Original article

The endocranial cast of a 10 ka intentionally deformed human cranium from China

Yin Qiyu, Li Qiang, Ma Ming, Zhang Wei and Ni Xijun

Cite this article: Yin Qiyu, Li Qiang, Ma Ming, Zhang Wei and Ni Xijun, 2022. The endocranial cast of a 10 ka intentionally deformed human cranium from China. MorphoMuseuM 8:169. doi: 10.18563/journal.m3.169

Save to Mendeley
Save to BibTeX

Abstract

This contribution contains the 3D model of an endocranial cast analyzed in “A 10 ka intentionally deformed human skull from Northeast Asia”. There are many studies on the morphological characteristics of intentional cranial deformation (ICD), but few related 3D models were published. Here, we present the surface model of an intentionally deformed 10 ka human cranium for further research on ICD practice. The 3D model of the endocranial cast of this ICD cranium was discovered near Harbin City, Province Heilongjiang, Northeast China. The fossil preserved only the frontal, parietal, and occipital bones. To complete the endocast model of the specimen, we printed a 3D model and used modeling clay to reconstruct the missing part based on the general form of the modern human endocast morphology.
  

Specimens and 3D Data

Homo sapiens IVPP-PA1616 View specimen

	M3#972 The frontal region of the endocast is flattened, probably formed by the constant pressure on the frontal bone during growth. There is a well-developed frontal crest on the endocranial surface. The endocast widens posteriorly from the frontal lobe. The widest point of the endocast is at the lateral border of the parietal lobe. The lower parietal areas display a marked lateral expansion. The overall shape of the endocast is asymmetrical, with the left side of the parietal lobe being more laterally expanded than the right side. Like the frontal lobe, the occipital lobe is also anteroposteriorly flattened. Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.972   state:published	Download 3D surface file
	M3#976 The original endocranial cast model (with texture) of IVPP-PA1616. It shows the original structures of the specimen, and was not altered in any way. Type: "3D_surfaces" doi: 10.18563/m3.sf.976   state:published	Download 3D surface file

Bibliography

Beaudet, A., Clarke, R. J., de Jager, E. J., Bruxelles, L., Carlson, K. J., Crompton, R., de Beer, F., Dhaene, J., Heaton, J. L., Jakata, K., Jashashvili, T., Kuman, K., McClymont, J., Pickering, T. R., Stratford, D., 2019. The endocast of StW 573 (“Little Foot”) and hominin brain evolution. Journal of Human Evolution 126, 112-123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2018.11.009.

Dean, V., 1995. Sinus and meningeal vessel pattern changes induced by artificial cranial deformation: A pilot study. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology 5, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1002/oa.1390050102.

Dean, V., 1996. Comparative endocranial vascular changes due to craniosynostosis and artificial cranial deformation. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 101(3), 369-385. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1096-8644(199611)101:3<369::AID-AJPA6>3.0.CO;2-U.

Neubauer, S., Gunz, P., Leakey, L., Leakey, M., Hublin, J.-J., Spoor, F., 2018. Reconstruction, endocranial form and taxonomic affinity of the early Homo calvaria KNM-ER 42700. Journal of Human Evolution 121, 25-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2018.04.005.

Tubbs, R. S., Salter, G., Oakes, W., 2006. Artificial deformation of the human skull: A review. Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.) 19, 372-377. 10.1002/ca.20177.

Yin, Q., Li, Q., Zhang, H., Ma, N., Zhang, W., Ni, X., 2020. A 10 ka intentionally deformed human skull from Northeast Asia. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology n/a(n/a) https://doi.org/10.1002/oa.3104.

Zollikofer, C. P. E., De León, M. S. P., 2013. Pandora's growing box: Inferring the evolution and development of hominin brains from endocasts. Evolutionary Anthropology: Issues, News, and Reviews 22(1), 20-33. https://doi.org/10.1002/evan.21333.