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Coherent optical correlation: A new method of cranial comparison
Author(s) -
Scheibengraber Karl J.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.1330510212
Subject(s) - projector , coding (social sciences) , similarity (geometry) , artificial intelligence , computer vision , measure (data warehouse) , computer science , correlation , color coding , mathematics , image (mathematics) , geometry , statistics , data mining
In this paper an analog method known as coherent optical correlation is used to compare photographs of cercopithecine monkey skulls. Each comparison yields a measure of overall similarity in three‐dimensional shape because the photographs are coded to preserve depth information. The coding system involves projecting an array of circular dots onto each specimen with an ordinary 35‐mm slide projector. Photographs of the array taken from one side of the projector make ideal inputs for optical correlation analysis. Preliminary results indicate a reasonable ability to discriminate between different cercopithecine monkey skulls. This finding encourages further development of the proposed method as a shape investigation tool. Possibilities for application exist in many skeletal and somatological problems of form.