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Virtual anthropology: the digital evolution in anthropological sciences
G W Weber1, K Schäfer, H Prossinger
1Institute for Anthropology, University of Vienna, Austria. gerhard.weber@univie.ac.at
Summary
Virtual Anthropology (VA) uses computer technology to analyze morphological differences in organisms, providing insights into evolutionary and developmental changes. This method enhances data extraction from fossils and living subjects for anthropological and clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Physical Anthropology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Morphological analysis is crucial for understanding evolutionary and developmental changes in organisms.
- Advances in computer technology since the 1980s have revolutionized anthropological research.
- Traditional methods struggle to access internal anatomical structures in fossils and living subjects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce Virtual Anthropology (VA) as a method for analyzing internal morphological features.
- To highlight VA's capability in accessing 'hidden' landmarks and enhancing Geometric Morphometrics.
- To demonstrate the clinical and research applications of VA in physical anthropology and medicine.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing computer technology to create virtual models from fossilized and in vivo subjects.
- Applying advanced imaging techniques for segmentation and analysis of internal anatomical structures.
- Integrating Geometric Morphometrics and density information for comprehensive data analysis.
Main Results:
- VA enables visualization and measurement of internal anatomical structures, including 'hidden' landmarks.
- The method enhances the power of Geometric Morphometrics by providing access to numerous semilandmarks.
- Density information allows for manipulations like segmentation, which are impossible with physical objects.
Conclusions:
- Virtual Anthropology provides unprecedented access to internal morphological data, crucial for evolutionary and systematic biology.
- VA significantly advances physical anthropology by enabling detailed analysis of ontogenetic and evolutionary changes.
- The interdisciplinary application of VA fosters collaboration between statistics, medicine, and physical anthropology for clinical and research advancements.