An examination of biological variation in Lower Pecos and Central Texas human populations: the odontometric evidence

Abstract

The dental remains of one hundred twenty-three individuals from Lower Pecos and Central Texas were analyzed. Buccolingual and mesiodistal measurements were taken and subjected to univariate and multivariate statistics to determine the degree of variation between the populations. Available data was limited but spanned the Early, Middle, and Late Archaic as well as the Late Prehistoric periods. Small sample sizes prohibited temporal analyses and, as a result, all data were lumped and considered regardless of the period of deposition. Moderate differences between the populations were detected using discriminant analysis. Using the function obtained, group membership was correctly predicted in sixty-nine percent of the cases. Coefficients of variation (CV) were also calculated. Central Texas individuals displayed greater variability than Lower Pecos individuals. Possible interpretations include greater rates of genetic exchange and/or better nutrition in the Central Texas population.