Question 1

Later the nasal area of the above skull is found that has a Category 1 Inferior Nasal Aperature. Considering both structures, what is its most likely ancestral group?

Accepted Answer

The combination of a Category 1 Inferior Nasal Aperture, which typically indicates a narrower nasal opening, along with the context of the question suggesting the analysis of skeletal features for ancestral determination, points towards an individual of Black or African ancestry. This is because certain skeletal features, including the shape and size of the nasal aperture, are used in forensic anthropology to help estimate ancestry, and these features can vary statistically among different populations.

Question 2

A femur is discovered that has an anteriorly curving shaft, mild torsion of the head and neck, and an intercondylar shelf of around 150. What is the most likely ancestral group of this individual?

Accepted Answer

The described femur characteristics, such as an anteriorly curving shaft and mild torsion of the head and neck, are typically associated with individuals of European descent, which corresponds to the "White" ancestral group.

Question 3

The upper jaw from a human skull is retrieved from a fire and its dental arch is rounded, with shovel-shaped incisors. What is the most likely ancestral group of this individual?

Accepted Answer

The rounded dental arch and shovel-shaped incisors are common traits of Asian populations. This suggests that the individual is likely of Asian ancestry. The other choices cannot be determined based on these traits alone as they are not exclusive to any one group.

Question 4

A skull is discovered with a low nasal bridge, wide face, projecting lower border of the eye, and small browridges. What is the most likely ancestral group of this individual?

Accepted Answer

The combination of a low nasal bridge, wide face, projecting lower border of the eye, and small browridges is characteristic of Mongoloid or Asian populations.

Question 5

A skull is discovered with a sharp lower border of the nose, straight facial profile, heavy browridges and spatulate upper incisors. What is the most likely ancestral group of this individual?

Accepted Answer

The sharp lower border of the nose, straight facial profile, heavy browridges and spatulate upper incisors are all characteristics of the White ancestral group.

Question 6

A skull is discovered with a sharp lower border of the nose, large nasal spine, projecting nasal bridge and narrow nose. What is the most likely ancestral group of this individual?

Accepted Answer

These characteristics are most commonly associated with individuals of European (White) descent, reflecting adaptations to colder climates.

Question 7

A skull is discovered with a sharp lower border of the nose, medium nasal spine, low nasal bridge and circular eye orbits. What is the most likely ancestral group of this individual?

Accepted Answer

These characteristics are most consistent with typical Asian ancestral cranial features, such as circular eye orbits and a low nasal bridge.

Question 8

A skull is discovered with a dull lower border of the nose, large nasal spine, low nasal bridge and pronounced jut of the jaw. What is the most likely ancestral group of this individual?

Accepted Answer

The description of a dull lower border of the nose, large nasal spine, low nasal bridge and pronounced jut of the jaw is characteristic of individuals of African descent. Therefore, the most likely ancestral group of this individual is Black.

Question 9

Which part of the cranial skeleton is most useful for attributing ancestry?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which part of the cranial skeleton is...

Question 10

A skull is discovered with a femur. The Maxillofrontal Index is 25, the Zygoorobitral Index is 20 and an the Alpha Index is 40 while the Platymeric Index is 70. What is the most likely ancestral group of this individual?

Accepted Answer

The Maxillofrontal Index (MFI) and Zygoorobitral Index (ZRI) are commonly used to determine the racial ancestry of a skull with a femur. A high MFI indicates a more projecting mid-facial region, which is seen more frequently in Native American populations. A low ZRI indicates a more rectangular (as opposed to triangular) shape to the orbit, which is also seen more frequently in Native Americans. The Alpha Index and Platymeric Index are not commonly used in ancestry determination.

Question 11

A femur has a Platymeric Index of 70 and a negative value from the Platymeric Index discriminant function. What is the most likely ancestral group of this individual?

Accepted Answer

The Platymeric Index is a measure of the curvature of the femur, and a Platymeric Index of 70 indicates a relatively straight femur. The negative value from the Platymeric Index discriminant function suggests an ancestral group that is not of European descent. Native American populations tend to have relatively straight femurs, so the most likely ancestral group for this individual is Native American.

Question 12

A partial skull is found that contains only the eye orbits, which are spaced widely apart. What is its most likely ancestral group?

Accepted Answer

The question refers to anthropological characteristics, and wide spacing of the eye orbits is a trait that has been observed in skulls of ancestral groups identified as "Black" or of African descent. This characteristic is used in forensic anthropology to help determine the ancestry of skeletal remains.

Question 13

A lower jaw is found that has a rounded chin, vertical ascending ramus, enamel extensions on the molars, and a tuft of black hair. What is the most likely ancestral group of this individual?

Accepted Answer

The presence of enamel extensions on the molars suggests that this individual is a member of the Homo erectus species, which is believed to have originated in Asia. Additionally, the vertical ascending ramus and rounded chin are features commonly found in Asian populations. The tuft of black hair is not particularly useful in determining ancestral group, as hair color can vary widely among individuals within any given population.

Question 14

A lower jaw is found that has a pointed chin, a slanted ascending ramus, and a no enamel extensions on the molars. What is the most likely ancestral group of this individual?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A lower jaw is found that has...

Question 15

A lower jaw is found with a femur; the chin is rounded and the Platymeric Index discriminant function value is negative. What is the most likely ancestral group of this individual?

Accepted Answer

The negative Platymeric Index discriminant function value suggests that the individual likely had a robust, squared jaw characteristic of Native American populations. The presence of a femur also indicates that this individual was bipedal, which is a trait shared by all human populations. However, the combination of the jaw and the negative discriminant function value strongly points towards a Native American ancestry.

Question 16

A male skull is found and measured so that discriminant functions can be used to determine race. If the White versus Black function indicates White and the White versus Native American function indicates Native American, what is the most likely ancestral group of this individual?

Accepted Answer

The individual is most likely Native American based on the fact that the White versus Native American function indicated Native American, which is a more specific and reliable function for determining ancestry compared to the more general White versus Black function.

Question 17

A female skull is found and measured so that discriminant functions can be used to determine race. The values calculate to 85 on the White-Black scale and 125 on the White-Native American scale. What is the most likely ancestral group of this individual?

Accepted Answer

The discriminant function scores indicate the skull is closest to the White group, as the scores are used to determine the distance from each group, with lower scores indicating closer affinity.

Question 18

A skull is found with a Maxillofrontal Index of 50, Zygoorobitral Index of 45 and an Alpha Index of 70. What is the most likely race of this individual?

Accepted Answer

The Maxillofrontal Index, Zygoorbital Index, and Alpha Index are anthropometric measurements used to determine racial characteristics of a skull. A Maxillofrontal Index of 50, Zygoorbital Index of 45, and an Alpha Index of 70 are most consistent with characteristics often found in skulls of White (Caucasian) individuals. These indices relate to the breadth of the face, the distance between the cheekbones, and the nasal index, respectively, which vary among different racial groups.

Question 19

A femur has a straight shaft, mild torsion of the head and neck, a Platymeric Index of 90 and a positive value from the Platymeric Index discriminant function. What is the most likely ancestral group of this individual?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A femur has a straight shaft, mild...

Question 20

When a decomposed body is found and before any analysis is done, what is its least likely ancestry?

Accepted Answer

Native American ancestry is the least likely to be immediately recognizable from skeletal remains or decomposed bodies due to their genetic and phenotypic diversity, which can sometimes resemble other racial groups. Therefore, it is more difficult to identify Native American ancestry without further analysis such as DNA testing or morphology.

Quiz 7: Attribution of Ancestry