A New Look at Old Data May Discredit a Theory on RaceABSTRACT - Pennsylvania State University anthropologist Dr Corey Sparks and University of Tennessee anthropologist Dr Richard Jantz, reporting in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, say reanalysis of data indicates that Franz Boas, founder of American anthropology, erred in saying environment influenced human head shape; photos (M) Two physical anthropologists have reanalyzed data gathered by Franz Boas, a founder of American anthropology, and report that he erred in saying environment influenced human head shape.
by Nicholas Wade
October 8, 2002
Boas's data, the two scientists say, show almost no such effect.
The reanalysis bears on whether craniometrics, the measurement of skull shape, can validly identify ethnic origin. As such, it may prompt a re-evaluation of the definition of human races and of ancient skulls like that of Kennewick Man.
"I have used Boas's study to fight what I guess could be considered racist approaches to anthropology," said Dr. David Thomas, curator of anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. "I have to say I am shocked at the findings."
This guy is wrong. One can influence the shape of the head, and not just by mechanical shaping. Read Adelle Davis’ “Let’s Have Healthy Children”. She points out that inadequate Vitamin D has a definite influence on head and face development in infants and children. My mother had very narrow jaw structure and severe tooth crowding. I had narrow jaw structure and tooth crowding. My oldest son was born with a nice square rather than elongated head, but as he got older it began to become more narrow. At that point I happened to read Adelle Davis’ book and began to give him extra Vitamin D. In a few months his face began to broaden out again. This occurred around the end of his first year of life. From my mother to me to my son we also have decreasing levels of nearsightedness, which also is affected by bone structure. So, if you have narrow faces, crowded teeth and are nearsighted, I urge you to have your children and grandchildren consume plenty of cod liver oil, or Vitamin D capsules while infants and children.
Anthropologists refer to “brachycephalic” broad, and “dolicocephalic” narrow heads. I now am of the opinion that these racial differences can in some cases be caused by dietary, climatic, and pigmentation differences, but have never been evaluated in those terms.