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HEAD FORM VARIATION IN THE WESTERN HIGHLANDS OF PAPUA AND NEW GUINEA
Author(s) -
Watson C. R. R.,
Freedman L.,
Lockett B. G.,
Macintosh N. W. G.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
archaeology and physical anthropology in oceania
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.501
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 1834-4453
pISSN - 0003-8121
DOI - 10.1002/j.1834-4453.1977.tb00260.x
Subject(s) - new guinea , variation (astronomy) , geography , head (geology) , geology , ethnology , paleontology , history , physics , astrophysics
THE 1955–57 Sydney University/Nuffield expedition to the Western Highlands collected physical, serological and cultural data to assess the relative significance of migration patterns and adaptive variation in the differentiation of sub‐populations in this area. Detailed analysis of data on blood groups, stature and cultural variation collected by the expedition has yielded no definitive conclusions regarding microevolution in this area. In the present study 20 head measurements and 14 head indices of 217 individuals from different parts of the region west of Mt. Hagen were compiled and analyzed by multivariate methods. The data from many small population centres were considered in seven groupings based on cultural and linguistic affinities and the presence of geographical barriers. The Penrose shape‐size distance analysis demonstrated usually clear and often striking differences between the seven groups — the variation being in shape rather than in size. The results of the Penrose analysis do not appear to fit directly with either the migration pattern or altitude relationships postulated on the basis of stature variation (Freedman and Macintosh, 1965). The lumping of local populations necessitated by small sample numbers in this study has possibly obscured relationships that were postulated on the stature data. However, the diverse relationships suggested by the head form, stature and blood group analyses may indicate that an interaction of migration, environmental variation and drift has occurred. Genetic drift would clearly be fostered by cultural and geographical factors favouring isolation in this area.