Cranial Morphology and Migration Patterns in Prehistoric Populations

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the link between cranial features and the mobility of
prehistoric human populations. The research combines morphometric anthropometric data with
archaeological and genetic data to identify regional variations in skull shapes, which are
hypothesized to correspond with the migration areas of prehistoric human populations. The
methodology utilizes cross-temporal and spatial craniometric comparison with statistical and
spatial modeling, including geographic information systems. Results indicate marked
morphological diversity correlating with significant migratory shifts, illustrating adaption to and
assimilation of genes from other populations. This work demonstrates the importance of skull
morphology in the study of population dynamics and evolutive factors during the prehistorical
period.