Abstract

MENENDEZ*, Lumila P.  and  SELDES**, Verónica. Morphological variation of human populations on Quebrada de Humahuaca (Jujuy, Argentina). Rev. Mus. Antropol. [online]. 2014, vol.7, n.1, pp.00-00. ISSN 1852-060X.

The aim of this paper was to analyze the craniofacial morphological variation in human samples showing no cultural modifications of the skull, belonging to populations that lived in the Quebrada de Humahuaca during the late Holocene. Shape and size alterations of the facial skeleton and skull base were studied, and the spatial distribution of morphological variables was evaluated. For this purpose, 114 skulls of adult men and women who did not present or showed slightly cultural modifications, from six archaeological sites in the middle section of the creek grade were selected. Forty-one anatomical points were registered in 3-D with a mechanical arm Microscribe G2X. To assess morphological variation an ANOVA as well as principal components and canonical variables. The association between morphology and geographic variation was assessed through a  Procrustes analysis. Results indicate that craniofacial variation differs according to facial skeleton or base. As the biggest change is found on the facial skeleton, morphological variation could be explained as a product of phenotypic plasticity. Also, no relationship between morphological variation and geographic distribution of the samples was found.

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