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The research process of Chinese anthropometry in the past forty years LI Yonglan, YU Huixin, ZHENG Lianbin Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2023, 42 (01): 149-160.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2022.0056 Abstract （982）   HTML （55）    PDF（pc） （653KB）（2687）       Knowledge map    Save Since the 1980s, with the continuous promotion and efforts of Wu Rukang, Wu Xinzhi and Xi Huanjiu, Chinese anthropometry has made great strides and developed rapidly. After being silent for many years, Chinese anthropometry work has been vigorously carried out, and gradually formed many core teams on anthropometry research. In the past 40 years, Chinese anthropometry of the Chinese population has experienced the initial stage (1982-1987), the vigorous development stage (1988-1999), a bottleneck period (2000-2008), and the new leap development stage (2009-2022). Chinese physical anthropologists have conducted a large number of anthropometric work on the physical phenotypes of the ethnic groups in China, and have achieved fruitful results. These achievements have laid a solid base for constructing the Chinese population physique characteristics’ database. Among them, relatively fruitful research results have been achieved in the research directions of the head and facial characteristics, physique characteristics, physical type, somatotype, obesity, human body composition and other research directions. Since 2009, the implementation of two projects, namely the Han nationality physical anthropology research and the physical anthropological phenotypic characteristics survey of all ethnic groups in China, have greatly promoted the anthropometry work in China. In recent years, most researchers have gradually put their main works on the comprehensive studies of the entire language family and language branch, instead of taking a single ethnic group as the research object before. At present, there is still a lack of chinese anthropometric research on the Chinese nation as a whole, and there also a lack of comprehensive research on ethnic groups in a geographical scale (such as the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Tibet-Yi Corridor). In the past, researchers paid more attention to the differences between ethnic groups of Chinese anthropometry, intead of sufficiently exploring the commonalities of physical characteristics among ethnic groups. The commonalities of physical characteristics among ethnic groups are important research aspects that need to be paid attention in the future. From now on, Chinese anthropometric workers must continue to carry out the anthropometric work of the Chinese people, to use the big data of physical characteristics to carry out more comprehensive research in various fields of anthropometry. At the same time, Chinese anthropometric workers need to initially establish the Chinese population physique characteristics database, so that the Chinese physique characteristics’ data could be used in all sectors such as the national economy and medical hygiene, and play a greater role in the future. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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An overview of human nasal morphology LI Haijun, YAO Xuechun, WENG Minjie, YANG Xiaoyu Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2024, 43 (04): 687-700.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0041 Abstract （1182）   HTML （104）    PDF（pc） （1229KB）（2499）       Knowledge map    Save The nose, as a key point of human facial morphology, exhibits distinctive features for individual appearance and possesses vital physiological functions simultaneously. Specifically, the size and shape of the nose, as well as the proportional relationship between the nose and the face, are crucial factors in facial aesthetics. Moreover, it is also one of the important indicators of ethnographic classification in some studies. Additionally, the nose plays a very significant role during human breathing as it can guide the airflow, alter the airflow resistance, regulate the body’s water loss, and maintain the heat balance. Current research on nasal morphological variation, both domestic and international, mainly encompasses the following various aspects of nasal morphology: 1) Sex- and age-related differences in nasal morphological variation. Generally, males have larger noses than females, especially in terms of nose width, length, and height. However, nasal angle measurements of men, such as the nasofrontal angle, nasal tip angle, nasolabial angle, and alar slope angle, are smaller than those of women. The distribution of nostril shape also varies significantly between men and women. Regarding age difference, there is a critical period for nose growth in adolescence, approximately from age 9 to 14. 2) Nasal morphological differences of the human nose among various ethnic groups. One of the most notable distinctions is the nostril shape. Essentially, Caucasian people have leptorrhine nostril shape, with larger nose height and smaller width; African people have platyrrhine shape, with smaller nose height and larger width; while Asians have mesorrhine shape with medium nose height and width. 3) Factors that affect nasal morphological variation, such as the head size, climate and environment, genetic factors and inheritance, and so forth; 4) Measurement of nasal morphological parameters, including facial landmarks and measurement methodology, both traditional and developed methods. 5) Related applications of nasal morphology, including those in the fields of disease diagnosis, medical orthopedics, personal identification, forensic investigation, and so on.===By summarizing and understanding the research data and conclusions of related existing literature, this paper provides a brief overview of the nasal morphology-related studies and methods of the measurement of nasal morphology. Firstly, it describes the nasal morphological variation between men and women. Secondly, it demonstrates the nose growth difference during different age periods. Thirdly, it compares the nasal morphological differences among ethnicities. Fourthly, it emulates multiple factors that may affect nasal morphology. Fifthly, it introduces the basic nasal morphological parameters and methods. Finally, it gives a review and prospect of the domestic research on nasal morphology. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Overview and prospects of research on human cranial thickness LI Haijun, YANG Xiaoyu, ZHAO Yujie Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2023, 42 (06): 827-841.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2023.0068 Abstract （1258）   HTML （143）    PDF（pc） （3063KB）（2119）       Knowledge map    Save The cranium is the most studied and utilized human skeletal material in physical anthropology. Cranial vault thickness is the distance from the inner surface of the skull to the outside of the skull, and is one of the measured characteristics of the skull. It is of great importance in the study of physical anthropology. At present, the researches on cranial thickness have focused on: age-related and era-related changes, population and gender differences, factors influencing cranial thickness, the effect of skull thickness on the mechanical properties of the skull. The above researches on various aspects of cranial thickness have investigated differences in cranial thickness in different human populations and better understood the factors that contribute to these differences, delving deeper and dispersing the relevant research, and providing a more comprehensive understanding of human cranial variation and evolution. In the field of medicine, the study of the distribution characteristics of cranial bone thickness and the differences between sexes, ages, and populations can help to improve the correct rate of clinical diagnosis of brain diseases and the success rate of surgery. In the field of forensic anthropology, the thickness characteristics of even fragmented skulls can still provide important information for identification. In the field of archaeology, the distribution characteristics and abnormal changes of cranial thickness can help analyze the type characteristics of deformed crania, the way of applying force and related tools, and provide a basis for the study of social phenomena, cultural behaviors, social relations and other issues. China’s attention to cranial thickness is relatively late, with fewer thematic studies and a lack of more in-depth research. However, the large number of cranial remains unearthed in China, with a large age span and a wide range of distribution, provide great basic conditions for various studies on cranial thickness. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into population-specific cranial thickness variations and their potential underlying factors. The findings highlight the complex interplay between genetics, environment, and socio-cultural factors in shaping cranial morphology. Understanding these variations has important implications for forensic anthropology, population genetics, and evolutionary biology. This paper briefly reviews the research on cranial vault thickness variation and the measurement methods of cranial thickness-related parameters by summarizing the research data. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Ancient genomes reveal the complex genetic history of Prehistoric Eurasian modern humans ZHANG Ming, PING Wanjing, YANG Melinda Anna, FU Qiaomei Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2023, 42 (03): 412-421.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2023.0010 Abstract （2682）   HTML （274）    PDF（pc） （1917KB）（1894）       Knowledge map    Save Significant shifts in human populations occurred several times throughout history, as populations dispersed throughout Eurasia about 50 kaBP. During the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), global temperatures dropped sharply causing environmental deterioration and population turnover in areas. After the LGM, populations increased as the natural environment stabilized and gradually developed into today’s populations. With advancements in ancient DNA extraction and sequencing technology, it is increasingly possible to directly retrieve genome-wide data from prehistoric modern human remains. The rapid emergence of new ancient genomes provides an entirely new direction for studying modern human population structure and evolutionary history. This research on Eurasian populations spanning 45~19 kaBP (pre-LGM) and 19~10 kaBP (post-LGM) summarizes the movement and interaction of prehistoric modern human populations, focusing especially on prehistoric East Eurasia, a region that has been less well-studied genetically. Of at least six distinct populations in Eurasia, three did not contribute substantial ancestry to present-day populations: Ust’-Ishim (≈45 kaBP) from northwestern Siberia; Oase 1 (≈40 kaBP) from Romania; and Zlatý kůň (over 45 kaBP) from Czechia. One population represented by three individuals (4.6~4.3 kaBP, from Bacho Kiro Cave, Bulgaria) seemed to contribute at least a partial genetic component to later some Eurasian populations. One population represented by Tianyuan man (≈40 kaBP, from East Asia) was shown to be more similar to present-day East Asians and Native Americans than to present-day or ancient Europeans. One population represented by Kostenki 14 (≈36 kaBP, from western Siberia) and Goyet Q116-1 (≈35 kaBP, from Belgium) was more closely related to Europeans than to other Eurasians. This work also summarized five representative populations after 40 kaBP and before the end of the LGM. In East Eurasia after the LGM (or since 14 kaBP), population histories played out very differently. For instance, high genetic continuity is observed in the Amur region in the last 14 kaBP, while in the Guangxi region of southern China, an ancient population that lived 10.5 kaBP carried ancestry not represented in any present-day humans. To conclude, comparison of genome-wide ancient DNA from multiple prehistoric humans have illustrated a complex genetic history of prehistoric Eurasian modern humans. In the future, additional ancient genomes will provide more evidence and details to illuminate the complex genetic history of modern humans. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Discovery, cognition and theoretical exploration of the human evolution studies in China since the begining of 21st century LIU Wu Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2024, 43 (06): 881-899.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0085 Abstract （1349）   HTML （291）    PDF（pc） （603KB）（1770）       Knowledge map    Save Starting in the early 20th century, the human evolution studies in China have experienced more than one hundred years. Since beginning of the 21st century, impressive advances have been achieved on the human evolution studies in China. Except for discovering abundant hominin fossils, a series of field work and lab studies have been conducted in Paleolithic archaeology, chronology, and ancient DNA and protein, which indicate the human evolution studies in China have become a wide range of multidisciplinary research. Among these advances, the discoveries of hominin fossils and related studies in the past twenty years are most important, which mainly touched the issues of modern human origin and late Middle Pleistocene hominin evolution in East Asia. The discovery of Late Pleistocene hominin fossils in Tianyuandong with AMS 14C dating put the emergence of early modern human in East Asia 40 kaBP which made the studies of modern human origin in China under more accurate dating frame. The subsequent hominin fossil discoveries from Huanglongdong, Zhirendong, Lunadong and Daoxian from the Late Pleistocene further made the appearing time of the modern humans in China as early as 80 to 120 kaBP. Since 21st century, the discoveries of the late Middle Pleistocene hominin fossils from Penghu, Xuchang, Hualongdong, Xiahe and Harbin greatly enrich the hominin fossil records in China and provide important information for the research into human evolution in East Asia. During this period, studies on these newly discovered and other late Middle Pleistocene hominin fossils including Dali, Jinniushan, Xujiayao, Maba and Tongzi have been conducted with most impressive finding that the fossil morphology and evolutionary patterns of the late Middle Pleistocene hominins exhibit very complicated diversities. The morphologies of these fossils are characterized by both derived and archaic features. Some of the fossils exhibit similar or even the same morphological features as in modern humans but others still keep more archaic features. Such a finding suggests the transition from archaic to modern morphology occurred as early as 300 kaBP or emergence of modern humans in China may be much earlier than previously believed. The late Middle Pleistocene hominins living in different regions of China do not have the equal contribution to the formation of modern humans. Simply classifying all the hominins of this time period into archaic Homo sapiens cannot accurately reflect the evolutionary patterns of late Middle Pleistocene hominins in China. As the research of multidisciplinary approaches, the studies of different fields in human evolution have also been conducted in the past twenty years. The present author believes that four studies represent the most important advances in Paleolithic archaeology in China. These studies touched the issues of Middle Pleistocene Acheulean-like stone technology in China, the earliest human occupation in Tibetan Plateau by 40 kaBP to 30 kaBP, the late Middle Pleistocene Levallois stone-tool technology in China and modern human behaviors of ochre processing and tool use in China 40 kaBP. The dating the hominin fossil on the stone tool sites of Xiaochangliang and Majuangou in Nihewan Basin, Shangchen in Lantian updated the opinion of the earliest time for hominin arrival to Northeast Asia and East Asia 1.66 MaBP and 2.13 MaBP respectively. The studies on fossil taphonomy, ancient DNA and ancient protein have also been carried out. A series of new discoveries and understanding have been achieved from these works, and academic explorations on some key issues on the human evolution in China have also been discussed. In this paper, centered on the hominin fossil discovery and research, important advances on the human evolution in China are reviewed and key issues discussed. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Head and facial features of populations in different geographical regions of China LI Yonglan, YU Huixin, ZHANG Xinghua, YU Keli, BAO Jinping, ZHENG Lianbin Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2023, 42 (06): 793-806.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2023.0048 Abstract （2741）   HTML （256）    PDF（pc） （1482KB）（1700）       Knowledge map    Save A total of 18 head-face parameters of 45254 Chinese adults (19892 males and 25362 females) have been measured in recent years. The data were statistically analyzed by geographical division and principal component analysis was performed. The males of Northeast and North China have longer ears, closer extraocular angle, narrower noses, and wider heads and faces. Southern China population have shorter ears, wider eyes and noses, narrower heads and faces. The females of Northeast and North China have higher and wider faces, larger eye distances and longer ears. The females of South and Southwest China have lower and narrower faces, closer eye distances and shorter ears. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were conducted on the head-face data of Chinese and foreign populations, and it was found that the head-face characteristics of Chinese were relatively close to those of Caucasian Persians and North American whites, with a large gap between them and African Americans, as well as between them and South Asian population. The physiognomic ear length，interocular breadth, nose breadth, head breadth and morphological facial height of Chinese males are mostly smaller than the four populations of the Negro race, and the morphological facial height of them is mostly smaller than the Persians of the Caucasian race. The nose breadth and mouth breadth of Chinese females are smaller than those of African Americans, and the physiognomic facial height, interocular breadth and face breadth of them are greater than those of North American whites and Iranians. The commonality of head and facial features of geographical regions populations is related to long-term fusion and similar genetic structures among populations, and environmental factors are the important reasons for their differences. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Philosophical issues in the study of human origins Ni Xijun Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2023, 42 (06): 709-720.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2023.0072 Abstract （1344）   HTML （174）    PDF（pc） （640KB）（1560）       Knowledge map    Save The question of human origins is one of the ultimate questions of human existence, and the study of human origins touches on many philosophical issues. Based on recent advances in paleoanthropology and biology, this paper briefly reviews the history of human origins and evolution, and discusses philosophical issues such as the nature of being, the purpose and meaning of human existence, divine creation and evolution, the driving force of human origins and evolution, the nature and role of labor, and contingency and necessity. Counting from the origin of primates, human evolution has a history of at least 56 million years, or 7-8 million years if we count from the human-ape divergence in the sense of evolutionary biology. As a class of biological organisms and the bearer of the subjective world, the nature of being has always been a very complex subject, and it is even impossible for most people to have a recognized answer. From a biological point of view, human existence is essentially the existence of nature. Human beings are a part of the nature and greatly influence the existence of the nature. The characteristics of human beings that distinguish them from primates are the essential characteristics of human beings in the biological sense. In the study of human origins, the question of the nature of being should be examined from different angles of the various sub-disciplines of biology. The purpose and meaning of human existence at the philosophical level are not scientific questions, and the test standards of scientific research can not be applied to it. If human existence has a purpose and meaning, then that purpose and meaning is “existence”. Although traditional creationism is no longer a major part of the human knowledge system, the ideas represented by intelligent design still attempt to answer the questions of whether or not supernatural forces and intelligent things exist, and why they exist. As a living creature, the origin and development of human beings are not fundamentally different from those of other living creatures, and the driving force of human evolution is the result of a combination of intrinsic genetic factors and extrinsic environmental factors. There have been heated discussions about the role of “labor” in the origin and evolution of human beings, but from the empirical evidence of modern paleontology, archaeology, zoology, behavior, ecology, and other disciplines, it is impossible to give an accurate definition of “labor”. It can be argued that human labor itself is a state of behavior exhibited by humans in the process of survival and reproduction. The accumulation of contingent events is recorded, that is, the process of obtaining a quantitative change, and when the quantitative change accumulates to a level where order and hierarchy can be recognized, the change can be defined as qualitative change. Qualitative change in human evolution also occurs when the accumulation of countless contingent changes reaches a definable level. Self-awareness and thinking are not unique to humans. The development of complex systems in the universe with the ability to think is a necessity of material development, but the exact form in which it appears in things is controlled by chance. Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Distribution of sexual stature dimorphism in modern Chinese populations and its influencing factors DU Baopu, YIN Yuzhe, TAN Yi, ZHANG Yuge, FAN Bo, YAO Zhizheng, GUO Hang Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2023, 42 (02): 191-200.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2022.0048 Abstract （3050）   HTML （435）    PDF（pc） （1434KB）（1526）       Knowledge map    Save Sexual size dimorphism is the commonest form of sexual dimorphism, associated with growth patterns, mortality and food availability, which has become a hot topic of common concern in recent biological anthropology. In all living human populations, males usually show a larger body size than females. Over the last 40 years, many scholars have reported numerous anthropometric data sources on stature for modern Chinese, but little attention has been directed to the sexual dimorphism variability. In addition, what factors governing the inter-populations variation in SSD are still not clearly understood. The present study aimed to describe the variability in sexual stature dimorphism for modern human populations in China, and reassessed whether the geo-climatic factors and body size are associated with variation in sexual starure dimorphism. Data on sex-specific anthropometry (mean stature) was obtained from 152 modern Chinese populations, including 69 Han and 83 minority nationalities. The sexual dimorphism index was compared to assess difference in four groups (Southern Han, Northern Han, Southern Minority and Northern Minority). The latitude, climatic variables, body size and urban-rural environment were tested for their association with the sexual dimorphism. The results showed that males are about 7.16% (ranged 4.72%~9.26%) taller than females. The distribution of SDI are resemble between the Southern Han and Southern minority, the Northern Han and Northern minority, the Southern Han and Northern Han. Moreover the Southern minority displayed lower sexual dimorphism compared with the Northern minority. The latitude, annual temperature range and annual average wind speed are positively associated with sexual starure dimorphism, while the annual average temperature, annual average precipitation and annual average relative humidity are negatively associated with sexual starure dimorphism. In addition, this study found no significant allometric relationship between male and female stature agreed with the Rensch’s rule, may be related to the sexual selection perference favours other social compents rather than stature. It also reveals no significant difference in sexual stature dimorphism between urban and rural Han populations, inconsistent with female buffering hypothesis, reflecting poor diet and hard physical labor have less negative impact on the boys’ physical growth. Genetic component and natural environmental factors are the dominant determinant of the regionalization distribution in sexual stature dimorphism, while the social environmental factors do not exert a strong influence in the degree of sexual dimorphism. Although the samples are limited by individuals of different ages, it still helps us to insight the geographical distribution of sexual stature dimorphism in modern Chinese. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Morphological variation in the circum-nasal region of modern human LIU Wu, HE Jianing, YAN Yi, ZHANG Ziliang, CHEN Yiying, WU Xiujie Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2023, 42 (04): 445-457.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2023.0029 Abstract （1071）   HTML （261）    PDF（pc） （4659KB）（1434）       Knowledge map    Save Morphologies of the circum-nasal region in modern human populations exhibit different patterns and are closely related to climate and environment. However, the full scope of morphological variation is unclear, especially given the lack of well-defined standards, including homologous landmarks for morphological data collection and analysis of this region. In this study, 154 crania of Caucasian, African and North Chinese populations were observed and measured. Results revealed pronounced population-specific patterns in morphologies of the circum-nasal region. The African population was characterized by a low and broad piriform aperture with a blunt margin, weak anterior nasal spine, and a pronounced sub-nasal fossa. In contrast, the nasal region of the Caucasian population was characterized by a high and narrow piriform aperture with a sharp margin, a well-developed anterior nasal spine, and a weak or absent sub-nasal fossa. The pattern characterizing the North Chinese population was intermediate between the Caucasian and African populations, but more closely resembled the Caucasian in trait-by-trait expressions. Previous studies have found that piriform aperture morphology in various modern human populations from the past 10,000 years exhibits chronological changes and inter-population differences. For example, it is noteworthy that Neolithic populations from the middle Yellow River regions exhibit a broad piriform aperture. Due to the lack of comprehensive information during data collection and analysis, many aspects of the morphological pattern and extent of variation in the circum-nasal region from present-day Chinese are still not clear. Future investigation of the morphological patterns characterizing the circum-nasal region of Holocene populations found in China will provide essential context for understanding the formation and diversification of modern human populations in East Asia. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Review and perspective of the ninety years in quest of Gigantopithecus blacki ZHANG Yingqi Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2024, 43 (06): 1006-1026.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0094 Abstract （921）   HTML （81）    PDF（pc） （681KB）（1388）       Knowledge map    Save It’s been 90 years since the initial discovery of Gigantopithecus blacki, however, the hypodigm is still limited to 4 incomplete lower jaws and nearly 2000 isolated teeth recovered from 19 karst cave sites. Scientists have investigated various aspects of this giant ape including phylogeny, evolutionary trends, body mass and stature, ecology, diet, extinction, etc. based on the fossil material and the geological information of these sites. As a result, the mystery surrounding this hominid has been unveiled to the fullest possible extent. Although the current consensus takes G. blacki as a terminal member of the Sivapithecus-Indopithecus clade in Ponginae, it still needs to be tested by stronger fossil evidence such as the cranial or facial morphology. It has been inferred that G. blacki should be a ground-dwelling quadruped based on its body mass and stature. This also needs to be tested by the postcranial morphology, especially that of the limb bones. The early studies of G. blackiinvolved Peking Man in many ways. It was even considered as the direct ancestor of the human lineage by Weidenreichi. To commemorate the 95th anniversary of the discovery of the first skullcap of Peking Man, the research history as well as the known and the unknown of G. blacki is systematically reviewed in this paper. Moreover, prospect of addressing related problems that recently emerge in the quest of G. blackiis discussed, such as the identity of the “mystery ape”, the Pliocene gap lying in the fossil record of southern China. These issues are critical to understand the potential early Homo’s migration into China. It is worth mentioning that the academic community still considered Asia as the cradle of humankind until 1980s. It was the discovery of so many Pliocene to Early Pleistocene Australopithecus and early Homofossils in Africa since 1950s that led to the paradigm shift concerning where the hominin clade first arose. Unfortunately, the “mystery ape” from the karst region of southern China is still mysterious. We don’t know whether it should be placed on the pongine side or the hominin side of the family tree of great apes based on the current fossil evidence. And in marked contrast to the abundant late Pliocene fossils of australopiths in Africa, the Pliocene fossil record of mammals, especially that of hominids, is completely blank. Although most of the karst region in southern China has not been systematically surveyed yet, recent fieldwork in Guangxi and the Three Gorges region has shown considerable potential to address these issues. It is expected that groundbreaking discoveries can be made in southern China in the future, and therefore not only better fossil material for G. blacki and the “mystery ape” can be recovered, but also Chinese or even Asian elements can be contributed to the paradigm concerning the evolution of early Homo. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Analysis methods on Paleolithic age archaeological remains of ochre using XU Jingwen, HUAN Faxiang, YANG Shixia Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2024, 43 (02): 331-343.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2023.0061 Abstract （940）   HTML （86）    PDF（pc） （2023KB）（1353）       Knowledge map    Save Ochre is one of the most common mineral pigments in archaeological studies. The current archaeological evidence suggests that the use of ochre became more common since 100 ka years ago, which was important for human adaptation to the more drastic environmental changes and the continuous interaction of social culture network. Recently, more and more archaeological remains related to ochre-using have been unearthed and identified in China, however, the research work needs to be further developed. Therefore, how to make comprehensive use of various test schemes to deeply explore the development pattern and ethnological significance of human behavior indicated by the ochre pigment needs us to make a systematic summary. In this paper, referring to the international studies in the fields of archaeology, geophysics and chemistry, ethnology and so on, we concluded the main parts of paleolithic age archaeological ochre analysis asthe qualitative chemical composition, analysis of provenance, and operational technology. The multidisciplinary comprehensive analysis on archaeological remains of ochre using is a potential research field, hitherto, the examples of domestic ochre using is still limited. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Discovery and study of artificial deformation in ancient Chinese human remains LI Haijun, LIU Liming, ZHANG Yidan, XIAO Xiaoyong Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2023, 42 (04): 540-553.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2023.0016 Abstract （820）   HTML （89）    PDF（pc） （2422KB）（1346）       Knowledge map    Save Through the study of artificial deformation of ancient ancestral remains, it is not only helpful to understand past cultural customs, aesthetic orientation and ancient medical treatment and technological abilities, but also beneficial to infer possible organizational structure and hierarchical differentiation of past society. Studying the origin and spread of various artificial deformations can also be helpful to reveal cultural exchanges and differences between regions and ethnic groups. At present, there are several types of artificial deformation discovered in China, such as cranial perforations, intentional cranial modification, mouth-plugging practices, artificial modification of teeth, foot binding, etc. However, these kinds of artificial deformation lack a general summary, and suffer from various inetrpretations such as origin, purpose and meaning of artificial deformations. This paper attempts to systematically sort relevant cases of artificial deformation, summarizing main types, and analyzing characteristics including spatial and temporal distribution, sex and age distribution, and tools and methods used in artificial deformation activities. This paper also summarizes specific debates such as purpose and meaning of cranial perforations; whether cranial trepanation existed in prehistory; meanings and relationships of intentional cranial modifications; purpose and meaning of mouth-plugging practice, reasons for Neolithic tooth extraction; and origins of foot binding. Furthermore, this paper uses specific cases to analyze and explain the value of ethnological perspectives and methods in the study of artificial deformation, affirming its important role. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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The study progress of the morphological variation of human orolabial region LI Haijun, WENG Minjie, DUAN Wanqi, LIU Liming Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2023, 42 (01): 137-148.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2022.0016 Abstract （1301）   HTML （57）    PDF（pc） （1326KB）（1312）       Knowledge map    Save The orolabial region is one of the most important anatomical structures of the human face, closely connected to the skin around the oral cavity, and has important physiological functions. The lips protect the oral cavity from the penetration of external substances, and maintain the humidity and temperature inside the oral cavity, and aid to chew. At the same time, the orolabial region is also one of the main parts of cosmetic surgery, and lip wrinkles have an important identification value in forensic physical evidence research. In addition, the orolabial region is one of the main objects of study in the fields of archaeology, anthropology, and medicine. In the field of anthropology, both the skeletal and soft tissue morphology of the orolabial region are important materials for the study of the characteristics of different ethnic groups. In the field of medicine, the study of orolabial morphology can provide a more accurate basis for the treatment of orolabial diseases and the individualization of plastic surgery. With the development of science and technology, research on orolabial morphology in different fields at home and abroad has used a variety of research techniques and methods and involved multiple aspects, forming a diverse range of research results, providing a basis for the establishment of a quantitative database on the orolabial region of the population in the future. Current research on orolabial morphology includes the following aspects: 1) The manifest characteristics of sex differences in orolabial morphological variation, and their association with nasal width; 2) Age differences in morphological variation of the orolabial region, and their age-related sex comparisons; 3) Ethnic differences in morphological variation of the orolabial region; 4) Factors influencing the morphological variation of the orolabial region, including genetics, dietary structure, tooth and jaw morphology, and breathing patterns; 5) Applications related to the study of the morphology of the orolabial region, including medical aspects such as cheilopalatognathus, orthodontics, lip plastic surgery, etc., personal identification through lip prints and lip shapes, and applications in the field of forensic criminal investigation such as reconstruction of the deceased’s appearance. There are relatively few studies on the morphology of the orolabial region in China, especially the lack of more systematic studies on the growth and development of the morphology and variation of the orolabial region. In this paper, we examined the research results on orolabial morphology at home and abroad, sorted out and summarized the research data and conclusions in the related literature, gave a brief overview of the research on orolabial morphology according to certain research directions, and made a brief review and outlook on the research on orolabial growth and development and morphological variation in China. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Morphology and influencing factors of Chinese foot binding bones LI Haijun, YANG Xiaoyu, XIAO Xiaoyong Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2024, 43 (03): 488-501.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0027 Abstract （1752）   HTML （254）    PDF（pc） （7320KB）（1273）       Knowledge map    Save Foot is an important organ that supports human movement and its shape is influenced by factors such as age, gender, movement patterns, and some specific cultural practices. Foot-binding, as a kind of artificial foot deformation behavior unique to the ancient feudal society of China, has continued for a long time in the history of China, reflecting the social life and status of women in ancient times. Studies of variation in foot morphology due to foot-binding mainly include the followings below: Skeletal variation in foot-binding, changing times, geographical differences and pathological phenomena caused by foot-binding, and the influence of age, duration, and sociocultural factors on skeletal morphological variation in foot-binding. Foot-binding has caused great harm to women's physical and mental health, but as a historical and social phenomenon, it reflects the cultural, aesthetic and ethical concepts as well as changes in the status of women in ancient Chinese society. In the field of medicine, analysing the pathologies caused by footbinding can improve the study of bone and joint disorders of the foot and reveal the impact of footbinding on women’s health and quality of life. In the field of history, the study of footbinding is conducive to restoring the history of women’s footbinding and women’s life in ancient China, which can further reveal the picture of the life of the whole ancient society. In the field of archaeology, knowledge of the morphological characteristics of entangled foot bones facilitates the study of skeletal and gender archaeology Overall, this article provides a brief overview of foot-binding research and the measurement of relevant parameters of the foot skeleton by reviewing and summing up data and findings from the relevant literature. And it also provides a brief review and outlook on domestic foot-binding research. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Pathological analysis of a case of human humeral asymmetry in Eastern Zhou Dynasty ZHOU Yawei, WANG Hui, DING Sicong, CHEN Bo Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2023, 42 (01): 87-97.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2022.0045 Abstract （985）   HTML （55）    PDF（pc） （1763KB）（1242）       Knowledge map    Save This study made an pathological analysis of an archaeological case example of human unilateral humeral hypoplasia from the Eastern Zhou Dynasty(770-221 BC) Guanzhuang site, located in Xingyang City, Henan Province, central China. Individual M45, a female (according to the morphology of the os coxa and skull, and long bones) aged approximately 30 years old at her time-of-death, presents severe abnormal morphological changes on the right humerus. From a macro perspective, abnormal shortening, flatter humeral head, higher anatomical neck, and lesser tubercle displaced anterior-distally were observed on the right humerus. Radiographic analysis showed that wider bone marrow cavity diameter and slight osteoporosis in the region of the deltoid tuberosity, and the cancellous bone at the trochanter of the right deltoid is more pronounced than on the left one, showing a honeycomb shape. In addition, bone defect was found at the region of the deltoid tuberosity and also below the anatomical neck. The asymmetric development of upper limb bones, including the humerus, is generally attributed to physiological or pathological induced bone remodeling. Physiological causes include genetic and behavioral factors. The asymmetry caused by physiological genetic factors does not affect the normal development of bone, and the degree of asymmetry is relatively low, in the range of 1% or less. Behavioral factors are mainly related to activities and bone loading patterns, including occupation, habitual activities, etc. The difference between two humerus caused by behavioral factors is reflected in the difference of the cross-section and the strength of the two humerus, most of which are transverse differences. Differential diagnosis was made in this study, including metabolic diseases, endocrine diseases, focal fibrocartilage hypoplasia, metaphyseal cartilage hypoplasia, Kashin Beck disease, osteogenesis imperfecta, humeral shortening and cartilage hypoplasia. According to the analysis, it is more likely that the humeral asymmetry found in M45 has affected the proximal growth centre of the right humerus, possibly linked to childbirth trauma, or the cessation of humeral growth and development caused by trauma to the growth plate in early childhood. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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A study overview on tooth wear in ancient populations LI Haijun, ZENG Yuxin, ADILIJIANG Waili, NUERMAIMAITI Kadier, ZHANG Hailong, LI Wenying Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2025, 44 (02): 333-351.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0081 Abstract （1079）   HTML （60）    PDF（pc） （9126KB）（1207）       Knowledge map    Save Tooth wear is closely related to human subsistence activities and is a common physiological phenomenon observed on human remains excavated from archaeological sites. It possesses significant research value in fields such as physical anthropology and archaeology. Currently, numerous scholars both at home and abroad have conducted research on tooth wear in ancient populations, yielding a wealth of findings. However, a systematic review is still lacking. This paper reviews and summarizes the common types and influencing factors of tooth wear in ancient inhabitants based on relevant research results from both domestic and international sources. Macroscopically, tooth wear can present morphologically as flat, oblique, rounded, spoon-shaped, cup-shaped, and groove wear. Microscopically, it can be further classified into striations and pits. Factors influencing tooth wear include age, food structure, food processing techniques, socioeconomic types, and specific human behavioral patterns that may lead to distinctive wear phenomena. Moreover, factors such as chewing methods, chewing frequency, occlusal relationships between the upper and lower jaws, and the developmental status of teeth also affect tooth wear to a certain extent. Research on tooth wear can be applied to infer the individual age at death, explore the dietary structure and socioeconomic patterns of ancient populations, elucidate ancient labor behaviors and social division of labor, reconstruct the patterns of weaning and feeding in children, as well as the functional restoration of occlusal relationships between the upper and lower dental arches. Based on differences in research purposes and subjects, the academic community has proposed specialized observation methods and grading standards for evaluating the degree of tooth wear. Nevertheless, there is currently no unified grading method or standard for tooth wear. Overall, exploring the dietary conditions and subsistence patterns of ancient populations from different archaeological sites in China through tooth wear is a major research focus of ancient human tooth wear studies in China. Significant research achievements have revealed the dietary conditions and subsistence patterns of populations from various archaeological sites. In terms of time, these sites are mainly concentrated from the Neolithic Age to the early Iron Age. Geographically, research on tooth wear in ancient Chinese populations is mainly distributed in the Central Plains and the northwestern border regions of China, with relatively fewer studies in the southern regions. Compared with international research, domestic studies on ancient human tooth wear still face limitations such as narrow research perspectives, lack diversity in research focus and homogeneous content. Future research could benefit from innovations in research fields, ideas, and methods to fill the gaps and achieve further progress. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Human adaptive behaviors during the Middle Pleistocene Climatic Transition in the Nihewan Basin PEI Shuwen, XU Zhe, YE Zhi, MA Dongdong, JIA Zhenxiu Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2024, 43 (01): 19-39.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2023.0076 Abstract （901）   HTML （116）    PDF（pc） （6277KB）（1158）       Knowledge map    Save The relationship between hominin evolution, technological developments, and environmental change has always been at the frontier of academic attention. The mid-Pleistocene Climate Transition (MPT) where the cycle, frequency and amplitude of climate change alters, occurred between 1.25 and 0.7 MaBP. This critical period promoted an initial migration wave of Homo erectus (Out of Africa I) and accelerated the spread of Homo erectus(equipped with Acheulean technology) to Eurasia from Africa. According to recent studies, the spread of Homo erectus taking Oldowan toolkits to middle/high latitudes of East Asia can be traced back to 2.12 MaBP. Around 1.66 MaBP, humans occupied the Nihewan Basin, leaving behind abundant and dense Paleolithic archaeological sites showing clear diverse and flexible adaptive behavioral characteristics. This paper presents a preliminary study between environmental change and human survival behaviors of several important sites (Feiliang, Madigou, Cenjiawan, and Dongutuo, etc.) during the MPT from the Cenjiawan platform in the eastern part of the Nihewan Basin. Raw material procurement and exploration strategies indicate that local materials were adopted by early humans in the Cenjiawan platform. Exploration of different raw materials from sites depended on the distance from the raw material source instead of being directly influenced by environmental fluctuations. Freehand direct hard hammer percussion was the dominant technique especially during the MPT period. Although bipolar knapping was adopted by early humans, it had a complementary role that showed flexibility in knapping skills and enhancement of cognitive abilities of early humans to overcome constraints imposed by different qualities of raw materials. Attribute analysis of cores and flakes showed that core reduction and flaking procedures improved during the MPT period. The high quality of chert was selected as the most favorable raw material for stone knapping in the Nihewan Basin. Not only the number of tool types increased and the degree of retouch methods diversified, but complexity of various types of small scrapers, points, bores, notches, denticulates and multi-edged small tools increased significantly over time. In addition, evidence of core rotation and bifacial working of small clasts across some of the Nihewan assemblages like the Madigou knappers indicate that hominins had the ability to fashion bifacial implements and potentially LCTs. It can be deduced that increased environmental fluctuation and paleoecological variability during the MPT may have contributed to technological flexibility and diversification in response to new climatic challenges. This paper provides new insights into the understanding of human behavioral adaptation that corresponded with environmental fluctuations from African to high-latitude arid-semi-arid regions in East Asia. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Teeth morphology of Han, Hui, Mongolia, Miao and Uyghur peoples in China ZHU Haige, QIAO Hui, YANG Chen, GUAN Haijuan, ZHANG Hang, WEN Shaoqing, XIA Bin, TAN Jingze Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2024, 43 (04): 613-628.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0050 Abstract （1323）   HTML （42）    PDF（pc） （2511KB）（1105）       Knowledge map    Save Studies showed that the dental morphological traits are mostly controlled by multiple genes, and environmental factors have a relatively small impact on them. Therefore, there are significant distribution differences in different geographical or ethnic groups. The formation of these differences is closely related to the origin and evolution of populations or ethnic groups in different regions, as well as the communication and integration between populations. It is of great significance for revealing the origin and evolution of populations and the relationships between populations. In this study, 26 dental morphological traits of Han Chinese, Hui, Mongolian, Miao, and Uyghur populations were analyzed. We conducted the side consistency analysis, gender difference analysis, correlation analysis between traits and ageto explore the characteristics of dental morphological traits in five populations. Based on the population frequency data, the dental morphological traits of the five populations were compared with other Chinese populations, Japanese populations, Northeast Asia populations, Southeast Asia populations, European populations and African populations by multivariate statistical analysis. We explored the group relationships between five Chinese populations and global populations, as well as the dental morphological traits of the five populations. Our results showed that there was no difference between left and right sides in most dental morphological traits of the five populations, no gender difference in all traits, most dental traits showed no significant correlation with age. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that results confirmed that there objectively exist two types of dental features called Sundadonty and Sinodonty. The Han Chinese in Taizhou belongs to Northeast Asia populations, and has a high frequency of Shoveling and Double Shoveling. The Miao in Guizhou is located between Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia populations, and the incidence of Shoveling is relatively high. The Mongolian in Inner Mongolia and Hui in Ningxia belong to Southeast Asian population by the principal component analysis and multidimensional scale analysis, but they are located between Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia populations, and are clustered with the Miao in Guizhou through the adjacency network diagram. The lower frequency of Shoveling and Double Shoveling of Mongolian and Hui are similar to the Southeast Asian population. The Uyghur population is located between the East Asian population, the European, and North African populations, and is closest to the Han Chinese in Taizhou. The high-frequency Shoveling, Double Shoveling, and low-frequency Y-Groove are very similar to the Northeastern Asian population, but the absolute high-frequency of the Cusp4 is similar to the European population, confirming that the Uyghur population is a typical Eurasian mixed population. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Research progress on the relationship between Paleolithic hominid activities and environmental changes in the Nihewan Basin ZHANG Zhen, WANG Ying, LI Yuecong Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2024, 43 (01): 184-198.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2024.0004 Abstract （952）   HTML （117）    PDF（pc） （4220KB）（1087）       Knowledge map    Save The Nihewan Basin in northern China has the largest number, densest distribution and most complete chronological sequence of Paleolithic hominid remains, and as such is an ideal region for the research on Paleolithic hominins and environment. Based on published data of 65 Paleolithic sites (groups) in the Yangyuan and Yuxian basins of the Nihewan, this paper discusses the relationship between Paleolithic hominid activities and environmental changes during Pleistocene. The results are as follows. 1. Sites of early Pleistocene mainly appeared 1.8 to 1.0 Ma BP, and were distributed in the northern margin area of the Cenjiawan platform. In the Middle Pleistocene (i.e., after 0.78 Ma BP), with reduction of the paleolake, the range of hominid sites expanded significantly from the Early Pleistocen. These sites were distributed not only in the southern margin of the Cenjiawan platform and the Yuxian basin, but also in the other margins of the ancient lake, such as the central and western parts of the Yangyuan basin. In the Late Pleistocene (i.e., after 0.126 Ma BP), the range of hominid sites further expanded, but with the gradual disappearance of the Nihewan paleolake and the formation of the Sanggan and Huliu rivers, the distribution pattern of sites changed to concentrate on the river terraces reflecting a dependence on water sources. 2. More than 80% of Early-Middle Pleistocene hominid sites correspond to the low Earth Orbit Eccentricity, and more than 70% sites correspond to the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) interglacial stage, which showed that the climate was relatively warm and with small fluctuations; suitable climate conditions for hominins. 3. During periods of hominin occupation, plant types are mostly steppe dominated by Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae, or forest-steppe dominated by Pinus, mixed with some broad-leaf tree species such as Betula, Ulmus and Quercus. The overall biodiversity was high, which provided not only rich food sources but also relatively wide spaces for hominin occupation. 4. In the Late Pleistocene, advances in stone technology and the use of fire, humans began to appear in later cold glacial periods. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Craniofacial morphology of human remains from the Zhanmatun site of the late Yangshao Period SUN Lei, LI Yanzhen, WU Zhijiang Acta Anthropologica Sinica    2023, 42 (03): 331-341.   DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2023.0012 Abstract （1152）   HTML （144）    PDF（pc） （1879KB）（1074）       Knowledge map    Save The Zhanmatun site is located in the southern suburb of Zhengzhou city, Henan Province, Shibalihe town. From 2009 to 2010, the Zhanmatun site was excavated by Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology with rich remains of the Qinwangzhai culture (3900 BC~2900 BC) were found in the western area of the site. To analyze the composition of human population of Qinwangzhai culture at the site, 45 relatively complete skulls (25 males, 20 females) were observed and measured. Craniofacial morphology of the skulls was compared with other skull groups of different archaeological cultures in prehistoric age by applying cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling of Euclidean distances. Results show that Zhanmatun craniofacial morphology is closest to skull groups of the Qinwangzhai culture in Zhengzhou, such as the Wanggou and Xishan group, and also has many similarities with the Xixiahou group of Dawenkou culture (4200 BC~2600 BC). All these skull groups in the Qinwangzhai and Dawenkou cultures show occipital deformation and tooth extraction. The Zhanmatun craniofacial morphology group differs greatly from groups in center distribution area of the Yangshao culture (4900BC~2700BC). The central distribution area of Yangshao culture and peripheral remains have different connotations and sources. The Qinwangzhai culture (or Dahe Village culture) belongs to these peripheral remains, mainly distributed in the central area of Henan with Songshan Mountain as its center. This may indicate that different archeological and cultural factors may be the reason for the great difference in skull groups in the two distribution areas. Moreover, it means that in about 3000 BC, the influence and expansion of Dawenkou culture on the Central Plains was not limited to the eastern and southeastern areas of Henan, and the spread of culture and migration of people had already extended to the central area of Henan where the Zhanmatun site is located. There are some differences between males and females in Zhanmatun, with males similar to the Longqiuzhuang group in Jianghuai, and females similar to the Jiangjialiang group in North China. The first reason is that the Dawenkou culture, Longqiuzhuang culture (6600~5000 BP) and Dahe village culture have a common source, namely the Peiligang culture (6200 BC~5500 BC). The second reason is that the ancient North China type represented by Jiangjialiang residents reflects genic and cultural exchanges between the ancient Central Plains type in the late Yangshao period and the original residents of the northern Great Wall area suggesting that the genes of the northern people were also mixed into the Zhanmatun population. On the whole, although craniofacial features of Zhanmatun group are mostly common, there are a few differences, and the population composition is of multi-origin and integration that is consistent with obvious characteristics of the complex and multiple factors of Qinwangzhai culture. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）