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Craniometry

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The study of human cranial form has a long history in anthropology. Cranial measurement schemes in common usage today trace their origins to the 18th and 19th century in response to the need for more rigorous and objective means of capturing the major dimensions of the cranium and mandible. Traditional craniometric methods center on the capture of linear dimensions between specific points on the skull (landmarks) taken with handheld calipers. In recent decades, geometric morphometric methods have become increasingly popular, whereby shape transformations in entire configurations of landmarks can be quantified and visualized simultaneously. Bioarchaeologists commonly employ craniometric data as a means of carrying out biodistance studies. These studies rely on the premise that human craniometric diversity patterns largely follow a neutral model of evolution, and therefore, craniometric data can be employed as a reliable proxy for neutral genetic data that are typically unavailable in many archaeological contexts.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Encyclopedia of Archaeological Sciences
Subtitle of host publicationVolumes 4
Publisherwiley
Pages1-4
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9781119188230
ISBN (Print)9780470674611
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2018

Keywords

  • Cranial variation
  • landmarks
  • measurement
  • morphometrics

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