craniometry
Measuring head bones
Craniometry is the measurement of skulls—their size, shape, and proportions.
The practice developed in the 19th century as part of physical anthropology and was used to classify human populations by race.
Though presented as objective science, craniometry was largely employed to support theories of racial hierarchy and white supremacy.
The field is now discredited, though skull measurement retains limited use in forensic identification.
Head's bone casing
- calvariaTop of skull
- mandibleLower facial bone
- maxillaUpper jaw bone
- frontal boneSkull plate above eyes
parietal · temporal · occipital · sphenoid · ethmoid · sutures · orbit · nasal
Categorizing humans by perceived ancestry
- ethnologyComparative study of peoples
- eugenicsControlled human reproduction theory
- scientific racismPseudoscience justifying ethnic hierarchy
- racial classificationGrouping by ancestry or ethnicity
Adjustable-jaw measuring device
- circumferenceCircle's outer measurement
- diameterDistance across through center
- baselineStandard for comparison
- landmarkNotable point of reference
calibration · precision · millimeter · gauge · scale · metric · protractor · sagittal
Establishing who someone is
- sex determinationEstablishing male or female status
- forensic anthropologySkeletal analysis for legal cases
- osteologyScientific study of bones
- postmortemExamination after death
Scientific name for humans
- NeanderthalExtinct archaic human species
- Homo erectusExtinct bipedal human ancestor
- AustralopithecusExtinct hominin genus
- fossil recordRemains documenting prehistoric life
human evolution · hominin · brain size · paleoanthropology · comparative anatomy · hominid
skull
Head's bone casing
frontal bone · parietal · temporal · occipital · sphenoid · ethmoid · sutures · orbit · nasal · vertex
racial typology
Categorizing humans by perceived ancestry
- ethnologyComparative study of peoples
- eugenicsControlled human reproduction theory
- scientific racismPseudoscience justifying ethnic hierarchy
brachycephalic
Having a broad, flattened skull
- skull shapeConfiguration of head bones
calipers
Adjustable-jaw measuring device
- circumferenceCircle's outer measurement
- diameterDistance across through center
- baselineStandard for comparison
landmark · calibration · precision · millimeter · gauge · scale · metric · protractor · sagittal · coronal
identification
Establishing who someone is
- sex determinationEstablishing male or female status
- forensic anthropologySkeletal analysis for legal cases
- osteologyScientific study of bones
Homo sapiens
Scientific name for humans
- NeanderthalExtinct archaic human species
- Homo erectusExtinct bipedal human ancestor
- AustralopithecusExtinct hominin genus
fossil record · human evolution · hominin · brain size · paleoanthropology · comparative anatomy · hominid
craniometrypsychometrics
Psychological measurement science
behavioral assessment · cognitive testing · IQ testing · aptitude testing · social psychology
geometry, cranium, cranial, metrology, intracranial, craniotomy, craniosacral, cranially, epicranium