Kaszab Zoltán (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 63. (Budapest 1971)
Bottyán, O.: The variations of the palatum with respect to sexual dimorphism II.
ANNALES HISTORICO-NATURALES MUSEI NATIONALIS HUNGARICI Tomus 63. PARS ANTHROPOLOGICA 1971. The Variations oí the Palatum with Respect to Sexual Dimorphism II. Ry L. OLGA BOTTYÁN, Budapest I have discussed the variations of the palatal measurements, with respect to sexual dimorphism, in my paper published in the preceding volume of these Annals (1970a). The aim of the present contribution is an evaluation of the morphological observations concerning the palate. In these observations one should always keep in mind the fact that the data are obtained invariably subjectively, and this slightly decreases the reliability of comparison of the data submitted by the authors. Nor should the fact, on the other hand, be left out of consideration that it is in the science of anthropology that observations of a morphological character may have a decisive importance. Referring to WOOD JONES, TAYLOR too points out in one of his studies that be the measurements and indices read as cleverly as possible, they are unable to fix any given part of the skull in an exact manner, so that measurements and morphological observations should be handled concurrently in evaluation (TAYLOR, 1962). Cranial morphoscopic characteristics in anatomical literature are expounded (and not even as the first) by WOOD JONES (1931). These are suitable also for racial identification. According to this author, the assessment of observations of a morphological character is an extremely difficult task since the results derive from the estimations (subjective statements) of the given author. Even if author possesses adequate experience and if his consistency assures objective judgement as far as possibilities permit it within one series, still, after some time, he might easily deviate, when studying another series, from his views formed in the course of earlier investigations. That observations of a morphological character may result in extensive sources of error for the same author in his assessments —though repeated several times —concerning the same series, was discussed in my earlier publication treating the morphological characters of the palate itself (BOTTYÁN, 1970b). In the course of investigations of a morphological character, I have analysed and evaluated in the present paper the rate of ossification of the sutura incisiva, the occurrence and development of the torus palatínus, the form of the dental arc and the sutura palatina transversa, and the cases of occurrence of the anterior and posterior mediopalatal bone. For all these features, I am submitting the results obtained herein, with respect partly to sexual dimorphism, partly to age groups. Selection of the sample: material and method The sample consists of the skulls of adequately preserved larger series originating from localities in the Avar and Árpádian Epochs of the VI — XV centuries. (The other data of the sample, e.g. localities, are given in detail in my preceding publication; BOTTYÁN, 1970a).
