Morphometrical and Dental Pathological Studies on Skulls from Yin-Shang Period.

Three hundred and ninety eight skulls from the Yin-Shang period of China were investigated. The purpose of the present study is (1) to test inter-group difference in morphometrical characters since the samples were reported to be classified into several subgroups (YOUNG, 1985a, b); (2) to analyze the distribution pattern of dental disorders; (3) to find relationships between morphological characters and food culture.On the basis of preliminary examination, 186 male skulls from the six subgroups were selected for craniometric as well as roentgenographic cephalometric measurements and the examination of dental disorders.The results obtained are as follows: (1) statistically significant inter-group differences in morphometrics support YOUNG's initial classification of subgroups; (2) insignificant inter-group difference in dental disorders may suggest that there was no apparent dietary difference among subgroups; (3) it does not seem inducible that the dental disorders are modified by morphological characters; (4) a unique distribution pattern of dental caries in the subgroup II is likely to suggest life history different from those of the other subgroups; (5) the dominant reductive trend of lower face in the subgroup V may suggest their superiority in social status. Key Words Yin-Shang period, Skeletal remains, Craniometrics, Roentgenographic cephalometrics, Dental disorders