Crania patagónica

En Argentina, como en otros países, los restos óseos de distintas poblaciones humanas, en particular el cráneo, han sido el referente empírico tradicional de los estudios de la vieja Antropología Física y la nueva Antropología Biológica. Sin embargo, los estudios de Historia de la Ciencia nunca se basan en estas materialidades, sino más bien en los cambios teóricos y metodológicos. El objetivo del este trabajo es aportar elementos para entender la Historia de la Antropología a partir de las colecciones de cráneos y sus dimensiones materiales, intelectuales y políticas. A partir del estudio morfológico de Marcelo Bórmida sobre cráneos indígenas de la Patagonia se propone pensar las condiciones de posibilidad de la investigación en nuestro país. Se espera, finalmente, aportar una reflexión sobre cómo las restituciones de restos humanos desafían los objetivos tradicionales de nuestra disciplina.In Argentina, as well as in other countries, skeletal remains of different human groups, particularly the skull, have been the traditional material evidence used during both the old Physical and the new Biological Anthropologies. However, historical studies never focus on these materialities; but rather on theoretical and methodological changes. The goal of this study is to address some key insights about the History of Anthropology based upon cranial collections and their material, intellectual and political dimensions. The study of Marcelo Bórmida about Patagonian skulls is taken as reference in order to think about the conditions of possibility of research in our country. It is finally expected to provide some thoughts about how restitutions of human remains challenge the traditional goals of our discipline.Na Argentina, como em outros países, os restos esqueléticos de diferentes populações humanas, principalmente o crânio, têm sido a referência empírica tradicional dos estudos da antiga Antropologia Física e da nova Antropologia Biológica. No entanto, os estudos da história da ciência nunca se baseiam nessas materialidades, mas em mudanças teóricas e metodológicas. O objetivo deste trabalho é contribuir com elementos para entender a História da Antropologia a partir das coleções de caveiras e suas dimensões materiais, intelectuais e políticas. A partir do estudo morfológico de Marcelo Bórmida sobre crânios indígenas da Patagônia, propõe-se pensar nas condições para a possibilidade de pesquisa em nosso país. Espera-se, finalmente, fornecer uma reflexão sobre como a restituição de restos humanos desafia os objetivos tradicionais de nossa disciplina

Different cranial ontogeny in Europeans and Southern Africans

Modern human populations differ in developmental processes and in several phenotypic traits. However, the link between ontogenetic variation and human diversification has not been frequently addressed. Here, we analysed craniofacial ontogenies by means of geometric-morphometrics of Europeans and Southern Africans, according to dental and chronological ages. Results suggest that different adult cranial morphologies between Southern Africans and Europeans arise by a combination of processes that involve traits modified during the prenatal life and others that diverge during early postnatal ontogeny. Main craniofacial changes indicate that Europeans differ from Southern Africans by increasing facial developmental rates and extending the attainment of adult size and shape. Since other studies have suggested that native subsaharan populations attain adulthood earlier than Europeans, it is probable that facial ontogeny is linked with other developmental mechanisms that control the timing of maturation in other variables. Southern Africans appear as retaining young features in adulthood. Facial ontogeny in Europeans produces taller and narrower noses, which seems as an adaptation to colder environments. The lack of these morphological traits in Neanderthals, who lived in cold environments, seems a paradox, but it is probably the consequence of a warm-adapted faces together with precocious maturation. When modern Homo sapiens migrated into Asia and Europe, colder environments might establish pressures that constrained facial growth and development in order to depart from the warm-adapted morphology. Our results provide some answers about how cranial growth and development occur in two human populations and when developmental shifts take place providing a better adaptation to environmental constraints.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Different Cranial Ontogeny in Europeans and Southern Africans

Modern human populations differ in developmental processes and in several phenotypic traits. However, the link between ontogenetic variation and human diversification has not been frequently addressed. Here, we analysed craniofacial ontogenies by means of geometric-morphometrics of Europeans and Southern Africans, according to dental and chronological ages. Results suggest that different adult cranial morphologies between Southern Africans and Europeans arise by a combination of processes that involve traits modified during the prenatal life and others that diverge during early postnatal ontogeny. Main craniofacial changes indicate that Europeans differ from Southern Africans by increasing facial developmental rates and extending the attainment of adult size and shape. Since other studies have suggested that native subsaharan populations attain adulthood earlier than Europeans, it is probable that facial ontogeny is linked with other developmental mechanisms that control the timing of maturation in other variables. Southern Africans appear as retaining young features in adulthood. Facial ontogeny in Europeans produces taller and narrower noses, which seems as an adaptation to colder environments. The lack of these morphological traits in Neanderthals, who lived in cold environments, seems a paradox, but it is probably the consequence of a warm-adapted faces together with precocious maturation. When modern Homo sapiens migrated into Asia and Europe, colder environments might establish pressures that constrained facial growth and development in order to depart from the warm-adapted morphology. Our results provide some answers about how cranial growth and development occur in two human populations and when developmental shifts take place providing a better adaptation to environmental constraints

Developmental connections between cranial components and the emergence of the first permanent molar in humans

The age of emergence of the first molar (M1) is a developmental event correlated with many variables of primate life history, such as adult brain size. The evolution of human life history is characterized by the inclusion of childhood, which takes place between weaning and M1 emergence. Children still depend on adults for nutrition due to their small digestive system and their immature brains. By contrast, juveniles are not dependent because of M1 emergence, which enables shifting to adult type diet, and attainment of nearly adult brain size. In this study, developmental connections between M1 emergence and growth of cranial components were explored in two ways in order to understand the developmental basis of their evolutionary connections: (1) differences in growth trajectories of cranial components with respect to M1 emergence and (2) differences between individuals with and without fully emerged M1. Growth of anteroneural, midneural, posteroneural, otic, optic, respiratory, masticatory and alveolar cranial components was analysed in human skulls of individuals aged 0-20 years and in an adult reference skull. Volumetric indices were calculated to estimate size. Two subsamples were selected in order to focus on the transition between deciduous and permanent dentition: those with full deciduous dentition and before M1 reaches the occlusal plane; and those who present M1 in full emergence and no other cheek-tooth at the occlusal plane. The principal results were as follows. (1) Trajectories fitted using the whole sample are characterized by an inflection point that takes place before M1 emergence for neural components and around M1 emergence for facial components. (2) Associations between growth and age tend to be strong in those with full deciduous dentition, and weak in those who present M1 in full emergence. (3) Individuals who present M1 in full emergence are larger than those with full deciduous dentition. (4) Growth of components linked to the central nervous system is not linear until M1 emergence. Individuals who present M1 in full emergence are only larger than individuals with full deciduous dentition by 4-5% of adult size. (5) The alveolar component does not show increments between full deciduous dentition and M1 emergence. (6) When volumetric indices were standardized by age, the growth trajectories of individuals with full deciduous dentition and of those with M1 were not decoupled. In general terms, M1 emergence does not show a strong association with growth of the components that may explain differences in life histories. However, the main changes in neural and alveolar components occur in the first 3 years of life, which may be developmentally connected with M1 crown formation.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Developmental connections between cranial components and the emergence of the first permanent molar in humans

The age of emergence of the first molar (M1) is a developmental event correlated with many variables of primate life history, such as adult brain size. The evolution of human life history is characterized by the inclusion of childhood, which takes place between weaning and M1 emergence. Children still depend on adults for nutrition due to their small digestive system and their immature brains. By contrast, juveniles are not dependent because of M1 emergence, which enables shifting to adult type diet, and attainment of nearly adult brain size. In this study, developmental connections between M1 emergence and growth of cranial components were explored in two ways in order to understand the developmental basis of their evolutionary connections: (1) differences in growth trajectories of cranial components with respect to M1 emergence and (2) differences between individuals with and without fully emerged M1. Growth of anteroneural, midneural, posteroneural, otic, optic, respiratory, masticatory and alveolar cranial components was analysed in human skulls of individuals aged 0-20 years and in an adult reference skull. Volumetric indices were calculated to estimate size. Two subsamples were selected in order to focus on the transition between deciduous and permanent dentition: those with full deciduous dentition and before M1 reaches the occlusal plane; and those who present M1 in full emergence and no other cheek-tooth at the occlusal plane. The principal results were as follows. (1) Trajectories fitted using the whole sample are characterized by an inflection point that takes place before M1 emergence for neural components and around M1 emergence for facial components. (2) Associations between growth and age tend to be strong in those with full deciduous dentition, and weak in those who present M1 in full emergence. (3) Individuals who present M1 in full emergence are larger than those with full deciduous dentition. (4) Growth of components linked to the central nervous system is not linear until M1 emergence. Individuals who present M1 in full emergence are only larger than individuals with full deciduous dentition by 4-5% of adult size. (5) The alveolar component does not show increments between full deciduous dentition and M1 emergence. (6) When volumetric indices were standardized by age, the growth trajectories of individuals with full deciduous dentition and of those with M1 were not decoupled. In general terms, M1 emergence does not show a strong association with growth of the components that may explain differences in life histories. However, the main changes in neural and alveolar components occur in the first 3 years of life, which may be developmentally connected with M1 crown formation.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Los museos antropológicos y la mirada del cacique de una comunidad ranquel

Antropólogos y miembros de comunidades indígenas reflexionan sobre los restos mortales de aborígenes conservados en museos y sobre su devolución a los grupos que se consideran sus descendientes.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Héctor Mario Pucciarelli, 1939-2018

Semblanza biográfica del antropólogo platense Héctor Mario Pucciarelli.Asociación de Antropología Biológica de la República Argentin

Crania Patagónica. Uma abordagem material para os estudos antropológicos na Argentina

Desde los primeros estudios antropológicos el cráneo ha sido un referente empírico fundamental, para lo cual se formaron grandes colecciones procedentes de distintas sociedades humanas. Aún con renovadas teorías y metodologías, los estudios craneológicos se suceden hasta el presente. El objetivo de este trabajo es comprender cuáles fueron las condiciones de posibilidad de las investigaciones antropológicas en Argentina sobre esta temática. En primer lugar, analizo el estudio morfológico de Marcelo Bórmida sobre cráneos indígenas de la Patagonia, a través de los aspectos materiales, intelectuales y geopolíticos de la muestra utilizada. En segundo lugar, trazo algunos cambios teóricos, tecnológicos y políticos ocurridos en las últimas décadas, entre los que se encuentran la restitución de los restos humanos a los pueblos indígenas.Since the first anthropological studies, the skull has been a fundamental empirical reference. Due to this, a large amount of cranial collections derived from different human societies were created. Even with renewed theories and methodologies, craniological studies continue in present times. The goal of this paper is to understand the conditions of possibility of anthropological research regarding this subject in Argentina. Firstly, I analyze Marcelo Bórmida’s morphological study on indigenous skulls of Patagonia through the different sample, intellectual and geopolitical aspects of the sample he investigated. Secondly, I outline some theoretical, technological and political changes that have occurred in craniological studies in recent decades, among which I focus on the restitution of human remains to indigenous peoples.Desde os primeiros estudos antropológicos, o crânio tem sido uma referência empírica fundamental, para a qual foram formadas grandes coleções de diferentes sociedades humanas. Mesmo com teorias e metodologias renovadas, os estudos craniológicos continuam até hoje. O objetivo deste trabalho é compreender quais eram as condições de possibilidade da pesquisa antropológica na Argentina sobre o tema. Em primeiro lugar, analiso o estudo morfológico de Marcelo Bórmida sobre crânios indígenas da Patagônia, por meio das características materiais, intelectuais e geopolíticas da amostra analisada. Em segundo lugar, rastrearei algumas mudanças teóricas, tecnológicas e políticas que ocorreram nas últimas décadas, entre as quais a restituição de restos mortais aos povos indígenas.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Héctor Mario Pucciarelli, 1939-2018

Semblanza biográfica del antropólogo platense Héctor Mario Pucciarelli.Asociación de Antropología Biológica de la República Argentin

Los museos antropológicos y la mirada del cacique de una comunidad ranquel

Antropólogos y miembros de comunidades indígenas reflexionan sobre los restos mortales de aborígenes conservados en museos y sobre su devolución a los grupos que se consideran sus descendientes.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse