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Population Affinities of 19th Century Cuban Crania: Implications for Identification Criteria in South Florida Cuban Americans

NCJ Number
203990
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 49 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2004 Pages: 11-16
Author(s)
Ann H. Ross Ph.D.; Dennis E. Slice Ph.D.; Douglas H. Ubelaker Ph.D.; Anthony B. Falsetti Ph.D.
Date Published
January 2004
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on a pilot study of the among-sample morphological variation of modern 19th Century Cubans, Precontact Cubans, 17th Century Spanish people, and Terry Blacks; the intent of the study was to increase the understanding of the biological variation of Cuban Americans, so as to facilitate the development of identification criteria specific to this U.S. hybrid Hispanic community.
Abstract
The study used 4 samples that totaled 77 individuals. Males and females were pooled in order to incorporate all of the observed biological variation within a population. A total of 23 homologous craniofacial landmarks were selected to reflect the among-group variation. Findings indicate that modern Cubans manifest a strong African morphological affinity, followed by a Spanish component. This is not unexpected, given the settlement history of Cuba that dates back to the Spanish conquest. More surprising, however, is the dissimilarity to Precontact Cubans, reflecting a dissimilar ancestry. The study concluded that modern Cubans have little or no indigenous Amerindian biological affinity, unlike modern Mexicans. In addition, Mexican and Cuban crania features should differ, because Mexican crania lack the African affinity. The study results indicate that the use of an umbrella term such as "Hispanic" is not sufficiently detailed and specific when identification from human remains is involved. The regional or geographic morphological variation in "Hispanic" populations requires the development of specific criteria according to these variations. For the South Florida Latin population, this means developing criteria that reflect the biological variation of Cuban Americans. 7 figures, 3 tables, and 12 references