Abstract: Three anatomical features ( canine fossa, the marginal process of the zygomatic bone and the amount of bulging between the orbit and the pyriform orifice) of 11 ancient Chinese human groups were analyzed using Chi-squared tests in order to identify between-group variation. The results show that for the different ethnic groups, the frequency in the occurrence of the canine fossa in males could be reflected on the differentia of variation. The marginal process of the zygomatic bone could be reflected on the differentia of ethnic groups in some extent. Since the Han Dynasty in a comparative study between / European0 males of Xinjiang and Mongoloid males of northern China, there is a distinct statistical difference in terms of the amount of bulging between the orbit and the pyriform orifice. And yet, the author found a correlation between the obvious appearance of the canine fossa and the amount of bulging between the orbit and pyriform orifice. To explain this correlation and its cause, the author puts forward two hypotheses: 1) when nasal morphology changes, it brings about facial bulging and then the canine fossa develops; 2) with degeneration of the maxilla and canine, a strong canine fossa develops and along with it, facial bulging.

Key words: Skull; Non-metrical traits; Canine fossa; Marginal process of the zygomatic bone; Bulging between orbit and pyriform orifice