Mesolithic and Chalcolithic Mandibular Morphology: Using Geometric Morphometrics to Reconstruct Incomplete Specimens and Analyse Morphology

Abstract Human skeletal remains are routinely used to examine cultural and biological aspects of past populations. Yet, archaeological specimens frequently fragmented/incomplete so excluded from analyses. This leads decreased sample sizes potentially biased results. Digital methods now restore/estimate the original morphology specimens. Such include 3D digitisation Geometric Morphometrics (GM). The latter is also a solidly established method morphology. In this study, we use GM-based estimate incomplete Mesolithic Chalcolithic mandibles originating present Portugal perform ensuing morphological Because mandibular known relate population history diet, hypothesised two samples would differ. Thirty-seven (12 complete 25 incomplete) were CT-scanned landmarked. Originally as reference location absent anatomical landmarks in As predicted, our results show shape differences between which likely due compounded effect contrasting histories diets.