Global human mandibular variation reflects differences in agricultural and hunter-gatherer subsistence strategies

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences • Vol/Iss. 108(49) • National Academy of Sciences • Washington, D.C • Published In • Pages: 19546-19551 •
By von Cramon-Taubadel, Noreen

Abstract

The researchers test the relationship between global mandibular morphology variation and susbsistence economy, population history, geography, and climate. While some mandibular variation is significantly correlated with geography, the most significant relationship is with subsistence activity. The strength of the relationship leads the authors to speculate on how masticatory behavior might have affected jaw shape, either through stress, weaning behavior, or other demographic factors.
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