Factors influencing cranial variation between prehistoric Japanese forager populations

A study of Jomon prehistoric forager populations in northern Japan reveals that diet significantly influences cranial morphology, particularly in the neurocranium and temporalis region. Unlike global-scale human variation, where population history dominates, this research finds no clear pattern linked to population history among these sites. Using geometric morphometric methods, the study analyzed dietary groups based on archaeological differences, suggesting biomechanical adaptations tied to subsistence practices. However, it highlights the need for further experimental evidence to solidify these links. The findings underscore the nuanced effects of diet beyond the forager/farmer dichotomy and contribute to understanding the complex selective pressures shaping human phenotypes at regional scales.

Buck, L. T., Menéndez, L. P., De Groote, I., Hassett, B. R., Matsumura, H., & Stock, J. T. (2023). Factors influencing cranial variation between prehistoric Japanese forager populations. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-023-01901-6