Indian craniometric variability and affinities.

Area of Science:

• Physical Anthropology
• Bioarchaeology
• Human Evolution

Background:

• Recent craniometric and genetic studies suggest indigenous ancestry for Indian populations.
• Existing research provides a limited scope of Indian craniometrics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive craniometric analysis of Indian populations.
• To investigate Indian craniometric variability, sexual dimorphism, and geographic affinities.
• To further elucidate the indigenous ancestry of Indian populations.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of metrical variability within Indian craniometric series.
• Comparison of northern and southern Indian craniometrics.
• Multivariate analysis of Indian cranial affinities with global populations.
• Calculation of Mahalanobis-D distances for shape-based comparisons.

Main Results:

• A log-linear relationship was observed between variable magnitude and variability, strengthened by data refinement.
• Significant differences in cranial features were found between northern and southern Indians.
• Indians exhibit affinities with northwest

Conclusions:

• The study demonstrates a distinctive South Asian craniometric profile.
• Northern Indians show an intermediate status between southern Indians and northwestern populations.
• Findings confirm the predominantly indigenous ancestry of both northern and southern Indian populations.