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5. «Appearance algorithm» – the comprehensive program of craniofacial reconstruction

«Appearance algorithm» – the comprehensive program of craniofacial reconstruction

Veselovskaya E.V. (1, 2)

1) Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology RAS, Leninsky prospect, 32 a, Moscow, 119991, Russia; 2) Russian State University for Humanities, Miusskaya square, 6, Moscow, 125993, GSP-3, Russia

Veselovskaya Elizaveta V., PhD, DSc, associate professor, veselovskaya.e.v@yandex.ru.

Abstract

Introduction. Craniofacial reconstruction allows us to learn how people of the last eras looked. Russian scientist M.M. Gerasimov developed the scientific method of anthropological facial reconstruction that is now used in different areas of science and technology. Materials and methods. Based on large material we created a new program – “Appearance Algorithm” – that allows reconstructing sizes and descriptive characteristics of the head based on the corresponding skull parameters. About 2000 Caucasian, Mongoloid, and mixed people have been examined using a special program for anthropological reconstruction with palpation marking of skeletal points on the face. Research program also included analysis of anthropological photos. Measurements of the drawn orbits, heights and width of a palpebral fissure were carried out in such photos as absolute values are necessary for receiving the regression equations. Results. Part of the head sizes is calculated by adding soft facial tissue thickness to the cranial size. Other sizes are calculated using regression equations where an independent basis is a craniometric parameter. In this article indexes characterizing head proportions are presented. Indexes variations (big, medium, small) are presented for Caucasians and Mongolians for men and women separately. Reference of individual indexes values to categories allows creating the description of lifetime appearance. Compliance variants of qualitative descriptive characteristics of the head and skull are presented. Discussion. Use of the program “Appearance Algorithm” allows reconstructing the appearance of a number of different specific populations as well as lifetime head sizes and descriptive characteristics. Comparison of such results with the modern population can help in studying ethnogenesis, an adaptation of populations, epoch-making variability.

Keywords

ethnogenesis; anthropological facial reconstruction; face and skull morphology; descriptive portrait; Caucasian, Asian

DOI: 10.32521/2074-8132.2018.2.038-054

Цит.: Veselovskaya E.V. «Appearance algorithm» – the comprehensive program of craniofacial reconstruction // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2018; 2/2018; с. 38-54