A geometric approach to cranial sexual dimorphism in the upper palaeolithic skulls from Predmosti (Upper Palaeolithic, Czech Republic)

Katina, S., Sefcakova, A., Veleminska, J., Bruzek, J. and Veleminsky, P. (2004) A geometric approach to cranial sexual dimorphism in the upper palaeolithic skulls from Predmosti (Upper Palaeolithic, Czech Republic). Journal of the National Museum (Prague), Natural History Series, 173(1-4), pp. 134-144.

Abstract

The recently rediscovered glass plate negatives of unique skeletal fossil material from Předmostí – their estimated ranges from 25–27 000 years but they were destroyed during World War II – were studied by means of geometric morphometrics. The aim of this study was to determine the sexual shape variability of the best preserved skulls of adult individuals, using the methods of statistical shape analysis. While the results roughly support Matiegka’s sex estimation, skull 1 (Matiegka’s female) is more similar to males. The differences between the skulls of the Předmostí specimens are “more striking” in the lateral, frontal and vertical views, whereas the inter-sexual differences affect the non-affine parts of changes in vertical, lateral and basal views in particular. The areas of the metopion, glabella, auriculare, porion, asterion, gnathion and opisthocranion landmarks present more striking variations, i.e. those with more discriminatory power. According to the computations made of the various skull distances, the male skulls are more similar to each other and the female skulls less similar. This suggests possible patrilocal behaviour on the part of the males.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Katina, Dr Stanislav
• Authors: Katina, S., Sefcakova, A., Veleminska, J., Bruzek, J., and Veleminsky, P.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Mathematics and Statistics > Statistics
• Research Group: Statistical Modelling
• Journal Name: Journal of the National Museum (Prague), Natural History Series
• Journal Abbr.: J. Nat. Mus., Nat. Hist. Ser.
• ISSN: 1802-6842
• ISSN (Online): 1802-6850
• Published Online: 01 January 2004