Anthropology - Skulls Can you see the similarities and differences?

European skullAfrican Skull Are these male or female? List differences due to race

European skullAfrican Skull These are male skulls- notice the square, robust chins and the square orbitals. Also notice the chin cleft and prominent saggital crest/brows. Race differences – notice the tear drop nasal cavity in the European and the more rounded cavity of the African. Also notice the prominent nasal spine in the European. What other characteristic would be helpful but is hard to see at this angle?

List the race differences Are these male or female skulls? Asian skullEuropean skull

These are female skulls! Asian Nasal spine that is somewhat prominent Rounded nasal ridge/guttering Prominent cheek bones European Very prominent nasal spine Sharp nasal ridge/guttering Less prominent

Gender differences – list all the characteristics that could help you identify gender Female skullMale Skull

ANSWERS! Female More rounded orbitals Less Robust chin, round No chin cleft Less prominent brows Go back a slide to the pictures – what race are these skulls? Male More square More robust, square More likely to have cleft More prominent brows

They are both the skulls of Europeans or Caucasoid! Female skullMale Skull

Look carefully – can you determine the race and gender of these skulls? HmmmmmmHmmmmmmm

Are you right? Male African/NegroidFemale Asian/Mongoloid

Children – notice the differences Child monthsChild 3 to 4 years

Growth It takes time for the bony plates in the skull to come together at the joints and take on the “typical” shape of a human skull Even when born, the joints in the skull are not fully fused, nor is the skull fully ossified > “Soft spot”

What other bones (besides the skull) can be used to determine gender? Pelvis humerus femur

Explain what you measure or look for Pelvis - Pubic angle > 90 = female Pubic angle < 90 = male Humerus - maximum length & Diameter of the head Femur - maximum length & Diameter of head

What other bones can you use to determine race? Femur! Test to see if fingers fit under the curvature of the femur

How did you do? Are you able to identify gender and race using the skull, pelvis, femur and humerus? Practice, practice, practice!

References All the pictures of skulls were provided by Bones Clones “Human Skulls”, March 10,