First Advisor

Marc R. Feldesman

Date of Publication

1989

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Anthropology

Department

Anthropology

Language

English

Subjects

Human evolution, Multivariate analysis, Anthropology -- Methodology, Human anatomy -- Variation

DOI

10.15760/etd.5755

Physical Description

1 online resource (67 p.)

Abstract

In the past, efforts to prove or disprove stasis in hominids have relied upon univariate tests such as Students's t-test. Severe methodological and interpretive problems arise from the misapplication of univariate statistics to questions concerning variation in shape through time. These are questions best addressed using the multivariate approach of morphometrics. Eighteen cranial dimensions drawn from 33 mid and late Pleistocene Homo sapiens were examined using principal component analysis (PCA). PCA divided the sample into two distinct morphologies. Archaic Homo sapiens of the mid Pleistocene clustered with Wurm I neanderthals and apart from post Gottweig early anatomically modern Homo sapiens. ANOVA and Cluster analysis confirm the groups represent two different morphologies rather than a single spectrum of morphological change. These results support stasis rather than phyletic gradualism during this period of hominid evolution.

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Comments

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Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/21699

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