Temporal aspects of biological distance: Serial correlation and trend in a prehistoric skeletal lineage

Abstract

A number of previous studies have examined biological variability within individual human skeletal samples, using internal chronology as an explanatory source for variation. In this paper time series and matrix comparison methods are used to examine temporal serial correlation and trend of biological characteristics within a skeletal sample. These methods follow appropriately upon the assumption that the processes of genetic drift and migration lead to temporal autocorrelation of the mean genotype within individual genetic lineages. In the current analysis, using skeletal material from the Pete Klunk Mound Group, temporal serial correlation is demonstrated between samples from different mounds. This indicates that a previous provisional archaeological ordering of the mounds is probably correct. Absence of temporal trend for any of the nonmetric traits examined here suggests a lack of directional evolutionary forces operating on these traits.

An evaluation of non-metric cranial traits used to estimate ancestry in a South African sample

“…Researchers have shown that non-metric trait expression can be attributed to a combination of genetics and environmental influences [15][16][17]. But, no clear consensus is available as to which factor, genetics or environment, is more contributory to the morphological expression of a discrete trait [16].…”

“…Yet, many researchers are unsure about these traits being valid measures in discerning population differences, particularly among admixed groups such as ''Coloured'' South Africans [15][16][17][18].…”

“…In a study on Native Americans associated with the Pete Klunk Mound group, Koningsberg [17] noted that discrete traits did not change in frequency or distribution across temporal groups. The traits were shown to be heritable, but they did not significantly contribute to the biological variation in the population.…”

Craniometric data support a mosaic model of demic and cultural Neolithic diffusion to outlying regions of Europe

“…There is empirical evidence to suggest a positive relationship between temporal and craniometric distance within certain archaeological sites [47], but the exact parameters of an isolation-by-space and time model are currently unclear. Therefore, we follow the methods described by Pinhasi & von Cramon-Taubadel [3] in applying a model of isolationby-geographical distance, with a correction for temporal autocorrelation, via partial Mantel tests.…”

Us and them: archaeology and ethnicity in the Andes

“…Because the two sides of bilateral traits are invariably correlated (Finnegan 1978), it is necessary to combine the data so that each trait is represented only once when performing biodistance analyses. Two basic methods have been suggested for dealing with bilateral traits and their occasional asymmetry: "side-count methods," which involve adding all sides as independent observations (e.g., Johnson and Lovell 1994;Prowse and Lovell 1996), and "individual count methods," in which each trait is only counted once per individual (e.g., Buikstra 1976;Konigsberg 1990;Korey 1970;McGrath, Cheverud, and Buikstra 1984).…”