the upper craniofacial bones and that this would be more marked in the maxilla. Our results showed no clear influence of masticatory load on craniofacial shape, particularly in modern/urban populations. Allometry, on the contrary, shows a stronger effect. The degree of integration between the upper craniofacial bones and the load-bearing maxilla depends on masticatory load intensity, decreasing from high to low but showing a conservative pattern of covariation among the groups. The degree of variation in the shape of the maxilla is greater than the upper craniofacial bones. These results suggest that masticatory load has a limited effect in determining differences in craniofacial morphology among populations. This effect is slightly greater for the maxillary region of the face. We propose that the reduction of functional constraints is key to greater shape variation found in modern/urban populations.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Normal and altered masticatory load impact on the range of craniofacial shape variation: An analysis of pre-Hispanic and modern populations of the American Southern Cone

et al. 2019

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“…Our results suggest that although 3D models may serve as reliable replacements for quantitative assessments (e.g., Galland & Friess, ; Kuzminsky et al, , ), observations that typically involve palpating the skull (e.g., supraorbital margin and nuchal crest) may be more difficult to accomplish in 3D space. Even though 3D models can be turned, oriented in specific positions, and scale adjusted on each model, sizes of features may appear distorted on a screen.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The limited efficacy of 3D models for teaching students sex estimations based on cranial traits: A case for investment in osteology teaching labs

Kuzminsky

Snyder

Tung

2019

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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The use of 3D digital imaging methods has increased within biological anthropology and medical research. Although digital renderings can be easily shared by researchers or used for student learning modules in osteology, limitations to using 3D models exist, requiring institutions of higher learning to invest in real bones or casts of human skeletal remains for labs. Here, we examine whether 3D digital models are viable proxies for real bones by testing the reliability of scoring sexually dimorphic traits of the human skull, a method commonly used by North American skeletal biologists. Forty‐five crania from Peruvian archaeological sites were used to score four sexually dimorphic cranial traits. These morphological traits were scored by one student learning osteology and an experienced researcher using the actual crania and 3D models of the same individuals. Statistical tests of rater agreement and strength of the agreement were conducted. Results showed lower agreement between the actual and 3D scores for the student and higher agreement among the scores for the experienced researcher. Accurate and cost‐effective 3D models can serve as excellent replacements for real skeletal remains when researchers are experienced. However, 3D models may be a less reliable training tool for students learning osteological methods that require palpating areas of the human cranium. This study makes a strong case for purchasing quality casts or real human skeletal remains of legal/ethical origin for osteology teaching labs, despite their higher costs.

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“…The debate surrounding the evolutionary processes shaping the diversi cation of the earliest Native American inhabitants has been ongoing for almost 200 years now [1][2][3]. Signi cant advances in the last few decades have been achieved thanks to several interdisciplinary attempts that provided comprehensive explanations [4][5][6][7][8][9][10], the application of cutting-edge methods that allowed the capture of a larger amount of morphological information [11][12][13][14][15][16], and the extraction, ampli cation, and sequencing of aDNA [17]. Some aspects of the expanding evolutionary process, such as the magnitude of biological variation that characterized the earliest inhabitants have become a relevant matter of discussion, especially in relation to the South American archaeological record [2,7,[11][12][13][14][15][18][19][20][21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early humans in South America: the first direct radiocarbon dating and morphometric study of the Toca dos Coqueiros’ skull (Serra da Capivara, Brazil)

Menéndez

López-Sosa

Silva

et al. 2021

Preprint

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The biological variation of the earliest skeletons of South America has been intensely debated for the last two centuries. One of the major research constraints has been the limited number of available samples dating to the early Holocene. We here present the first direct radiocarbon-date for the early Holocene human skeleton from Toca dos Coqueiros (Serra da Capivara, Brazil), also known as “Zuzu” (8,640+30 BP; 9,526-9,681 cal years BP). We performed craniometric analyses using exclusively samples from Brazil, in order to revisit the sex of the skeleton, and to discuss the evolutionary processes involved in the occupation of the continent. The sex of the individual was estimated as a female when compared to late and early Holocene individuals, but as a male when compared only to the early Holocene series. We also found that Zuzu presents the strongest differences with the late Holocene Guajajara individuals, located nearby, and the strongest similarities with the early Holocene series from Lagoa Santa, attesting for solid biological affinities among early Holocene individuals from Brazil, as well as a moderate level of morphological variation among them. This suggests that the early individuals were part of the same heterogeneous lineage, possibly a different one from which late Holocene populations diverged.

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Investigating cranial morphological variation of early human skeletal remains from Chile: A 3D geometric morphometric approach

Cited by 19 publications

References 73 publications

Normal and altered masticatory load impact on the range of craniofacial shape variation: An analysis of pre-Hispanic and modern populations of the American Southern Cone

Normal and altered masticatory load impact on the range of craniofacial shape variation: An analysis of pre-Hispanic and modern populations of the American Southern Cone

The limited efficacy of 3D models for teaching students sex estimations based on cranial traits: A case for investment in osteology teaching labs

Early humans in South America: the first direct radiocarbon dating and morphometric study of the Toca dos Coqueiros’ skull (Serra da Capivara, Brazil)

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