Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin

Variability of head and face measurements of mature and elderly Chuvashian males. Part I. Adult male

Maurer A.M.

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Anuchin Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Mochovaya st., 11, Moscow, 125009, Russia

Maurer Andrey, PhD, foto-rer@yandex.ru.

Abstract

Introduction. The article introduces into scientific discourse data on the variability of quantitative characteristics of head and face of adult male Chuvashes. The main purpose of the study is to assess the variability of these characteristics in the Chuvashian samples from Chuvashia and Bashkiria. Materials and methods. 393 Chuvash men from Chuvashia and 347 Chuvash men from Bashkiria were examined. Research program included 14 measurements, three indices (cephalic, facial, and nasal) and two calculated characteristics (forehead height and height of the lower segment of the face). The variance analysis (ANOVA) of morphological traits (organized according to ontogenetic cohorts) in those populations was also undertaken. Then a pairwise comparison according to the Scheffe method was performed. For comparison between populations Student’s t-test was used. Results. Variability patterns of the cephalometric measuring traits in three age intervals are described. In the age range of 21-35 years group mean values of the transverse diameter of the head, cephalic index, physiognomic height of the face, forehead height, nasal width, mouth width, upper lip height, thickness of both lips are statistically and significantly increased in comparison with those values in the age range of 36-60 years and the age range of 60-74 years. The nasal index, nasal and mouth widthes, the upper lip height show an increase with age. In the age range of 21-35 years, the sample from Chuvashia in comparison with that from Bashkortostan demonstrates significantly higher mean values of longitudinal and lateral diameters and head circumference, nasal index, minimal forehead width, zygomatic and mandibular diameters, the morphological height of the face, nasal and mouth widths. In the interval of 36-60 years, there is a noticeable reduction in the number of dissimilar parameters: there are differences in the transverse and mandibular diameters, the head index and the thickness of both lips. In the category «60–74» some increase in the number of dissimilar parameters was revealed: in the male sample from Chuvashia in comparison with the group from Bashkortostan, mean values of the transverse diameter of the head, the head index, the minimal forehead width and mandibular diameter, nasal height, mouth width. Elderly Chuvashes of Bashkiria are characterized by increased values of the face’s lower segment and of the upper lip height. Conclusion. For the male sample from Chuvashia, a statistical significant increase in the values of most of the dimensional cephalometric characteristics were recorded. In the age cohort «36-60» the decrease of the spectrum of indicators differentiating Chuvash populations is revealed. The phenomenon of brachycephalia in both Chuvash male samples has been confirmed.

Keywords

anthropology; cephalometric characters; head measurements; face measurements; the male sample; Chuvashs; Chuvashia; Bashkiria

DOI: 10.32521/2074-8132.2018.2.026-037

Цит.: Maurer A.M. Variability of head and face measurements of mature and elderly Chuvashian males. Part I. Adult male // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2018; 2/2018; с. 26-37

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