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Sagittal suture morphological variation in human archaeological populations.
Olivia Cheronet1, Abigail Ash2, Alexandra Anders3
1Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Anatomical Record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)
|March 27, 2021
Summary
Human sagittal suture complexity is primarily determined by its position along the skull, not by diet or age. Structural aspects are more influential than extrinsic mechanical forces on cranial sutures.
Area of Science:
- Paleoanthropology
- Biomechanics
- Skeletal Biology
Background:
- Cranial sutures are crucial for skull integrity but represent points of mechanical weakness.
- The influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the morphological complexity of cranial sutures is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms shaping human sagittal suture morphology.
- To determine the relative importance of positional, developmental, and dietary factors on suture complexity.
Main Methods:
- Quantified sagittal suture morphology from 107 individuals across Mesolithic to Middle Ages archaeological populations.
- Utilized standardized two-dimensional photographic analysis to assess sutural complexity.
- Examined correlations between suture complexity and factors like age, lifeways, and dietary habits.
Main Results:
- Suture complexity is predominantly influenced by the position along the cranial vault, from anterior to posterior.
- Age and general lifeways exhibited minimal impact on sutural complexity.
- Mesolithic individuals, with tougher diets, showed notably lower sagittal suture complexity.
Conclusions:
- Positional factors along the cranial vault are the primary drivers of human sagittal suture complexity.
- Structural aspects of the suture play a more significant role than extrinsic mechanical forces related to diet.
- The findings highlight the interplay between intrinsic cranial development and extrinsic influences on suture morphology.
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