Question for the anthropologists

[Monolith]

Is it possible to determine the anthropological type of an individual, basing that solely on cranial measurements, or at least to assume it with a certain degree of reliability? I am talking here about medieval populations that may have had less complex morphologies than the contemporary populations.

[Marcus Marulus]

Originally Posted by Monolith

Is it possible to determine the anthropological type of an individual, basing that solely on cranial measurements, or at least to assume it with a certain degree of reliability? I am talking here about medieval populations that may have had less complex morphologies than the contemporary populations.

Why do you think the medieval populations had less complex morphologies than the contemporary populations?

[Monolith]

Originally Posted by Marulus

Why do you think the medieval populations had less complex morphologies than the contemporary populations?

I just assumed that because contemporary populations are much larger and live on much larger territories, which allows them to come in contact and intermix with neighboring, distinct populations. In addition to that, the technology has eliminated the geographical barriers which were responsible for separating various populations, thus eliminating the genetic drift. It doesn't have to be correct though, for I am no expert.

[Agrippa]

Originally Posted by Monolith

Is it possible to determine the anthropological type of an individual, basing that solely on cranial measurements, or at least to assume it with a certain degree of reliability? I am talking here about medieval populations that may have had less complex morphologies than the contemporary populations.

It depends. You can distinguish certain variants from each other easily, whereas its more difficult with others. F.e. its much more difficult to distinguish a typical Nordid from a robust Mediterranid, than from an Alpinoid, Dinarid etc.

[Monolith]

Originally Posted by Agrippa

It depends. You can distinguish certain variants from each other easily, whereas its more difficult with others. F.e. its much more difficult to distinguish a typical Nordid from a robust Mediterranid, than from an Alpinoid, Dinarid etc.

I have attached a study that is now several years old, but I have stumbled upon it only recently. It deals with cranial measurements of the early medieval Croat population and compares the results with other central European and Iranian series. How would you interpret the following results?



A thread that might be of interest: Please classify two skulls

[Agrippa]

I dont have too much time now, so I didnt read the study and just superficially looked at the result, but my first idea would be Irano-Nordoid in the Dienekes scheme, so rather Nordid or robust Mediterranid with other, most likely Cromagnid influences (zy-zy in particular).

[Monolith]

Thank you. There are also pictures of cranium belonging to a member of second, Bijelo Brdo series, which is supposed to be somewhat less robust than the early medieval Croat series. Other members are also welcome to participate.

[Señor Malo]

Originally Posted by Monolith

Thank you. There are also pictures of cranium belonging to a member of second, Bijelo Brdo series, which is supposed to be somewhat less robust than the early medieval Croat series. Other members are also welcome to participate.

I think it looks a cro-magnoid

[Vincent]

Originally Posted by Truth-Finder

I think it looks a cro-magnoid

Are these skulls below in any kind similar to the one Monolith posted? I see similarities, but you are more experienced in this.

[Señor Malo]

Originally Posted by Vincent

Are these skulls below in any kind similar to the one Monolith posted? I see similarities, but you are more experienced in this.

To tell ya the Truth, I'm not very trained with Skull classifications (even with classification of the livings my "training" in quite unachieved)
The skull posted by monolith gives me a cro-magnoid impression.
The second skull, I find similarities as well with the one of Monolith though it seems to me that your sample is more laterally compressed, hence more on the aurignacid spectrum
but one cannot be really sure till upper skull and jaw are not put together or till we have no proper pic of the jaw, as well
(just think that both cro-magnid and aurignacids been of a same caucasoid race, they sure will share some similarities)