Neurocranial shape variation among Tarascan populations: Evidence for varying degrees in artificially modified crania in pre‐Hispanic West Mexico (1200–1400 AD)

Abstract

Introduction: Along the Mesoamerican western margin, the Zacapu basin has yielded a large number of human remains demonstrating usage of artificial cranial modification (ACM). However, at the onset of the Middle Postclassic (1200-1400 AD) only few individuals still exhibit clear signs of ACM. Some authors have suggested that, rather than disappearing entirely, ACM may have become less visible anatomically, making it difficult to identify based on simple visual analyses. Here, we used 3D geometric morphometric methods to investigate the extent to which ACM persisted during the Postclassic in this region. Materials and methods: We measured the 3D vault's shape changes in a sample of surface-scanned human crania: 55 individuals from the Postclassic Zacapu basin and a control group of 31 individuals from a Huichol Mexican Indian sample and a French medieval series from La Granède. We used a principal component analysis to explore the shape variation within the sample and employed the neighbor joining method to identify morphological groups. Finally, we quantified each individual's asymmetry. Results: We identified three groups displaying shape features diverging from those of the control group. The first group is characterized by marked fronto-obelionic ACM, whereas the other two show mild forms of ACM. The individuals in all three groups display moderate to high degrees of asymmetry compared to the control group. Discussion: The marked fronto-obelionic modification is clear evidence of a specific ACM technique. The two types of mild ACM most likely result from different techniques but their moderate degree of modification brings into question the intentions behind their production. K E Y W O R D S 3D geometric morphometrics, artificial cranial modification, asymmetry, Mesoamerican Archaeology

Tracing craniovascular traits in artificially modified pre‐Columbian crania from Cuba, the largest Caribbean archipelago

“…The DVS results indicate that the asymmetric patterns (type B and C) were common. The SSS communication, either with the right or left TS, might be influenced by the asymmetric development of the occipital lobes due to ACM (Boman et al, 2016; Natahi et al, 2019). The SSS traces were light at the CS, and both the TS and SS were marked.…”

“…The Spanish chronicled intentional head shaping among the native population, including the techniques and materials used (de las Casas, 1875). Previous research indicates that ACM was performed after birth and lasted throughout early childhood when the cranial bones are still flexible and easier to manipulate (Natahi, Coquerelle, Pereira, & Bayle, 2019; Tiesler, 2014). For the fronto‐occipital tabular oblique ACM, the head was tightly encircled with bandages and secured between two boards, one on the occipital bone and the other on the frontal.…”

Special Section Introduction: Introducing Zacapu archaeology and the Uacusecha project

“…The implementation of a soil-sampling protocol for the systematic extraction of archaeobotanical remains, moreover, has resulted in the development of carpological and anthracological analyses (Elliott and Pereira 2015). Human remains have been studied and are still undergoing studies related to morphology (Natahi 2019; Natahi et al 2019), bone modifications related to activities and pathologies (ongoing analysis conducted by I. Barrientos, UNAM), isotopic signatures (analyses of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen carried out by A. Manin, Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, and of strontium by D. Price, University of Wisconsin, as part of the ANR Mésomobile Project), and paleogenetics (analyses conducted by X. Roca Rada as part of a Ph.D. dissertation under the direction of B. Llamas, University of Adelaide). Finally, a program of radiocarbon (AMS) and archaeomagnetic dating (sampling of the hearths and the analyses were carried out by A. Chauvin and M. Gómez-Paccard, University of Rennes) has been carried out in order to improve occupation sequence resolution of all four Malpaís urban settlements sites (Pereira et al 2021).…”