Metrical Distinctiveness of Indian Crania Demonstrated through Stepwise Multivariate Classification

Abstract

Our previous metrical study of Indian crania from across the South Asian subcontinent found great variability within all of the series, combined with average trends whereby the Indian series resemble each other and contrast with series outside of South Asia. This contribution confirms the craniometric distinctiveness of Indian crania, notwithstanding their intra-series variability, through stepwise discriminant function analysis of the six best sampled series from northern and South India. The proportion of crania from places beyond South Asia classified as Indian is negligible, while over 90% of Indian crania are correctly identified as Indian. This correct identification of Indian crania is enhanced amongst those specimens whose possession of pronouncedly Indian craniometric attributes is revealed through index analysis. By extrapolation, index analysis may also assist the correct classification of non-Indian populations that also are craniometrically distinct. Further, Indians’ craniometric distinctiveness aligns with genetic evidence for the predominantly indigenous ancestry of Indians who speak Indo-Aryan and especially Dravidian languages.