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Biological relationships among the Iroquois
1Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996-0720, USA.
Human Biology
|June 1, 1995
Summary
This study used anthropometric data to investigate Iroquoian and Algonquian origins, revealing potential biological distinctions. The Onondaga group shows unique patterns, possibly due to reproductive isolation and nonrandom mating.
Area of Science:
- Physical Anthropology
- Population Genetics
- Bioarchaeology
Background:
- The cultural and linguistic overlap of Iroquoian and Algonquian peoples in the Great Lakes region raises questions about their origins.
- Previous anthropological studies yielded inconclusive results regarding Iroquoian origins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine biological relationships between Iroquoian and Algonquian groups in the lower Great Lakes region.
- To investigate the origins of Iroquoian-speaking peoples using multivariate anthropometric analysis.
Main Methods:
- Multivariate analysis of 12 body and head measurements from 843 individuals across 7 Iroquoian and 4 Algonquian groups.
- Application of biodistances, canonical variate analysis, and a differential gene flow model.
- Phenotypic analysis to identify group distinctions and patterns of gene flow.
Main Results:
- A potential biological distinction was identified between Iroquoian and Algonquian populations.
- The Onondaga exhibit characteristics of an ancestral Iroquoian phenotype and are phenotypic outliers.
- The Onondaga display high phenotypic variance, suggesting external gene flow, nonrandom mating, or reproductive isolation.
Conclusions:
- The study suggests different biological origins for Iroquoians and Algonquians, with gene flow potentially moderating differentiation.
- Onondaga distinctiveness may stem from reproductive isolation and nonrandom mating patterns rather than solely external gene flow.